History

The Aermacchi MB-326 was a popular light jet aeroplane developed in Italy and flown around the world.

The MB-326H version was manufactured in Australia for the RAAF and RAN, serving from 1967 to 2001.

The Aermacchi MB-326 was a light jet aircraft designed in Italy in the 1950s. The prototype made its first flight on 10 December 1957 and it proved popular and affordable so over 800 were manufactured, many under licence.

The RAAF selected the MB-326 as its trainer and a total of 97 were ordered. Twelve were manufactured by Aermacchi, 18 were assembled from kits in Australia and the rest were manufactured by CAC as the CA-30.

They entered service with the RAAF in October 1967 and fatigue problems saw their withdrawal from service in 2001.

This model represents A7-047, the personal aeroplane of the Chief of the Air Staff.

Supermodel 1/72 kit Hawkeye decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in May 2015.

Data

MODEL: Aermacchi MB-326H

ROLE: Advanced trainer

TIME PERIOD: 1965-2000

ENGINES: one Bristol Siddeley Viper Mk 11 turbojet of 11.34kN thrust

WING SPAN: 10.57m

LENGTH: 10.67m

MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 4,300kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 806km/h

RANGE: 1,516km

CREW: 2

ARMAMENT: provision for two 12.7mm machine guns in underwing pods or up to 900kg of underwing weapons

SCALE: 1/72

KIT:

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