Aermacchi MB.339

History

Aermacchi MB. The 339 is the successor to the Aermacchi MB. 326 in Senior Trainer and Light Strike roles. The two-seater trainer has proven just as good in its given role, also replacing the old Fiat G.91T trainer and a close support aircraft in service with the Italian Air Force. Same as MB.

326, later MB. 339 has moderate export success globally with Australia, Argentina, Eritrea, Ghana, Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru and the United Arab Emirates. After first flying as prototypes (two completed as "MB.339X") on August 12, 1976, the MB. 339 was officially launched in 1979 and is still in production at the time of writing (2012).

So far, at least 213 copies have been made.

Compared to MB. Before 326, MB. The 339 features a completely redesigned nose assembly. The dual-seat arrangement has also been revised to increase visibility to the rear coach/co-pilot position, while a single Piaggio (Rolls-Royce) Viper Mk 621 turbojet engine adds power. The wingtip fuel tanks have been enlarged, but the early MBs are more or less retained.

Model 326, with 6 external underwing pylons and 2 DEFA 30mm internal cannons.

The overall design of this class of aircraft is very traditional. These include a short nose cone, low-set straight wing assembly and a conventional single-fin rudder and applicable tail. The landing gear adopts a three-wheeled tricycle arrangement and is fully retractable. An aerial refueling probe has been relocated to the right side of the cockpit to help expand the MB.

339 range to a certain extent.

MB. The 339A series was the largest production model (107 examples in three production lots), while the "C" model added other improvements including upgraded engines, an integrated laser rangefinder (in the nose) and launch steering/ homing capability missile. The "CD" model benefits from HOTAS (throttle and stick manual), HUD (head-up display) and three LCD (liquid crystal display) screens. MB.

339K and MB. 339 T-Bird II variants were proposed - the former being a single-seat attack aircraft and the latter being Lockheed's proposal for the American JPATS competition.

MB. The 339 has since proven to be an effective trainer and light attack aircraft. Eritrea used its methyl bromide. 339 Angered with neighbouring Ethiopia during the February 1999 attack on the Ethiopian army fuel depot in Adigrat.

Argentina, Malaysia, New Zealand and UAE no longer operate their MBs. 339 seconds.

Specification

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Production

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Canadian-built Sabres fought against India once more, this time in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, again enjoying some level of limited success but the edge eventually went to the Indian Air Force by conflict's end.

Conclusion

Total production of all Sabre models totaled 9,860 with Canadair (Canada) said to be responsible for at least 1,815 of that number. North American Aviation numbers report 6,297 production totals of the Sabre with 1,115 examples of its US Navy derivative, the FJ Fury. Additional manufacturers under-license became Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (Australia) building some 112 of the Sabre, Fiat (Italy) building 221 total examples and Mitsubishi (Japan) accounting for 300 total Sabres. Production spanned from 1949 through 1956.

The vast reach of Sabre production models through NATO meant that the Sabre was the first taste of high-speed jet-powered flight for many of these pilots.

The F-86 Sabre was eventually superseded by more capable types and was followed-up on by the North American F-100 "Super Sabre", which began service in 1954.

Despite its design origins beginning in World War 2, the Sabre led a long and productive service life. Its production total ensured that it would be made available as a critical deterrent to Soviet actions in Europe and around the globe.

The aircraft's inherent flexibility also ensured that it could be adapted for a variety of roles to suit the needs of the West.

Jackie Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier, this accomplished in a Canadair F-86E model flying alongside famed American Aviator Church Yeager. The event was recorded on May 18th, 1953.

North American F-86 Sabre Specification

BASICS

MANUFACTURING

ROLES

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHTS

POWER

PERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

VARIANTS