Macchi C.202
Resin Detail Set
for Pacific Coast Models kit
 

Alitaliane, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman

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This set of resin parts is intended to allow modelers to easily backdate the Pacific Coast Models 1/32 Macchi C.202 to an earlier version of the aircraft. The PCM kit represents an aircraft of the XI Series and later. 

The major external difference is the design of the elevators.  For the I through X Series, the elevators had a straight hinge extending the entire length of the tail plane.  From the XI Series onward, the hinge did not extend the full distance and the elevator had a balance at the tip. 

To be quite honest, one does not actually need to use these resin parts to back date the MC 202. While the resin parts for the new tail planes have positive attachment points for easy attachment to the PCM kit’s fuselage, Ian Robertson has shown that the change can be done with a minimum of modeling, in his feature article on the 1/32 PCM Macchi MC202. 

In addition to the early Series tailplanes the Alitaliane set does come with some other nicely made parts.  There is a new rudder and a pair of ailerons, which appear to have the fabric rendered in a more subdued manner than that represented by those parts in the PCM kit. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

For those interested in the smallest of details, there is a new control stick.  It seems that the small cylinder on the front of the control stick was mounted lower on the early Series. 

There is also a set of wheels, and a new tail wheel strut.  The strut appears to be much more substantial and more straight in design than the tail strut in the PCM kit.  I am not sure if the strut differed on the early vs. the later Series of aircraft. 

Finally, there is a pair of bomb racks and sway braces. I am hard pressed to find a picture of the MC 202 in the fighter-bomber role.  Actually, I couldn’t find any.  If anyone out there knows of a picture, please let me know.

While this is a very nice resin set, I do not believe it is necessary for a simple conversion of a late Series MC 202 to an early Series.  The inclusion of bomb racks, while a nice addition do not seem to be a necessary addition. 

Even so, there is nothing in the quality or design of this set that would make it “not recommended”, so I would recommend with qualification - the qualification being the necessity of the set for doing the conversion.

Thanks to Maurizio Di Terlizzi for the review sample