Spada Decals 1/32 Macchi C.200 “Saetta” By Chris Banyai-Riepl

The first 1/32 sheet from Spada Decals is for the attractive Macchi C.200. Six marking choices are provided on this sheet, a number made possible by utilizing many of the standard markings from the kit decals. This frees up quite a bit of space on the sheet for unit markings and individual aircraft numbers, presenting the modeler with plenty of options.

The first option is from 154e Sq. in 1943, and is finished in Verde Oliva Scuro 2 and Nicciola Chiaro 4 over Grigio Azzuro Chiaro 1. The vertical fin is painted solid green. The aircraft is coded 154-9 on the white fuselage band, and the squadron emblem is on the rear fuselage.

The second option is overall Verde Oliva Scuro 2 over Grigio Azzuro Chiaro 1, and is from the 95e Sq. (18e Gr. Aut. CT), also from 1943. This plane also has a white band, this time with the squadron emblem on it, and the code 95-9 is split between the band. The 95 portion is smaller and lower down than the 9 opposite it, as well, presenting a somewhat unique C.200.

Third up is a C.200 from 1941, this time from 150e Gr. It is camouflaged in Verde Mimetico 2, Bruno Mimetico and Giallo Mimetico 4 over Grigio Mimetico, with a yellow cowling and white fuselage band. The squadron badge is on the white band, along with a pennant flag.

Aircraft number four is also from 1941, this time from 96e Sq. (9e Gr. 4e St. CT). It is camouflaged in the same colors as the previous example, but in spots rather than a random pattern. It too has a yellow cowling, as well as a yellow fuselage band. A white circle is on the rear fuselage, and the squadron badge is under the canopy.

Fifth in this Macchi lineup is another yellow-cowled 1941 C.200 from 79e Sq. (6e Gr. 1er St. CT), and is camouflaged similarly to the third option. It also has a yellow cowling and white fuselage band, and interestingly, the extreme end of the fuselage is also white. The white cross on the tail is also oversized. The squadron badge is on the fuselage behind the white band.

Finally, we have the last C.200, also from 1941. It is from 86e Sq. (7e Gr. 54e St.) and is camouflaged similarly to the fourth option. This aircraft has the white fuselage band and the squadron badge under the cockpit. On the main gear door is a white 5 in a red circle.

The decals are printed by Aviprint and have excellent register and feel quite thin. The options presented are interesting and colorful, and provide a good counterpart to the kit markings. Here’s hoping that Spada Decals will expand this subject a bit and scale this sheet down to 1/48 and 1/72. My thanks to Spada Decals for the review sample.