Editing Macchi C.200 Saetta (section)

===Origins===
In early 1935 [[Mario Castoldi]], lead designer of Italian aircraft company Macchi, commenced work on a series of design studies for a modern [[monoplane]] fighter aircraft, which was to be furnished with retractable [[landing gear]].<ref name = "catt 3">Cattaneo 1966, p. 3.</ref> Castoldi had previously designed several racing aircraft that had competed for the [[Schneider Trophy]], including the [[Macchi M.39]], which won the competition in 1926. He had also designed the [[Macchi M.C.72|M.C. 72]]. From an early stage, the concept aircraft that emerged from these studies became known as the ''C.200''.<ref name = "catt 3"/>

In 1936, in the aftermath of [[Italian East Africa|Italy's campaigns in East Africa]], an official program was initiated with the aim of completely re-equipping the ''Regia Aeronautica'' with a new [[interceptor aircraft]] of modern design. The 10 February 1936 specifications,<ref>Sgarlato 2008, p. 4.</ref> formulated and published by the ''Ministero dell'Aeronatica'', called for an aircraft powered by a single [[radial engine]], which was to be capable of a top speed of {{cvt|500|km/h}} and a climb rate of 6,000 meters in 5 minutes.<ref>Sgarlato 2008, p. 5.</ref> Additional requirements were soon specified: the aircraft was to be capable of being used as an interceptor with a flight endurance time of two hours and armed with a single (later increased to two) {{cvt|12.7|mm|2}} [[machine gun]].<ref name = "catt 3"/>