50-03 MACCHI M.C.200 SAETTA

The Macchi MC.200 Saeta was an Italian low-wing, all-metal fighter with a landing gear retracted in flight. The drive was provided by a single engine Fiat A.74 with 850 hp . The prototype flight took place in 1937. Serial production continued in the period 1938-1942, ending with the production of about 1150 machines of this type. The aircraft was armed with 4 12.7 and 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, as well as a bomb load of up to 300 kg (in the MC.200CB version). After the end of the war in Ethiopia in 1936, the command of the Italian Air Force (owned by Regio Aeronautica) and the Italian government decided to introduce new types of aircraft to the line. Several companies responded to the announced competition for a new fighter aircraft, but the competition was won by Aeronautica Macchi and its MC.200 aircraft design. New planes entered the line in late 1939. They proved to be easy to pilot, ensured good visibility from the cabin, had good performance and were characterized by a very solid structure. In the course of serial production, one main development version was created - MC.200CB - which was a fighter-bomber machine. Macchi MC.200 Saeta fighters were used primarily in the fighting in the Mediterranean in 1940-1943, especially in North Africa. A certain number of them also served on the Eastern Front in the period 1941-1943. The planes that survived World War II were withdrawn from service by 1947.