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Macchi C.200 Saetta (Lightning)

1939 WORLD WAR 2

History

Macchi C. 200 Saetta ("Lightning" or "Arrow") made an extremely important contribution to the Italian nation during World War II - both as a "first generation" metal, and as a state-of-the-art metal monoplane and fighter jets. The model spawned a series of increasingly successful and more powerful fighters, including the C. 202 Folgore ("Thunderbolt") and C. 205 Veltro ("Greyhound"), which are described elsewhere on this site. The design of the C. 200 is credited to Mario Castoldi, whose pre-war experience came from record-breaking seaplane racers, an outstanding achievement that has served the C. 200 project well, A refined, streamlined fighter design was developed that was ultimately limited only by performance and its small arms. Nonetheless, it proved to be a highly maneuverable fighter for its time, as well as a stable firing platform, while offering excellent climbing and diving capabilities. These qualities made it suitable for roles other than fighter jets and were used in bomber escort, fighter-bomber, trainer and interceptor roles at the end of the war.

A total of 1,153 aircraft were produced, the last of which was officially retired in 1947.

The C. 200 was developed as early as 1935 as a fighter for the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) and other competing models. Castordi's background as a motorsport engineer means the new Italian fighter will be well streamlined in many ways, with a silhouette that wraps around a large radial-piston engine at the front.

The design will incorporate several modern qualities - an enclosed cockpit, monoplane wings, retractable landing gear and a pressurized metal skin. A prototype was ready for 1937 and flew for the first time on December 24.

During WWII, the C. 200 saw the Italian Air Force operate on all major fronts. Their first action was against the British in Malta, then they supported the Italian invasion of Greece.

These units were also responsible for Axis operations in North Africa and flew over South Slavia before participating in the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union. It remained in front-line service until 1942 when it was abandoned in favor of a more powerful replacement - the Macchi C. 202.

With its reduced role status, the fighter was minimally modified for fighter-bomber service, carrying a bomb load of 250 lbs to 660 lbs under the wings. Despite limited penetration, the standardized 2 x 12.7mm machine gun armament remained the same. The C.200 outperformed the new, faster Allied mounts in air combat roles, and it still served as a formidable bombing platform.

Other roles in the series were the interception of Italian airspace and bomber escort as the Luftwaffe continued its bombing campaign.

Italy's participation as an Axis power ended in September 1943, when it surrendered to the Allies. This produced the warring forces of the Allies and the Rupibblica Sociale Italiana of the Axis. At this point, only 52 C. 200 aircraft were still in service, 23 of which were claimed by the warring forces, while about 8 were in service with the Axis.

When their combat suitability expired, the C. 200 was eventually used as a trainer for a new generation of Italian pilots. Some were also adopted by the Luftwaffe - albeit in limited numbers - although their contribution was minimal.

Wear and limited production numbers eventually left few Saettas at the end of the war, and these did not last long in the postwar years - the last airframe was decommissioned in 1947. A complete example is on display for recognition at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, USA.