... but how not quite right in the Italian ones!
Ah, sounds like you're asking for more!
... Italy split in two after its armistice with Germany. In the north, the
Repubblica Sociale Italiana claimed to represent the true roots of fascism. The
Luftwaffe helped establish an
Aeronautica della RSI using captured equipment. ARSI fighter units were equipped with former French and
Regia Aeronautica C.202s as well as newly-built Macchi aircraft.
Standard RSI fighter camouflage consisted of a
Luftwaffe-style splinter pattern (colours varying) applied over RA
Verde Mimetico 2 base paint. The fuselage sides were sprayed over with undersurface
Grigio Chiaro, then blotched with
Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1.
'Yellow 7' is a C.202 serie III newly-delivered direct from the Macchi factory at Lonate Pozzolo. This fighter, based at Turin (Caselle), carries the '
Diavolo Russo' emblem of 410ª
Squadriglia CT. ARSI 'claimed' this unit despite the RA's 410ª
Squadriglia still existing in East Africa, resulting in the same squadron number with similar emblems existing in both Italian air arms!
The
Regia Aeronautica C.202 serie II wears the '
uovo in camicia' (poached egg) scheme. This Grottaglie-based Macchi has the '
Cavallino Rampante' emblem of 91ª
Squadriglia CT, 10
Gruppo CT, 4
Stormo CT. 91-5 was lost in the Mediterranean during the retreat from Apulia to Libya.
C.202 serie I 154-5 originated with the
Armée de l'Air. Surrendered to the
Luftwaffe, 154-5 was repainted and issued to the ARSI only to have its pilot defect to the
Regia Aeronautica in Sardinia. There, this Macchi served with 154ª
Squadriglia of 3º
Gruppo Autonomo Caccia at Monserrato (then re-equipping from Fiat CR.32s). 154-5 was lost to a Bf-109 before it could be repainted in full
Regia Aeronautica colours.