Aermacchi MB-326

The Aermacchi or Macchi MB-326 is a light military jet aircraft designed in Italy. Originally conceived as a two-seat trainer, there have also been single and two-seat light attack versions produced. It is one of the most commercially successful aircraft of its type, being bought by more than 10 countries and produced under licence in Australia, Brazil and South Africa. It set many category records, including an altitude record of 56,807 ft (17,315 m) on 18 March 1966. More than 600 were built.

Design and development

In the 1950s, a number of countries were operating small jet trainers with a similar performance to their operational aircraft. At this time, several nations commenced development of purpose-built aircraft for the role, such as the Fouga Magister, the T-37, the Jet Provost, and the Aero L-29. Italy, which was still recovering from the effects of the Second World War, could not afford the development of supersonic interceptors or bombers; it instead elected to focus its development efforts on light fighter and trainer aircraft.