MM.91975

MM.91975
Aircraft on display
Overview
Type	Macchi C.202
Version	C.202 Serie XIII
[Source]

History

Italian service

Built by Macchi as MM.91975 and delivered to the 356th Squadriglia, 21st Gruppo Autonomo C.T. of the Italian Air Force at Chinisia in June 1943.

In Allied hands

This aircraft was abandoned at Sciacca airfield and found there by personnel of the 31st Fighter Group, who restored it to flight. The aircraft got painted in the same scheme as the Supermarine Spitfires of the 31st Fighter Group and got the name "Wacky Macchi".

"Wacky Macchi"

Profile of "Wacky Macchi" by Gian Piero Pino

In the USA

After being used for a while as a mascot by the 31st FG it went to the Evaluation Branch of the USAAF as EB-300, later renumbered to FE-300 (1943), when it went to Wright Field, Ohio for flight trials (1943/1944).

As FE-300

It was renumbered again at Freeman Field, Indiana, as FE-498 in 1945 and later T2-498 in 1946. At that time, it was still airworthy. From there on it went to the Smithsonian Institute and was stored alongside other Allied and Axis aircraft of WWII at Park Ridge, Illinois (1946-1951). In 1951, the aircraft was moved to the Silver Hill Storage Facility, Suitland, Maryland. The aircraft was restored by museum technicians for preparation to be displayed at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

As FE-498

Another as FE-498

Since 1976, it has been at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC.

Present state

Now shown in the markings of the 90ª Squadriglia, 10° Gruppo, 4° Stormo, and carrying the registration code MM.9476, this aircraft is dramatically displayed in Gallery 205 above the World War II Aviation diorama at the US National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian, Washington, DC.