Franco Lucchini opened his account on 12OCT37 while flying a Fiat CR.32, he was credited with one Republican fighter. He would bring his total to five before the Spanish civil War ended. He himself was shot down twice over Spain, the second time he was taken prisoner.
When Italy entered the Second World War in 1940 Lucchini was sent to North Africa with 10° Gruppo flying the CR.42. He continued to increase his score against the RAF, but was wounded on 27SEP41 over Malta. He was back in action in November as commander of 84a Squadriglia of 4° Stormo flying the Macchi MC.202 Folgore. On 24OCT42 he was shot down and injured again, this time he did not return to duty until June 1943. By that time the fortunes of war had turned against Italy, and Lucchini led 10°Gruppo in defense of the homeland against ever-increasing formations of Allied aircraft. On 05JUL43 he led the Gruppo on a flight to intercept a formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses. His Macchi was hit by defensive fire and was seen to crash near Catania, killing him. He was credited with 22 aerial victories in WWII, 5 over Spain, and 52 damaged, making him Italy’s leading ace of the Second World War.
Macchi MC.202 Folgore of Capitano Franco Lucchini, commanding 84a Squadriglia of 10° Gruppo, Fuka, Egypt, August 1942. Hasegawa kit, Cartograph decals.
Construction here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2025/11/14/macchi-mc-202-folgore-comparison-build-hasegawa-and-italeri-kits-in-1-72-scale-part-i/
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