Macchi C.200 ‘Bagu Il Mago’

[quang]

Hello all,
For an ongoing project, I am trying to locate a photograph of this Macchi C.200 depicted in a profile by A. Brioschi.



 I would be especially interested by a close-up of the Bagu Il Mago cartoon designed by the pilot Capitano Vincenzo Sant'Andrea who, allegedly was also the creator of the famous ‘cat and mice’ insignia of the 51° Stormo Caccia.
Any additional input about Capitano Vincenzo Sant’Andrea would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for your help.
Cheers,
Quang

[Mario_R]

Hi Quang,
I don't know a close up photo, but the Bagu Il Mago cartoon was studied by Moncalvo and Massimiello and published in GMT notiziari (I don't know what year and number, maybe you can find at the following link) and in Araldica della Regia Aeronautica volume primo. I can scan it, but my scanner is not a professional one.
https://www.gmt.tn.it/libri/aerei/
https://www.gmt.tn.it/notiziari/
This plane is not described in the book Macchi MC.200 published by Gli Archivi Ritrovati.

Ciao
Mario

[Editor]

Here's a photo of Sant'Andrea's machine in April 1941 with the white fuselage band applied, the a/c code moved forward and the dark yellow nose band (60cm wide). The smoke cannister in the photo was used to determine wind direction for an easier lift-off. What kind of project are you working on?

[quang]

,
I don't know a close up photo, but the Bagu Il Mago cartoon was studied by Moncalvo and Massimiello and published in GMT notiziari (I don't know what year and number, maybe you can find at the following link) and in Araldica della Regia Aeronautica volume primo. I can scan it, but my scanner is not a professional one.
https://www.gmt.tn.it/libri/aerei/
https://www.gmt.tn.it/notiziari/
This plane is not described in the book Macchi MC.200 published by Gli Archivi Ritrovati.

Thank you Mario for your input. The GMT books you mentioned are superb according to what can be seen from the extracts. Unfortunately I don’t speak Italian otherwise I would be tempted just for the colour illustrations alone.

Here's a photo of Sant'Andrea's machine in April 1941 with the white fuselage band applied, the a/c code moved forward and the dark yellow nose band (60cm wide). The smoke cannister in the photo was used to determine wind direction for an easier lift-off. What kind of project are you working on?

Thank you, dear Editor for the photo. It’s exactly what I expected. Now I can see the type of camouflage, the size of the cartoon and the (dark?) yellow of the nose ID band.
As for my project, I’m currently onto my 2nd build of the Italeri 1/32 C.200. I found the kit so pleasurable than their previous C.202 that I wanted to give it a second (hopefully) better try.

Some views of my first 1/32 Saetta








Cheers,
Quang

[Mario_R]

I have this photo and that informations:

and

For discussion purpose only
https://imgur.com/a/squadriglia-356-ziLkxla

From Brioschi profile and the photo I posted seems possible that the ‘Mago Bacù’ cartoon was applied in the earlier type without the yellow nose ID band and later ‘Bacù Il Mago’ with darker lightning and the yellow nose ID band.
Note that Moncalvo and Massimiello refer to Sant'Andrea's machine as possibily the 356 - 9.

Ciao

Mario

[Editor]

Ciao Mario, here's a photo of C.200 1a Serie 356-9 (with unusually high a/c number for CO), again Sant'Andrea's machine taken at Capodichino early 1941 with the Mago Bacu emblem, this time drawn differently (with red clothing, white (yellow?) cape and hat), there were various versions of Mago Bacu.

[quang]

Thank you, Mario and Mr. Editor. Your input and photos are of a great help to my project. I hope I will do it justice.
Thanks again,
Quang

[Mario_R]

Very interesting Editor

Mario