Aermacchi MB.326

History

The MB-326 was a product of the Cold War (1949-1991) and was developed by the Italian Aermacchi Group to meet the requirements of the Italian Air Force, which included a light attack limited Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) capability. The aircraft first flew in December 1957 and entered service in February 1962. The aircraft is largely retired today (2020), but remained a market success until the end of the Cold War, with production of around 800.

This guy flies on top air services in Australia, Brazil, Italy and South Africa, as well as many smaller organisations.

In the post-World War II era (1939-1945), the age of the turbojet engine had arrived, which of course forced all the major defense powers in the world - including the rebuilding Italy - to invest heavily in the development of entirely new forms of flight beyond wartime Type of piston drive. Since turbojets are much faster and require a different control mindset than WWII aircraft, it would be wise to provide future pilots with some sort of aerial classroom for training.

As a result, a standardized form of the Advanced Jet Trainer was created - including a tandem cockpit arrangement, a straight main aircraft attachment, and a traditional tail and retractable landing gear.

The MB-326K is attack capable and in service with the South African Air Force. These were built locally under license from Atlas Aircraft Corporation (AAC). Sub-variants become Impala Mk.

II, MB-326KB, MB-326KD, MB-326KG and MB-326KT - all weapons are ready and available to foreign players in Dubai, Ghana, Tunisia and Zaire.

Customers under the MB-326L brand include Dubai and Tunisia, with a total of six built. The MB-326M is used by the South African Air Force and produced locally by Atlas. These include the Impala Mk. I variant.

The MB-326RM are five Italian Air Force variants modified for dedicated Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) roles.

Due to its role in the history of military aviation, the MB-326 family was involved in operations related to the Falklands War (the Argentine Flag against Great Britain) and the South African Border War (South Africa) against Angola. In combat, the aircraft did well, with its straight wings and turbojet engines allowing the platform to approach "low and slow" and hover over contested areas. When armed, the MB-326 can carry conventionally dropped bombs, early forms of air-to-surface missiles (Nord AS.12), rocket/missile pods, and gun pods.

Standard armament consists of 2 x 7.7mm machine guns in the front of the fuselage, attached to the LFS 5/102A fixed SFOM or Ferranti gyroscopic sight.

The MB-326 also forms the standard aircraft for the South African Air Force Aerobatic Team "Silver Falcon".

The name of the aircraft is derived from the merger of "Macchi" (forming "M") and its chief designer "Ermano Bazzochi" (whose last name forming "B").

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes