Atlas Impala Mk I
Atlas Aircraft Corporation · South Africa · first flew 1966 · fighter
The Impala Mk I is the South African licence-built two-seat trainer version of the Aermacchi MB-326, assembled by Atlas Aircraft Corporation for SAAF advanced jet training.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Bristol Siddeley Viper engine in slim fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-seat South African trainer Impala based on MB-326M
- Tandem cockpits under a long canopy, tip tanks standard
- Bristol Siddeley Viper engine in slim fuselage
Two tandem seats under a long blown canopy, tip tanks, and the classic MB-326 low-wing silhouette; South African roundels and Impala titling confirm identity.
Specifications
- The Atlas Impala Mk I has a length of 10.67 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.85 m (36 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
South Africa acquired a manufacturing licence for the MB-326M from Aermacchi in the mid-1960s, with Atlas building over 150 examples. The Impala Mk I equipped SAAF training schools and provided the basis for the subsequent single-seat Mk II attack variant. Production at Kempton Park continued through the late 1970s.
Variants
The Mk I is the two-seat trainer; it was developed in parallel with the single-seat Mk II, which differed in role, engine, and internal armament.
Where you'll see it
Served with SAAF No. 85 Advanced Flying School at Pietersburg (now Polokwane) and remained in training use well into the 1990s.
Related aircraft
- Atlas Impala Mk II
- Chengdu J-7
- Dassault Mirage F1
- Dassault Mirage IIIS
- English Electric / BAC Lightning F.6
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.