Flying aircraft such as the Macchi 200-202, Fiat G.50 and biplane Fiat CR.42, the Italian fighter pilots were recognised by their Allied counterparts as brave opponents blessed with sound flying abilities, but employing under-gunned and underpowered equipment.

Following the Italian surrender in September 1943, a number of aces continued to take the fight to the Allies as part of the Luftwaffe-run ANR, which was equipped with far more potent equipment such as the Bf 109G, Macchi 205V and Fiat G.55. Flying these types, the handful of ANR squadrons continued to oppose Allied bombing raids on northern Italy until VE-Day.

Giorgio Apostolo runs the leading Italian aviation publishing company GAE, and has become the recognised authority on the Regia Aeronautica during World War 2.

Richard J. Caruana, who lives and works in Malta, is best known for his technical and colour drawings which appear regularly in magazines in the UK (Scale Aviation Modeller International), Italy (Elicotteri e Aerei Militari, Aerofan) and Greece (Model Expert). His aviation art, specialising in the history and colours of the Regia Aeronautica, has also been published in the US, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Argentina and Israel.

Iain Wyllie is one of Britain's leading - and most prolific aviation cover artists. A native of Northern Ireland, he trained as a naval draughtsman, and spent many years working in this capacity. Iain chose to become a full-time aviation artist in the late 1980s, and has been responsible for creating over 60 cover artworks for Osprey's hugely successful Aircraft of the Aces and Combat Aircraft series since 1994. His artwork is synonymous with originality of subject, intricate detail and technical accuracy.

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE
ITALIAN AIR WAR

CHAPTER TWO
MAIIHTER UNITS

CHAPTER THREE
ACES AND VICTORIES

Appendices
Colour plates
Commentary
Index