The C.202 made its combat debut over Malta in October 1941. Amongst the first to see action were 9 Gruppo's 97 Squadriglia who scored the first C.202 kill on 30th September 1941.
The yellow nose was a standard ID marking for that theater and period, while the prancing horse and iron leg badges were 9 Gruppo's markings. The two tone mottled scheme was typical of aircraft built by the Aermacchi factory.
