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The Macchi Folgore (Italian “thunderbolt“), Regia Aeronautica main fighter of WW2, was an Italian fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by Macchi Aeronautica. It was operated mainly by the Regia Aeronautica (RA; Royal (Italian) Air Force) in and around the Second World War. According to aviation author David Mondey, the Folgore has been considered to be one of the best wartime fighters to serve in large numbers with the Regia Aeronautica. The was designed by a team headed by the company's chief of design, Italian aeronautics engineer Mario Castoldi. As per company tradition, Macchi aircraft designed by Mario Castoldi received the “C“ letter in their model designation, hence the Folgore is commonly referred to as the or . The was a development of the earlier Saetta, powered by an Italian-built version of the German Daimler-Benz DB 601Aa engine and featuring a redesigned fuselage for greater streamlining. During July 1941, the Folgore went into service with the Regia Aeronautica. In combat, it very quickly proved itself to be an effective and deadly dogfighter against its contemporaries. During its service life, the was deployed on all fronts in which Italy was involved. During late 1941, it commenced offensive operations over Malta and in North Africa, where Italian and German forces were engaged in heavy combat against British and later American operations. The continued to be used in North Africa as late as mid-1943, by which point the type was withdrawn to support defensive efforts in Sicily and the Italian mainland following their invasion by Allied forces. It also saw limited use on the Eastern Front. Following the 1943 Armistice with Italy, the type was mostly used as a trainer aircraft. It was also operated by Croatia. During mid-1942, in North Africa, the Folgore achieved a ratio kill/loss better than that of the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The Australian ace Clive Caldwell, who fought a wide variety of German, Italian and Japanese fighters during 1941–45, later stated that the was “one of the best and most undervalued of fighters“. Colorized, digitalized, stabilized, AI enhanced. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [** ☀️ Subscribe to support the channel ☀️ **] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Credits -- 🔗 - Source: 1. - Archivio Luce = 2. - Archivio Aeronautica Militare Italiana (Italian Air Force) = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***Copyright fair use notice*** All media used in this video is used for the purpose of education under the terms of fair use. All footage and images used belong to their copyright holders, when applicable. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #military #footage #aviation #deoldify #historical #macchi #macchi202 #folgore #color #colour #regia #aeronautica #italian #air #force #202 #regiaaeronautica #colorized #ww2 #historical #videos #vintage #enhanced #footage #history #combat
