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C.200 file photo [25]

C.200 Saetta

CountryItaly
ManufacturerAeronautica Macchi
Primary RoleFighter
Maiden Flight24 December 1937

Contributor:

The C.200 Saetta ("Arrow") fighters were designed as a response to the Italian Air Force's (Regia Aeronautica) need for a modern fighter. In 1938, the contract was won with an order of 99 aircraft, and by Oct 1939 they have entered service. In the fall of 1940, one of their first combat missions was to escort bombers in sorties against Malta. C.200 fighters were also used in Greece, North Africa, and later against the Russians during Operation Barbarossa. Though the C.200 design was considered obsolete by 1942 after the introduction of C.202, production continued due to demands. By the end of production, 1,153 were produced.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Sep 2006

C.200 Saetta Timeline

24 Dec 1937 The Maachi C.200 Saetta (Lightning) aircraft made its maiden flight in prototype form. Designed by Dr. Mario Castoldi, the C.200 Saetta was the first monoplane fighter with fully-retractable undercarriage and enclosed cockpit to enter service with the Italian Air Force.

SPECIFICATIONS

C.200
MachineryOne Fiat A.74 RC38 radial engine rated at 838 hp
Armament2x12.7mm Breda machine guns
Crew1
Span10.58 m
Length8.40 m
Wing Area16.70 m²
Weight, Empty1,770 kg
Weight, Loaded2,200 kg
Weight, Maximum2,395 kg
Speed, Maximum504 km/h
Rate of Climb15.30 m/s
Service Ceiling10,060 m
Range, Normal570 km

Photographs

C.200 aircraft at rest, circa 1930s




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
7 Jan 2011 07:25:27 PM

Macchi MC.200 prototype first flight was on December 24, 1937.
The MC200 was armed w/2x12.7mm machine guns
with 370 rpg, used as a fighter bomber with
underwing hardpoints for bombs.

About 1,200 fighters had been built by 1943
Operated by the Regia Aeronautica and supported Italian and German forces, until Italy surrendered in September 1943.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

After WWII the survivors were used as trainers until retired in 1947. Today only two MC200s are known to have survived. One is on display at the USAF Museum located in Dayton, Ohio USA

The other was restored in 1989 by Aermacchi this aircraft might be part of the Collection
at the New England Air Museum, located at
Bradly International Airport, Windsor Locks,
Connecticut, USA.
2. Chuck2 says:
26 Dec 2011 11:28:26 PM

Saetta means "Dart" not Lightning

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C.200 Saetta Fighter Photo Gallery
C.200 aircraft at rest, circa 1930s


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