Macchi MC.200

The Macchi MC 200, designed by the famous engineer Mario Castoldi, represented a significant development in the production of Italian fighter aircraft. In comparison to the Fiat CR.32 and Fiat CR.42 biplanes, which still formed the backbone of the Italian fighter units at the beginning of the Second World War, the Macchi MC 200 - together with the Fiat G.50 of the same time - was characterised by a monoplane configuration and an all-metal structure. The 14-cylinder twin-star Fiat A.74 RC.38 engine could develop an output of 840 hp and enabled the Macchi MC 200 to reach a top speed of 500 km/h. Compared to the corresponding Allied fighters, however, the Macchi MC 200 was relatively underpowered and, above all, inadequately armed. The armament consisted of just two 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns mounted above the characteristic humped engine cowling. In the final versions, two additional 7.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns were installed in the wings. The Macchi MC 200 was used by the Regia Aeronautica on the most important fronts of the Second World War: in Africa, the Mediterranean, the Balkans and Russia.