Pacific Coast Models 1/32 Macchi MC.200 Saetta
By Dennis McCone
Following on from my Re2005 I decided to build another PCM kit, so I dug out the MC.200 kit as it is so much an iconic Italian subject. The C200 was used by the Italian air force throughout their involvement in WW2 up to the armistice in several theatres and was the forerunner of a series of aircraft culminating in the formidable C205 one of three Series 5 aircraft, all being powered by a license-built DB-605 engine, the Fiat RC 58 Tifone 1,475hp engine. Some C200’s soldiered on after the armistice on both sides but its heyday was over though some were retained until as late as 1947 as advanced trainers.
The subject that I picked for my build was a 364 Squadron aircraft red 7, as I do not know much on the subject of Italian WW2 aircraft I asked the guys over on the Stormo site for some help. They gave me lots of information about my subject, as well as two photos of “my” machine, and commented, “We don't know the MM of this plane, but from the extended windscreen (the two thin rectangular glass panels aft of the windscreen), the plane is a late production machine built by Ambrosini (SAI).”
I have just checked my diary and it was exactly a year ago since I started snipping parts from the kit sprues, a lot of time this year was lost due to my hand problems which after some months of investigation resulted in surgery, both hands now have new thumb joints. But the major problem was that the kit was so ill fitting that I stayed away from my bench a lot, however it was very satisfying when I overcame the various problems. Aftermarket was limited to main wheels from CMK meant for a Fiat G50 the pending Italeri C200 may bring more AM.
Paints used were Xtracolor for the main finish and Humbrol for the detail painting. Kit decals were used apart from the wing markings which were painted using Montex masks meant for a C202. For the prop blade logos Kora decals were used, note that these decals come as a continuous sheet and the individual logos have to be cut out.
For more information, check out my build thread in the Work in Progress forum.
© Dennis McCone 2025
This article was published on Saturday, February 22 2025; Last modified on Sunday, February 23 2025