This book in the Orange Series from MMP describes the Italian WWII Macchi C.200 Saetta, or MC.200. The Saetta was a fighter aircraft built in Italy and flown by the Regia Aeronautica during WWII. The C.200 was well loved by its pilots for its excellent maneuverability, and the design was the basis for the later C.202 and C.205 fighters.

This excellent book covers all aspects of the MC.200’s design, development, and operational use of this fighter. Included within is a wealth of information for the plastic modeler, as well as the general aviation historian. All text in the book is in English.

The book’s 112 pages are packed with photos and excellent color profiles detailing the various camouflage schemes the aircraft wore during WWII. The vintage photographs in this book are of high quality, and appear to be new to this publication. I have various other books which cover the MC.200 and there are quite a few images I have not seen before. Photographs are included from the pre-war development through all theaters where the MC.200 saw action. These include early production aircraft through those of the war years. There are many vintage color photos used here from WWII, as well as some black and white images. Also included are some good detail photos (all in color) of surviving and restored Saetta aircraft.

Another welcome feature of this book is the color profiles. The illustration is very well done, and the printing is excellent. The plastic modeler will find these very useful and may inspire him to build more than one model of this aircraft. Examples are shown in just about every camouflage scheme used on the airframe, and (a surprise to me) included are profiles showing several captured aircraft (one used by US Forces and one by the British). All of the camouflage schemes are detailed and described, and there is a useful chart of colors for the modeler to refer to.

Also intertwined throughout the book are images taken from the technical manual for the aircraft, so the modeler gets a vintage perspective on some of the components. Last, but not least, this book also includes plan drawings in both 1/48 and 1/72 scale. The 1/48 plans are included in a separate fold-out, and the 1/72 plans are printed throughout the book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in aviation history, Italian WWII aircraft, or a plastic modeler looking for some detailed information on this famous fighter. For the price you will not be able to find a more complete reference on this aircraft. Many thanks to Mushroom Models Publications for providing the book and IPMS-USA for allowing me to review it.