- Prototype: The prototype of the Macchi C.202 was loosely based on the previous C.200, in fact, it retained its wings, landing gear, both vertical tails and tailplanes plus its armament of two 12,7mm machine guns. But it featured a new all-metal flush riveted semi-monocoque fuselage. It was powered by a single 1175hp German DB-601A-1 and, when it was tested at Guidonias Centro Sperimentale (Guidonias Experimental Centre) it confirmed its soundness with a top speed of 595km
- Serie I: The first production version was made by Breda from July 1941 until March 1942. They were different from the prototype in having a modified cockpit with the rear glazing removed, a long air intake for the superchargerm but without any dust filters. The retractable tailwheel was replaced by a fixed one and the engine mount was replaced by a forged one
- Serie II: Just like Serie I, but produced by Macchi, from April until May 1941.
- Serie III: One hundred and forty machines made by Macchi from May 1941 until April 1942. They were adapted to the North African Theatre by including dust filters to the supercharger air intake as well as a large oil cooler, cooling vents in the machine guns covers and a cockpit air intake. They were also known as Macchi C.202AS (AS stands for Africa Settentrionale which means literally North Africa)
- Serie IV: Fifty machines built by SIAI-Ambrosini which were similar to the Serie III ones.
- Serie V: Another 50 machines built also by SIAI-Ambrosini between May 1941 and July 1942. The first batch of them were similar to the Series IV while the late batches were modified to the Series VII standards. They featured a more modern San Giorgio C reflector gunsight.
- Serie VI: Fifty machines manufactured by Breda during the spring of 1942.
- Serie VII: One hundred airplanes built by Macchi between April and June 1942. The featured a new 7,7mm Breda-SAFAT in each wing in order to increase its firepower and fix that way its main flaw. The inclusion of those extra machine guns, increased the weight of the airplane making it more difficult to handle, so the pilots often got those wing machine guns removed. They were also fitted with two underwing bomb racks and plumbing for drop tanks. A new armoured central glass panel was included in order to give more protection for the pilot. The late batches featured a new "D" tailwheel and it was powered by the Alfa Romeo RA 1000RC41 which reached levels enough for the C.202 to be fitted with this new engine instead of having to rely on imported German DB-601Aa engines. They were also known as Macchi C.202CB (where CB stands for "Caccia Bombardiero" which means "Fighter-Bomber")
- Serie VIII: Fifty machines built by Breda between March and July 1942.
- Serie IX: One hundred of them built by Macchi, they were rolling out from the factory between September 1941 until February 1942.
- Serie X: One hundred machines built by Breda between July 1942 until September 1942.
- Serie XI: One hundred and fifty airplanes manufactured by Breda from November 1942 until April 1943. They featured some minor improvements like a new horizontal tail and the relocation of the venturi from the underside to the starboard side just under the cockpit.
- Serie XII: One hundred and fifty machines that were identical to the Serie XI and manufactured under German control in the Breda factory between May and August 1943.
- Serie XIII: The last production serie. It was a batch of fifty machines built by Macchi from April to August 1943 with the modifications made to the late Serie XI's airplanes inserted.
- Macchi C.202D: A Serie VII with a modified radiator placed under the nose, copying the Curtiss P-40's.
Sources:
1. Osprey Publishing - Duel 60 - Spitfire V vs C.202 Folgore - Malta 1942
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macchi_C.202
3. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters
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