Country of origin:

Italy

Description:

Two-seat military trainer and light close-support aircraft

Power Plant:

One 2,500 lb st Bristol Siddeley Viper 11 Mk 22-11 turbojet

Specifications:

History:

Preliminary design work on the MB-326 series began in 1954. Construction of a prototype also started during that year, and the first flight was made in December 1957.

Three basic models were designed: the MB-326 military ab initio trainer; the MB-326B for armament training and light attack; and the MB-326C as a trainer specifically for services using the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter in Europe. On 4 August 1961 a class height record was achieved by an MB-326 which reached 15,233 m (49,977 ft) with an all-up weight of 3,000 kg (6,602 lb).

In November 1964 the Australian Government approved the purchase of 75 Model MB-326Hs to replace the de Havilland Vampire T.35 trainers then used by RAAF training schools. In September 1965 the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was appointed as prime contractor for the aircraft and engine, the aircraft to be known as the CA-30, with Hawker de Havilland Australia Pty Ltd to be the main sub-contractor. The original programme covered 75 aircraft and 120 engines, but an additional order was placed for a further twelve aircraft.

The MB-326 was designed by Aeronautica Macchi to meet the requirements of the Italian Air Force. It was subsequently sold to a number of air forces, and was also built under licence in South Africa. The fuselage was of normal framed construction with longerons, divided into four main sections. The forward section contained the nose undercarriage leg and electronic equipment. The second section was the pressurised cabin with fully automatic Martin-Baker Mk 4 ejection seats. The other two sections housed the fuel cells and the engine tailpipe. The wings were constructed with extruded section spar members and sheet metal ribs. Wingtip tanks with a capacity of 136.4 litres (30 Imp gals) were fitted. Six strong-points were incorporated on the wings for the carriage of external stores.

The RAAF Macchis received serials A7-001 to A7-087. The first four aircraft arrived from Italy as deck cargo on board the “SS Hertford” in June 1967, with three being assembled at RAAF Laverton, VIC and one at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. The first aircraft (A7-001) was delivered to the RAAF on 2 October 1967, and initial production aircraft were attached to the Central Flying School at East Sale, VIC. Later production aircraft were based at RAAF Pearce, WA. Others were attached to No 2 Operational Training Unit at Williamtown, NSW, the last aircraft being accepted on 22 September 1972.

RAAF Macchis at Williamtown, NSW, were used for initial training in ground attack and air combat, which involved gunnery, bombing and air-combat manoeuvres. Macchis at No 2 Flying Training School at Pearce, WA, were used for training in advanced levels of flying skills, such as instrument flying, formation flying, and aerobatics. This unit also occasionally trained pilots from other services. A number were also attached to the Central Flying School at East Sale, VIC, where they were used for training flying instructions, and refresher flying for pilots who had been in staff appointments. It was from this latter unit that the RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team was drawn when it flew the Macchi, and later the Pilatus PC-9.

Ten late production machines were also supplied to the RAN, and these (N14-073 to N14-078, and N14-084 to N14-087) were attached to VC-724 training squadron at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW as the Macchis could not be operated from the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. These aircraft for a period were painted in the RAAF colour scheme of orange and white but, eventually, were painted navy blue and white. After withdrawal of fixed-wing flying with the RAN these aircraft were transferred to the RAAF, returning to their former RAAF serials.

As noted, the Macchi was used for some years by the RAAF aerobatic team, the Roulettes. The team was formed with the Macchi in 1970 and continued to fly the type until 1989 when it was replaced by the Pilatus PC-9. The team only demonstrated once out of Australia, this being in 1975 when a series of displays was given to mark the independence of Papua New Guinea in 1975.  Initially four aircraft were involved, but this was increased to five in 1974, and in 1981 it commenced to operate with seven aircraft and carried out displays during the RAAF’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations that year. The following year the team was reduced in size when it had problems with two aircraft (A7-046 and A7-093) being lost in a collision near East Sale in December 1983, and two more (A7-054 and A7-049) being lost also near East Sale in March 1988.

A number were also retired to RSTT Wagga Wagga where they were used as training aids. One has been restored and placed on display at the Cranbourne RSL Club on the South Gippsland Highway south-east of Melbourne as a memorial to all ADF personnel killed in training accidents. This aircraft painted as N14-087 (which also operated with the RAAF as A7-087) used parts from A7-011 and others in its restoration.

A7-025 was obtained privately in the Wollongong, NSW area and work commenced to make it airworthy but restoration was later moved to Scone, NSW. Another example (A7-030) was obtained by the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society at Albion Park, NSW and has been mounted on a pole at the entrance to the museum, and another has been placed on display at Fighterworld at RAAF Williamtown.