Macchi C.200 Saetta series VII
Unit: 372 Squadriglia, 153 Gruppo, Greece invasion campaign Autumn 1941
When Italy entered the war on 10 June 1940 there were 144 Macchi C.200 available for operations. Until late 1941 the Saetta was the frontline fighter of the Regia Aeronautica. It operated on all fronts, with the exception of the short Italian intervention in the Battle of Britain in late 1940. It originally had an enclosed sliding canopy, but pilots did not like it. A half canopy open at the top and opening outwards was manufactured thereafter and the original canopies were replaced in the field.
After a short appearance in the skies of France, the M.C. 200 saw action over Malta escorting bombing missions. It also saw service on the Greek-Albanian front performing similar duties.
In April 1941 the first Macchi C.200 arrived in North Africa. They fought in a number of air campaigns during Rommel’s first advance into Cyrenaica. In this period the Saetta clashed with the Hawker Hurricanes of the Western Desert Air Force. The Saetta proved to be an equal opponent for the legendary British fighter.
The 22° autonomous fighter group, which was equipped with 51 M.C. 200 Saetta, was sent to the Russian front to support the German ally. This small contingent was tasked with tactical support and escort missions. The Italian pilots fought bravely in extreme conditions, returning to Italy in early 1943. On the Eastern Front, the Saetta shot down a total of 88 enemy planes and destroyed another 50 on the ground for the loss of only 15.
The rapid aging of the M.C. 200 and the appearance of the modern M.C. 202 Folgore led to its progressive withdrawal from frontline service to home defense and patrol duties. The last notable operational activities of the M.C. 200 were the intercepting missions of allied bombers on Italian soil.
After Italy’s surrender on 8 September 1943, 52 M.C. 200 were still operational. Most of them later saw service with the Italian Co-belligerent air force fighting alongside the allies. The Republican National Air Force utilized a handful of these planes as training aircraft.
By the end of the war, 1,153 Macchi C.200 had been constructed. It was the third most-produced Italian fighter of the war, behind the Macchi C.202 and the Fiat CR.42.
Credits
Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp
Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture
Gauges: As far as I know, credit goes to kelticheart, mvg3d, Chalachew, Beepee, and Gius for their WWII Italian gauges.
Sound: Lawdog2360
Thank you to all of them for their hard work and attention to detail.
Unit: 372 Squadriglia, 153 Gruppo, Greece invasion campaign Autumn 1941
When Italy entered the war on 10 June 1940 there were 144 Macchi C.200 available for operations. Until late 1941 the Saetta was the frontline fighter of the Regia Aeronautica. It operated on all fronts, with the exception of the short Italian intervention in the Battle of Britain in late 1940. It originally had an enclosed sliding canopy, but pilots did not like it. A half canopy open at the top and opening outwards was manufactured thereafter and the original canopies were replaced in the field.
After a short appearance in the skies of France, the M.C. 200 saw action over Malta escorting bombing missions. It also saw service on the Greek-Albanian front performing similar duties.
In April 1941 the first Macchi C.200 arrived in North Africa. They fought in a number of air campaigns during Rommel’s first advance into Cyrenaica. In this period the Saetta clashed with the Hawker Hurricanes of the Western Desert Air Force. The Saetta proved to be an equal opponent for the legendary British fighter.
The 22° autonomous fighter group, which was equipped with 51 M.C. 200 Saetta, was sent to the Russian front to support the German ally. This small contingent was tasked with tactical support and escort missions. The Italian pilots fought bravely in extreme conditions, returning to Italy in early 1943. On the Eastern Front, the Saetta shot down a total of 88 enemy planes and destroyed another 50 on the ground for the loss of only 15.
The rapid aging of the M.C. 200 and the appearance of the modern M.C. 202 Folgore led to its progressive withdrawal from frontline service to home defense and patrol duties. The last notable operational activities of the M.C. 200 were the intercepting missions of allied bombers on Italian soil.
After Italy’s surrender on 8 September 1943, 52 M.C. 200 were still operational. Most of them later saw service with the Italian Co-belligerent air force fighting alongside the allies. The Republican National Air Force utilized a handful of these planes as training aircraft.
By the end of the war, 1,153 Macchi C.200 had been constructed. It was the third most-produced Italian fighter of the war, behind the Macchi C.202 and the Fiat CR.42.
Credits
Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp
Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture
Gauges: As far as I know, credit goes to kelticheart, mvg3d, Chalachew, Beepee, and Gius for their WWII Italian gauges.
Sound: Lawdog2360
Thank you to all of them for their hard work and attention to detail.
