Sorry for some of you, but data of the official manual are NOT from a DB601E powered C.202. They are from a Series IV-VIII model. That means from November 1941 to July 1942. So, it was probably a light C.202 with only the 2x12,7mm (as most of the C.202 were till the end of the war).
Again, if you take a look at the table you can see that up to 5,000mt (16,400ft) the average climb rate is 3,519ft/min and up to 6,000mt (19,700ft) is 3,280ft/min.
The AcesHigh C.202 has an average climb rate up to 6,000mt of 2,720ft/min (with WEP). I find very strange the 1,075hp shown on the table, whereas the same engine on the 109E-3 shows 1,175hp and the same Alfa-Romeo license built engine of the Re-2001 shows again 1,175hp for t/o power (PYRO has that Re-2001 power table). How 100hp+ as t/o power could help to understand those data?
Moreover the offical Re-2001 performance data show that the kite got to 19,700ft in 6'30". Her t/o weight was 3,240Kg (some 310Kg more than the C.202).
Do I have to think that the C.202 didnt climb to altitude with a 109E-3 or an Hurricane I or II? From all the books I have red about North African and Malta theatres I know she was superior to those 2 fighters and pretty similar to the Spit MkV (probably with Vokes filters).
Anyway, no flames from me here. I just wont fly that Macchi, even if I am a dedicated Macchi driver. Well, not really a big issue ... hummm
[This message has been edited by gatt (edited 04-25-2000).]