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The Nitro Models ARF - Macchi MC200 This is an Almost Ready to Fly kit from Nitro Models (located in Alhambra, California). To see their products, go to their website at www.nitroplanes.com. The name of the model, according to the box label, is Air Killer. However, on the website it is referred to as the Macchi MC200.The price tag is $125.00 US and shipping to Canada was another $30.00 US plus $20.00 Cdn for the UPS service (brokage fees). The kit was purchased online using their website and everything was smooth and painless. It arrived within 2 weeks. This will be a winter project with more details about its construction in the future. History of the Macchi C200 Saetta Developed in the mid-1930s for the Italian Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica), the "Saetta" (Lightening) was one of the principal fighters with which Italy entered the Second World War. The prototype made its first flight in December 1937, and by Italy's entry into World War II in June 1940 some 156 were in service. The MC-200 was first employed against the British at Malta and eventually saw service in Greece, North Africa, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union. Saettas were employed against U.S. forces in North Africa and over Italy itself. A total of 1,151 were produced. Following the Italian Armistice of September 1943, a number of M.C.200s were flown to Allied airfields and were later flown with the Allies by the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force. |
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The Macchi MC 200 The kit is a 60 size and they recommeded a .91cc four stroke for its powerplant. Wingspan: 63 in. Length: 52 in. Flying Weight: 7 lbs Wing Area: 666 Sq. In. Radio: 4 channel, 5 servos
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| Packaging It came in a large, well packed box with all parts foam wrapped and bagged. The kit includes gas tank, hardware, rods and accessories, fibreglass cowl and fuslage, balsa built / ribbed wings with a dull iron on covering of olive drab on upper surfaces and grey on the lower surfaces. The fuslage has ply formers and the radio gear trays are in place made of heavy ply. Rubber wheels are included.
Decals The decal sheet is somewhat disappointing. The national markings are not accurate and the fuslage band is not proper as most bands were all white or, in the case of the Russian Threater, were yellow.
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One Piece Fibreglass Fuslage. Canopy is seperate and pre-painted. |
| Pre-painted canopy Shortly after the C200 entered service, many pilots complained of the heat due to an enclosed canopy. The canopy was altered with the top section being removed. The canopy will be altered to resembled the later version. |
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Tail Section Sturdy construction with the Stab slots pre-cut for ease of construction. More rivet detail. I have to admit that the rivets are somewhat large for scale detail, but still not bad for an ARF. |
| Lower Surface of Fuslage |
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Cowl One piece fibreglass cowl pre-painted. |
| Wings Wings are built in traditional balsa ribbed and covered with a monokote type of material. Nice dull coat on upper surface. Scale colour.
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Left: Some hardware included in the kit. Video: Real footage of C200s and C202s during WW2. |
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The kit will be finished in the markings and colours of the Italian Expeditionary Unit that served in Russia during the German Invasion. |
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