Aermacchi MB-326
Aermacchi · Italy · first flew 1957 · fighter
The Aermacchi MB-326 is an Italian single-engine jet trainer and light attack aircraft that became one of the most widely used trainers of the cold-war era, serving with over a dozen air forces worldwide.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Straight low wing with distinct oval-section fuselage-side intakes forward of the wing root |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Straight low wing with distinct oval-section fuselage-side intakes forward of the wing root
- Tandem cockpit under a long one-piece canopy with both seats at nearly the same height — minimal step
- Short, blunt nose with no radar; slimmer tail section than the MB-339
Compared with the MB-339, the MB-326 has a shorter, lighter nose, a more level tandem cockpit without the MB-339's pronounced rear-seat step, and a slimmer overall fuselage. The straight wing is common to both; the 339 is noticeably longer and heavier-looking.
Specifications
- The Aermacchi MB-326 has a length of 10.65 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.56 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 867 km/h (539 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1957, the MB-326 entered Italian Air Force service in 1962. It was licence-built in Australia as the CAC Macchi MB-326H, in Brazil as the Embraer AT-26 Xavante, and in South Africa as the Impala. Over 800 were produced in total.
Variants
The MB-326G was a single-seat light attack version; the MB-326K (Impala Mk 2 in South Africa) introduced a more powerful engine and gun armament. The design was extensively developed into the MB-339.
Where you'll see it
Retired from most Western air forces by the 1990s; South African Impalas flew ground-attack missions during the Border War. Survivors appear on civil registers in Italy, Australia, and South Africa.
Related aircraft
- Aermacchi AL-60
- Aermacchi AM.3C
- Aermacchi MB-339A
- MB-339
- Bell X-14
- Breguet Taon
- MiG SM-12
- Saunders-Roe SR.53
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