Macchi C.200 Saetta

By Jose Fernandez

• Orange Series No. 8113
• ISBN: 978–83–61421–51–1
• Softback, 112 pages B5

Available from all good bookshops at £17.99, or direct from MMP: 3 Gloucester Close,Petersfield, Hants GU32 3AX Tel: +44 (0)1730 300795

Review by Geoff Coughlin (Aug 2012)

Our thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for supplying our review sample. Get this excellent title here now at: www.mmpbooks.biz

MMP’s Orange series is building up into a bit of a one-stop-shop in terms of reference material relating to specific aircraft subjects as does the Yellow series and what a reference resource this is. You can sum this title up in one word – comprehensive!

This is the most recent Orange Series title from MMP and describes the Macchi C.200 Saetta (also known as the MC.200), a WWII fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy. It was used in many forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force). The C200 had excellent manoeuvrability and the general flying characteristics left little to be desired. It was slower than its contemporaries and opponents but was still used in all theatres of operations by the RA, from Russia to North Africa, the design led directly to the impressive C.202 and C.205, the best Italian fighters of the War.

The contents are comprehensive and include:

• Introduction
• Development
• Camouflage schemes (by Przemyslaw Skulski)
• Production begins
• Production modifications
• Versions
• Technical description
• Detail photographs
• Fuselage
• Canopy
• Cockpit
• Wing
• Engine
• Tail
• Undercarriage
• Armament
• Specifications
• Into combat
• The end.

The quality of the colour profiles is very high as is presentation and production throughout. There are all-aspect line drawing plans that are first rate and when you put all that with the colour period and black and white images you simply have a winner!

Several kits are currently available for the Saetta in 1:72 and 1:48 so there’s no excuse not to have a go at one of the great Italian schemes – challenging? Yes, but what a model can result!

Highly recommended

Geoff C.