Editing Macchi C.200 Saetta (section)

===Service history===
The C.200 played no role in Italy's brief action during the [[Battle of France]].<ref name = "catt 6"/> The first C.200s to make their combat debut were those of the 6th ''Gruppo Autonomo'' C.T. (''caccia terrestre'', or land-attack fighter) led by ''Tenente Colonnello'' (Wing Commander) Armando Francois. This squadron was based at the Sicilian airport of [[Catania Fontanarossa]]. A ''Saetta'' from this unit was the first C.200 to be lost in combat when, on 23 June 1940, 14 C.200s (eight from 88<sup>a</sup> ''Squadriglia'', five from 79<sup>a</sup> ''Squadriglia'' and one from 81<sup>a</sup> ''Squadriglia'') that were escorting 10 [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero|Savoia-Marchetti SM.79s]] from the 11th ''Stormo'' were intercepted by two [[Gloster Gladiator]]s. Gladiator No.5519, piloted by Flight Lieutenant George Burges, jumped the bombers but was in turn attacked by a C.200 flown by ''Sergente Maggiore'' Lamberto Molinelli of 71<sup>a</sup> ''Squadriglia'' over the sea off [[Sliema]]. The Macchi overshot four or five times the more agile Gladiator which eventually shot down the ''Saetta''.<ref name="Gladiators over Malta">Cull and Galea 2008, pp. 46–47.</ref>

[[File:Macchi C.200.jpg|thumb|C.200 in flight]]

In September 1940, the C.200s of the 6th Gruppo conducted their first offensive operations in support of wider [[Axis powers|Axis]] efforts against the [[Mediterranean]] island of [[Malta]], escorting [[Junkers Ju 87]] dive-bombers.<ref name = "catt 6"/> On 1 November 1940 the C.200s were credited with their first kill, a British [[Short Sunderland|Sunderland]], on a reconnaissance mission, that was sighted and attacked just outside [[Augusta, Sicily|Augusta]] by a flight of ''Saettas'' on patrol.<ref name="Caruana">Caruana 1996, p. 166.</ref> With the arrival towards the end of December 1940 of X ''Fliegerkorps'' in Sicily, the C.200s were assigned escort duty for I/StG.1 and II/StG.2 Ju 87 bombers attacking Malta, as the ''Stukas'' did not have adequate fighter cover until the arrival of 7./JG26's Bf 109s.<ref>Caruana 1999, p. 169.</ref>

Soon after, British air power in the theatre was enhanced, especially by the arrival of the [[Hawker Hurricane]] fighter, which forced a redeployment of Italian forces in response.<ref name = "catt 6"/> Although considered to be inferior to the Hurricane in terms of speed, the C.200 had the advantage in terms of manoeuvrability, turn radius, and climb rate.<ref name = "catt 6"/> According to aviation author Bill Gunston, the C.200 proved effective against the Hurricane, delivering outstanding dogfight performance without any vices.<ref name="Gunston  1988, p. 255">Gunston 1988, p. 255.</ref>

While the Hurricane was faster at [[sea level]] ({{cvt|450|km/h}} vs the C.200's {{cvt|430|km/h}}, the ''Saetta'' could reach more than {{cvt|500|km/h}} at {{cvt|4500|m}}, although its speed dropped off at altitude: {{cvt|490|km/h}} at {{cvt|6000|m}} and {{cvt|350|km/h}} at {{cvt|7000|m}} with a maximum ceiling of {{cvt|8800|m}}. Comparative speeds of the Hurricane Mk I were {{cvt|505|km/h}} at {{cvt|5000|m}} and {{cvt|528|km/h}} at {{cvt|6000|m}}.<ref>Lembo 2000, p. 26.</ref> Over {{cvt|5000|m}} and at very low levels, only the huge Vokes (anti-sand) air filter fitted to the "tropical" variants slowed the Hurricane Mk II to Macchi levels. Although the Macchi C.200 was more agile than the Hurricane, it carried a lighter armament than its British adversary.

On 6 February 1941, the 4th ''Stormo'' received C.200s from the 54th ''Stormo''. Once the autorotation problems had been resolved, the Macchis were regarded as "very good machines, fast, manoeuvrable and strong" by Italian pilots.<ref name= "Duma p. 188.">Duma 2007, p. 188.</ref>  After intense training, on 1 April 1941, the 10th ''Gruppo'' (4th ''Stormo'') moved to [[Ronchi dei Legionari]] airport and started active service.<ref name= "Duma p. 190.">Duma 2007, p. 190.</ref> The C.200 subsequently saw action over [[Greece]], [[Yugoslavia]] and the Balkans, frequently engaging in dogfights with British Gladiators and Hurricanes over the Balkans.<ref name="de Marchi 1994"/>