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Tu-1 Pack
This page is about the Italian fighter C. 202EC. For other versions, see C. 202 (Family).

C. 202EC
C. 202 C. 205 serie 1

Italy II Rank

Battle rating: Class:

Fighter
AB RB SB
Description 3.3 3.7 3.0

The C. 202EC is a rank II Italian fighter Research: Purchase:

with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB), 3.7 (RB),
and 3.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update
11 000 38 000
1.69 "Regia Aeronautica" alongside the
initial Italian aviation tree. The "EC" in the Show in game
name stands for Esperimento Cannoni or
Experimental Cannons.

The Folgore (Lightning) is a solid plane for its battle

rating, especially in AB where its performance is
exaggerated. With a decent climb rate when spaded, high
Contents
top speed, good roll rate, solid energy retention, and two
powerful MG 151's that have access to the dreaded 1 Description
German Minengeschoß round, this plane is devastating in 2 General info
the right hands. 2.1 Flight performance
2.1.1 Details
However, one major issue the Folgore has is that it is 2.2 Survivability and armour
hard to use for inexperienced players. The Folgore is a 2.3 Modifications and economy
plane that does not allow for any mistakes. If you let its 3 Armaments
good performance get to your head, the only thing you'll 3.1 Offensive armament
get out of it is a burning Italian fighter. This is a plane 4 Usage in battles
that requires a high skill ceiling and a smart pilot to 4.1 Specific enemies worth noting
unlock its full potential. 4.2 Manual Engine Control
4.3 Pros and cons
The second major issue the Folgore has is that the twin
Breda SAFAT's have low damage output. It needs quite 5 History
an extended burst of fire to deal decent amount of 6 Media
damage. Furthermore, the Breda SAFAT's damage 7 See also
potential drops off when fired at ranges further than 300 8 External links
meters. This poor secondary armament also makes it less 8.1 References
then optimal at engaging bombers and heavy fighters.
The consensus by the community is that the best belts are Anti-Air, Tracer or Stealth for the 12.7 mm's, and
Stealth or Air Targets for the 20 mm MG 151/20s. These tend to do the most damage.

While neither of these are crippling, they are something to keep in mind, especially due to the punishing
nature of the plane.

In AB, the Folgore truly shines. A boosted flight model and increased performance make it a monster of a
plane that any player should watch out for.

General info
Flight performance

Max speed
at 5 000 m 571 km/h

Turn time 20 s

Max altitude 11 500 m

Engine Alfa Romeo R.A.1000 RC.41

Type Inline
Cooling system Water

Take-off weight 3t

In essence very similar to the Bf 109 F with gunpods: Great climb rate and acceleration and with good top
speed and turn rate. Yet the 20 mm gunpods dampen all positive aspects, performance was definitively
traded in for firepower. Dive performance is great, yet the control surfaces lock up hard above 600 km/h
IAS. So leave plenty of space to pull out of a dive, it reaches said speeds rather quickly! Even so the locked
controls prevent G-force failure of wings - a blessing in disguise for many new inexperienced RB/SB pilots.
Energy retention in Zooms is good, too. This however, is mostly due to the aforementioned climb rate which
is engine enabled. A damaged engine guts and severely hinders most flight characteristics.

Like its German brother in heart the Folgore also features several downsides: The engine torque is
significant and will roll the aircraft to the side when performing any kind of manoeuvre. Note the slightly
longer left wing to at least neuter this effect in level flight, unlike the Bf 109 pilots who will have to
permanently trim their ailerons on the runway. Further aiming and aligning yourself to the target can thusly
be rather difficult, as the craft will twitch and shift significantly. As usual lead in deflection shots are the
easiest approach. The control lock up was already mentioned and must always be considered. The C. 202EC
has a mediocre turn and climb rate and suffers from engine overheating.
 Max
Speed Max Turn time Rate of climb Take-
Characteristics (km/h at altitude (seconds) (metres/second) off run
5,000 m) (metres) (metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB

Stock 549 530 21.1 21.9 10.4 10.4

11500 350
Upgraded 595 571 18.9 20.0 17.1 13.4

Details

Features

Combat Take-off Landing Air Arrestor

flaps flaps flaps brakes gear

✓ ✓ ✓ X X

Limits

Max
Flaps (km/h)
Wings Gear Static G
(km/h) (km/h) Take-
Combat Landing + -
off

0 300 535 450 260 ~15 ~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)

Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator

< 400 < 270 < 550 > 350

Compressor Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power

Setting 1 4,500 m 1,084 hp 1,218 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew 1 person

Speed of destruction
Structural 0 km/h
Gear 300 km/h

Quite vulnerable to all weapons fire. The engine and water coolers lack any protection and are often the first
to go under fire. The pilot is not much better. While the windscreen is quite thick it is also very small and the
8 mm of steel will only stop a sneeze. Any calibre past 7 mm will kiss your pilot's cheek.
Ace Tip #1 applies: Don't get shot at!

8 mm Steel - Armoured headrest

50 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen

Modifications and economy

Repair cost Basic → Reference

AB 1 100 → 1 400
RB 2 300 → 2 927
SB 600 → 763

Total cost of modifications 10 320

23 700

Talisman cost 750

Crew training 11 000

Experts 38 000
Aces 250
Research Aces 220 000

Reward for battle AB / RB / SB

30 / 80 / 190 %
124 / 124 / 124 %

Modifications

The Folgore's focus on energy fighting should be reflected in the desired grind strategy. Compressor &
Engine are the top priority, boosting the acceleration and climb to the maximum needed for most situations.
The next upgrades are free to choose. New belts are always nice, but the default ones are decent. Engine
throttle as of now has no impact on performance.

Armaments
Offensive armament

Weapon 1 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon

Ammunition 500 rounds
 Ammunition 500 rounds
Fire rate 700 shots/min

Weapon 2 2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun

Ammunition 800 rounds
Fire rate 700 shots/min

The C. 202EC is armed with:

2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)

2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

Usage in battles
The first most important thing the Folgore needs is Speed, and Altitude. It's generally a good idea to climb to
at least 5000 - 6000 meters before levelling out and gaining speed. From there on, it's Boom and Zoom,
working your way from top to bottom. Priority should be given to P-39 Airacobra's, F6F Hellcats and the
early Spitfire, as these are hard to beat if they are allowed to engage on their terms. The Hellcat is a
considerable problem for the Folgore, due to the fact its considerably faster and climbs only slightly worse.
The best way of dealing with them is to fight them at speeds above 400 km/h, where the Hellcat begins to
stiffen up, but you retain your very good roll rate, which you can use to spoil his gun solution by constantly
changing direction.

While diving on your chosen target, be mindful of your speed: the Folgore's rate of roll becomes
considerably worse when you hit 600 km/h, so its a good idea to cut throttle at the final part of your dive
slowing your acceleration down by a bit. Also when trying to lead an enemy plane that is making a hard
break turn, try to prevent making high G turns or turns that burn a lot of speed, this mostly happens when
you dive in at a shallow angle, as it kills all the speed you have, forcing you to engage in a dogfight, where
the turn rate offers an advantage to the enemy. While it's doable, it's generally better to run, by going into a
shallow dive and retreating. Alternatively, engage in a shallow climb, the rate of climb is one of the best at
its tier, meaning that if you have a small speed advantage you can get some separation and climb away.

The guns make it unsuited to effectively engage bombers, especially the well defended bombers such as the
B-25 and the A-20. It's better to team up with your teammates than try to attack them on your own. It is best
to aim for the engines and wings, basically engaging them the same way as you would engage fighters.
Furthermore, the Folgore can't carry any bombs, so its useless in ground attack role.

For belts use "Tracers", "Air Targets" or "Stealth" as they deal the most damage, with a good mix of
incendiary and shrapnel. With the Breda-SAFATs, focus on taking out the engines.

Specific enemies worth noting

Bf 109 - The Messerschmitts you will encounter at this rank have a higher climb rate and better
energy retention. While uncommon, you can encounter the Bf 109 F-4 at this BR, which
outclasses the Folgore in every way. Don't engage them unless you have an advantage.
Spitfire - The legendary British fighters have a higher climb rate than the Folgore does and have
a turning circle that would make many aircraft but the A6M Zero blush. However they are
 terrible at altitude and worse in the vertical, where the Folgore performs the best. Do not take
them lightly.
F6F-5 Hellcat - A considerable problem for the Folgore. The Hellcat is faster than the Folgore
and climbs only slightly worse. With its six .50 cal Browning M2's, it can tear the Folgore to
shreds in one pass.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements

Radiator
Mixer Pitch Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type

Controllable Controllable Controllable Not

Not Not
Not auto Not auto Not auto Separate controllable
controllable controllable
controlled controlled controlled 1 gear

Pros and cons

Pros:

Good rate of roll under 600 km/h

Decent cockpit visibility, especially to the rear
Decent energy retention in horizontal turns
Great firepower (2 x MG 151/20 cannons with Minengeschoß rounds and 2 x 12.7 Breda-
SAFAT machine guns)
Very good BR considering that it has the firepower of a Fw 190 A-1
Fairly fast, will outrun most things you fight

Cons:

Large turn radius, the C. 202EC is clearly not as agile as its predecessor
Thick canopy frame can make spotting hard from cockpit view
Bad climb rate compared to the original C. 202
Locks up at speeds above 600 km/h (don't dive at 90° angle at a victim that is lower than 1.5 km
above ground!)
Very vulnerable engine (take care with head-ons and rear gunners)
Overheats easily

History
The famed Italian ace Maggiore Adriano Visconti flew the Folgore, as well as the predecessor Macchi C.200
Saetta and the successor Macchi C.205 Veltro.

In late 1941 the newer and deadlier Macchi M.C.202 Folgore (Thunderbolt) began to equip units of 7°
Gruppo, and in early 1942 Visconti began flying the sleek, new fighter on photo reconnaissance sorties over
Malta. Throughout these early years of the war, a near constant trickle of supplies was required to keep the
strategically vital island of Malta alive and in allied hands: mid-June 1942 saw two of these convoys
simultaneously attempt to resupply the island from different directions. Operation Harpoon – a convoy from
Gibraltar – was coordinated with Operation Vigorous from Alexandria. Both convoys were opposed by axis
forces and on June 15th, in the air battle above Operation Harpoon which would become known as the Battle
of Pantelleria, Visconti shot down a Bristol Blenheim. On August 13th, whilst on a two aircraft
reconnaissance sortie, Visconti and his wingman were jumped by four RAF Spitfires. Visconti engaged and
shot down two Spitfires, allowing the second M.C.202 to complete the sortie. He was awarded another
Medaglie d'Argento for his skill and courage.

Visconti served in Greece before being promoted to Capitano and taking command of 76a Squadriglia as 54°
Stormo was deployed in Tunisia in March 1943. In the
brief weeks of fighting which led up to the axis
surrender in May, Visconti was credited with two
Spitfires and a P-40, as well as several other probable
victories. Sharing a cramped cockpit with a fellow pilot,
Visconti escaped the allied advance by flying to Sicily.
Given his wealth of experience carrying out high speed,
daylight reconnaissance flights over Malta, Visconti was
given command of 310a Squadriglia Caccia
Aerofotografica, a newly formed reconnaissance
squadron equipped with modified Macchi C.205 Veltros
Folgore in an olive grove
(Greyhounds) which were based east of Rome.[1]

Visconti remains a controversial figure due to his

political alignment with Mussolini's Italian Social Republic.

Media
Skins

Skins and camouflages for the C. 202EC from live.warthunder.com. (https://live.warthunder.co

m/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mc-202_ec)

See also
Related development

C. 202 (Family)

External links
[Profile] Ace of the Month - January - Maggiore Adriano Visconti (https://forum.warthunder.co
m/index.php?/topic/291927-profile-ace-of-the-month-january-maggiore-adriano-visconti/) from
the War Thunder official forum.

References

1. An excerpt from Ace of the Month - January - Maggiore Adriano Visconti (https://forum.warthunder.c
om/index.php?/topic/291927-profile-ace-of-the-month-january-maggiore-adriano-visconti/), written
by Mark Barber, War Thunder Historical Consultant alias Wafu Vasco.
 Macchi Aeronautics (Macchi Aeronautica) [Expand]

Italy fighters [Expand]

Retrieved from "https://wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=C._202EC&oldid=119799"

This page was last edited on 1 January 2022, at 16:43.

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