MC-202 Folgore serial number 9973

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hello,

My post is not strictly Luftwaffe aircraft related, but Axis aircraft related and I hope it is ok to post here.

Does anybody have the history of the Italian fighter MC-202 Folgore serial number 9973. It was captured either in North Africa or Italy as a GI took home some pieces from this aircraft.

Cheers,

Roger

[udf_00]

Are you sure about the serial 9973 ?
http://www.italie1935-45.com/regia-a...i-c202-folgore
"Récapitulatif de la production"

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hi udf_00,

Thank you for the link. I didn't know that one.

It may well be that it was 9073 instead of 9973 as the second digit is barely readable. If so, it would be a Series VII built by Aermacchi.

Is anything known about M 9073?

Kind regards,
Roger

[Roger Gaemperle]

It really does look like a 9973 (see attached photo of the MC-202 control stick). There is a small 7 stamped inbetween the 7 and 3, the purpose of it unknown. I tried different combinations for the serial number, but the only one that makes sense is 9073, but the second digit is not a 0 but a 9 at close inspection:


99773: did not exist
9773: did not exist (assuming the 2nd nine was replaced by 7)
9973: did not exist
9073: Series VII


Does anybody have an idea?


Thanks,

Roger

[Revi16]

Based on what other manufacturers have done, it would seem unlikely that an aircraft S/N would be stamped into the control stick. It may just be an assembly or part number that coincidentally mimmicks a perceived S/N for that type aircraft.

[RolandF]

I think you´re talking about MM 9973. The MM number imo (MM = matricola militare) has more to do with wherefore the Luftwaffe used its StKz than a serial number. I dont know any place within the airframe where the MM was legible than being painted on the outside. Therfore I´m afraid Revi16 is right

Servus

Roland

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hi,

I have seen at least one other such stick that had a different number that matched to a known M.M. number. So, I am not too sure that this number is unrelated to the M.M. numbers. There is also no logical explanation why they would mark the stick with the aircraft type "C.202", but nevertheless they did. Focke Wulf did the same and many of the earlier to mid-war Fw 190 sticks had the aircraft's serial number painted on them. I don't say that this is a proof that it was the same with the Folgore stick, but I wouldn't dismiss the possibility neither.

Cheers,
Roger