Macchi C.200

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C.200 Saetta
Preserved C.200 in the markings of 372° Sq. Regia Aeronautica
Type Fighter
Manufacturer Aeronautica Macchi
Designed by Mario Castoldi
Maiden flight 24 December 1937
Retired 1947
Primary user Regia Aeronautica
Number built 1,153
C.200 prototype
C.200 prototype

The Macchi C.200 Saetta (Italian:Lightning) was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force).

Contents

[edit] Design and development

Following the end of Italy's campaigns in East Africa, a program was started to completely re-equip the Regia Aeronautica with a new interceptor aircraft of modern design. The specifications initially called for an aircraft powered by a single radial engine, with 1-hour flight endurance, and armed with a single 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine gun. The number of guns was later increased to two.

Macchi lead designer was Mario Castoldi, the creator of the Schneider Trophy-winning racing aircraft including the Macchi M.C.72 which as of 2006 still holds the world speed record for seaplanes. He proposed a modern all-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear and an enclosed cockpit. The fuselage was of semi-monocoque construction with self-sealing fuel tanks under the pilot's seat and in the center section of the wing. The distinctive "hump" elevated the cockpit to provide the pilot with an unobstructed view over the engine. One interesting feature was the advanced design for the wing -- the hydraulically actuated flaps were interconnected with the ailerons so that when the flaps were lowered the ailerons drooped as well.

Power was provided by the 870 hp (650 kW) Fiat A.74 radial engine, even though Castoldi preferred inline enginess and had used them in all of his previous designs. However, Italian industrial leaders had been instructed to concentrate solely on radials due to their better reliability[citation needed].

The first prototype C.200 flew on 24 December 1937. It was followed by the second prototype early the following year. During testing, the aircraft attained 805 km/h (435 knots, 500 mph) in a dive, although it could muster only 500 km/h (270 knots, 310 mph) in level flight due to the underpowered engine. Nevertheless, this was better than the performance of the competing Fiat G.50, Reggiane Re.2000, A.U.T. 18, IMAM Ro.51 and Caproni Vizzola F.5. In 1938 the C.200 won the competition and an initial order for 99 was placed. The G.50 was also placed in limited production because it could be in service earlier. However, first production C.200 aircraft showed control problems in slow speed maneuvers and the design of the wings was subsequently modified by Sergio Stefanutti, chief designer of SAI Ambrosini.

[edit] Operational history

The C.200 began to enter service in October 1939, by which time it had been given the name Saetta (Lightning). When Italy entered the war 10 June 1940, 156 had been delivered and some were in front line squadrons. Although the first 240 aircraft had fully-enclosed cockpits, the subsequent variants had open cockpits at the request of the Italian pilots. [1] The first combat missions were flown as escorts for Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers attacking Malta in the autumn of 1940, and the type subsequently saw action over Greece and Yugoslavia. Fitted with dust filters and designated C.200AS, Saettas saw extensive use in North Africa. A number were also involved in operations on the Eastern Front during 1941-2 where, together with C.202s, they achieved an 88 to 15 victory/loss ratio.[2]

The Saetta was an easy airplane to fly and had sturdy construction and good maneuverability, permitting skilled pilots to effectively fight against more modern designs like the British Hawker Hurricane and the American Curtiss P-40. Its greatest weakness was the light armament of two 12.7 mm machine guns.[3]

In an attempt to improve performance, a C.201 prototype was created with a 1,000 hp (750 kW) Fiat A.76 engine, but this was abandoned in favor of the Daimler-Benz DB 601-powered C.202. The Saetta was to have been replaced outright by the C.202 after only one year in production, but the C.200's service life was extended because Alfa Romeo could not produce enough of the RA.1000 (DB 601) engines, and more C.200s were built using C.202 parts while waiting for production to increase.

A total of 1,153 Saettas were produced, but almost all were gone by the time of the Armistice with Italy in September 1943. Twenty-three were flown to Allied airfields in southern Italy, and flown for a short time by pilots of the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.

[edit] Variants

The Saetta underwent very few modifications during its service life. Aside from the switch to an open canopy, later aircraft were fitted with an upgraded radio and an armored seat. Some late-production Saettas were built with the MC.202 Serie VII wing, thus adding 2x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns to the armament. Two proposed C.200 derivates were:

C.200bis
Breda-proposed modification with a Piaggio P.XIX R.C.45 engine producing 1,180 hp (880 kW) at 4 500 m (14,765 ft). Converted from an early production C.200: first flight 11 April 1942. The aircraft was then fitted with a larger propeller and a revised engine cowling. Top speed in trials was 535 km/h (290 knots, 330 mph). Did not enter production as the C.200 had been replaced by more advanced designs.
C.200AS
Adapted version to North African Campaing
C.200CB
Figther-Bomber version with two external fuel tanks (figther scort) or 320 Kg of bombs
C.201
Proposed C.200 replacement with a revised fuselage, Fiat A.76 R.C.40 engine with 1,000 hp (746 kW). Although Macchi estimated a top speed of 550 km/h (300 knots, 340 mph), the prototype was canceled after Fiat abandoned the troublesome A.76 engine.

[edit] Operators

[edit] Specifications (Macchi C.200 early series)

Data from [4] and [5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.58 m (34 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 16.82 m² (181.00 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 1 964 kg (4,330 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 2 200 kg (4,840 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2 395 kg (5,280 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1× Fiat A.74 R.C.38 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 650 kW (870 hp) at 2,520 rpm for takeoff

Performance

Armament

  • 2× 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, 370 rounds/gun
  • Some aircraft were field-modified to carry up to 8x15 kg (33 lb) or 2x 50, 100, or 150 kg (110, 220, or 330 lb) bombs under the wings

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cattaneo 1968
  2. ^ Cattaneo 1968
  3. ^ Cattaneo 1968
  4. ^ Cattaneo 1968
  5. ^ Green and Swanborough 2001
  • Cattaneo, G. The Macchi MC.200: Aircraft Profile 64. London: Profile Publications, 1968. No ISBN.
  • Green, William. The Macchi-Castoldi Series, "Famous Fighters of the Second World War-2." London, Macdonald, 1962. No ISBN.
  • Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. The Great Book of Fighters. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-76031-194-3.

[edit] Related content

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Related development

Comparable aircraft

See also

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