eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

Re: eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

This may be the one now displayed at the NMUSAF.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Vis...00-saetta.aspx

Re: eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

I don't think so...that Mc200 was with the government for a while in complete condition.

The one at Princeton was totally different:

On the outside of the building he displayed a steam tractor, steam narrow gauge railroad engine, a World War II Italian Fighter airplane, a small working railroad in which to give rides, as well as a snack bar for family picnics.

After 25 years in operation, the museum closed in 1963 and its contents were sold off during an auction in July 1973

Re: eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

There appears to be only three airframes that survive.
http://axis.classicwings.com/

The one currently at the NMUSAF spent some time "On a children's playground" and the New England Air Museum. Seems like the most likely candidate (from Princeton, MA to a museum in CT.), unless this was a fourth airframe that was scrapped.
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/itali...00-mm8146.html

I can't find any time spent in the USA for the other two survivors in Italy.

Re: eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

but the dates do not match up... :(

Princeton had it until 1973, when it was auctioned off...

Bradley Air Museum had it 1965-1980.

Unless it sold in 1965 (2 years after closing doors) to Bradley? I guess that is a possibility...?

Re: eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

While the auto museum may have had an auction in 73, the Macchi may have left earlier. The dates given for the Bradley and New England museums may not be 100% accurate either.
I don't have my books in front of me, but I don't believe many MC.200's made it to the States.

Re: eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

FWIW, I can confirm that the Princeton and Bradley Air Museum C.200 are the same. I and two colleagues made researches back in 1978 for a book on the Italian historic aircraft still preserved, and we were able to ascertain that the Macchi (originally coded "372-5" and captured early in 1942 in Lybia), was shipped in the USA together with a Ju 87 (the one actually exposed in Chicago) and a Bf 109 E-4/Trop (whose fate is unknown).

Not much is known of the C.200 until the late '40s, when it was donated to the city of Worchester, MA to be exhibited in a fair. It already was missing some parts (like the engine cowl and the airscrew) but still retained its camouflage.

Subsequently it was bought by Mr. Garganico, who exposed it in his car museum in Princeton. Unfortunately the plane was not very closely custoded and both visitors and weather furtherly damaged it.

At the death of Mr. Garganico in 1964, there was an auction and the Macchi was bought by the Bradley Air Museum. From then on, the story is known.

Hope this helps.

Re: eBay:Macchi Mc200 Princeton 1953
 

PERFECT!

:)