Sword 72086 1/72 Re.2002 Ariete ultima serie

In July 1939, the Regia Aeronautica was seen as splendid air arm, When World War II began in 1939, Italy had a paper strength of 3296 machines. While numerically still a force to be reckoned with, it was hampered by the local aircraft industry which was using obsolete production methods. In reality, only 2000 aircraft were fit for operations, of which just 166 were modern fighters (89 Fiat G.50 Freccias and 77 Macchi MC.200s), both slower than potential opponents as the Hawker Hurricane, the Supermarine Spitfire and the Dewoitine D.520. Still, the Regia Aeronautica had no long-range fighters nor night fighters. Technical assistance provided by its German ally did little to improve the situation.