In the wake of World War 2, Italy faced the immense challenge of rebuilding its shattered economy.
Amidst this struggle and with limited funds, the Aermacchi aviation company developed the MB-326 jet trainer, a one-stop-shop for training all the Italian pilots of the late 20th century. Sleek and versatile, this low-wing, all-metal jet came with very simplified controls and avionics and featured a tandem cockpit under a bubble canopy, providing pilots with unparalleled visibility.
But the MB-326 was not just a trainer. If adjusted, it could very well compete with other jet-engined models of the era.
With the capability of carrying a few 250 or 550-pound bombs, 68-millimeter rocket launchers, and, most importantly, powerful twin 30-millimeter autocannons with 300 rounds, its firepower was nothing short of impressive for the over ten nations who acquired it.
During a dramatic showdown with Soviet-backed forces, the MB-326 proved its might by taking down not one but two Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers, completing its transformation from a humble trainer into a powerful striker.
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Fouga Magister is my favorite looking one of the early jet trainer branch, but this was the best.
1:27 you should the Polish PZL TS-11 Iskra, the Yugoslavian Soko J-21 Jastreb and Soko G-2 Galeb, the Indian HAL HJT-16 Kiran, the Spanish Hispano HA-200 too.
What is wrong with this narrator, he sounds very frightened of something, ease up man for goodness sake .
You should look into PZL TS-11 Iskra fighter
The first jet assembled in Brazil, our Xavante!❤
any aircraft with required weapons and technology can do if rightly used
Oddly enough you completely missed that Fiat had beaten Aermacchi with it's own G80 series of trainer jets by almost 5 years.
RAAF Roulettes
Mainly Australian footage, why? I'm ex RAAF and had worked on them at ARDU. Only a foot note for Australia compared to the total footage. I have also worked on their replacement.
I forgot, what about the Kiwi"s later version? no mention.
10:23 Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour below
Nicely researched
What about the BAC Strike master?
Nel film italiano
"Finché c'è guerra, c'è speranza" Alberto Sordi come protagonista, l'aereo da voi mostrato è visto nella sua letalità
As a South African ex army officer I always marvel at the fact that the world never asked why we were fighting both the Russians and Cubans during our “border” wars.
Smallest intakes ever….never skip leg day
Beautiful aircraft.
Embraer produced them under license, and lather partnered with Aermachi on the AMX consortium to produce a strike platform. .
🙁👎 What unnecessarily GARBAGE video! Three quarters of the footage was Australian and a lot from the Roulettes aerobatic team. There is an abundance of colour in focus footage of them!
Why make it look like a world war two video, when it could have been crisp and in colour??? 🙁👎
A jet trainer that proves to be a very decent fighter in its own right? Sounds like the Cessna T37 from the same era. In Vietnam it proved to be a very good CAS aircraft despite not being designed for it.
Are you sure they shot down two su24 fencers??
Your numbers of the South African variants is incorrect, but then due to sanctions & International pressure, details were sketchy anyway.
As an ex tech at 4 Squadron SAAF during the early 80's & a lifelong warbird enthusiast, to the best of my knowledge, the 1st 25 Mk 1's were Italian built, thereafter 125 were manufactured by Atlas Aircraft Corporation. 99 Mk 2's were all built by Atlas.
Every morning on my way to work I drive past a SAAF Impala up on a pole. Always got to look at it, what a great design…
It was called the Imp or impala in South Africa was a good ground attack aircraft during the bush war in SAAF
I have to get a model!✈️😎
❤
On the morning of May 21, 1982, an Aermacchi (4-A-115) under the command of Lieutenant Guillermo Owen Crippa was sent to check if part of the British fleet was landing in the Strait of San Carlos (Islas Malvinas Argentinas). He flew towards the strait knowing that, if there was a landing, there would be a significant number of ships. He found himself facing fourteen English ships and attacked the first, the Frigate HMS Argonaut, launching a 75 mm Zuni rocket. He opened fire on the ship's infrastructure with 30 mm cannons and rockets. He tried to affect their radars, launching the Zuni and flying low over their antennas.
The best thing I ever did was a media ride in an RNZAF Macchi 339.
Just incredible.
Thumbs up for all the RAAF footage.
In Australia we called these Macchi Jets
The SAAF was a major user, so why isn't there any footage of SAAF aircraft ???? Quite disappointing.
SilverFalcons
I remember the Impalas well from my childhood.
lots of RAAF and RAN video, great, I trained on these and they were lovely to fly. Lacked some thrust in hot climate, and fuel, so all the single-engine turbojet limitations and thought processes needed. All mechanical controls, and RAN jets had the 'small tippers' tip tanks, while the RAAF trainers had larger tip tanks. I think only the L-39 compares in simple elegance of design.
Hi. We Kiwis used the Macchi airtrainer too. At peak we had about twelve. Cheers, P.R.
Extreme irritating voice commentary. The main reason why I stop supporting/listening. Please improve the video and use a normal not "fake dramatic" voice commentary
The South African Airforce also shot down numerous Mi 24 Hind attack helicopters …. laying careful aerial traps after studying consistent flight paths.
It was also used by the SAAF display team The Silver Falcons.
That was when SA military was still disciplined, well trained & tactically astute and something 2 b proud of.
I'd love to watch one of these vids but I can't stand this guy's voice and bizarre inflections.
Looks like a copy of the T33 that my father flew in the RCAF in the 1950s. Wing over wing during formation flying. My father said the T33 was the easiest airplane to fly that he ever flew and he flew many types. Far easier than the Harvard trainer.
Thank you for this very informative and interesting coverage of, for me, an totally unknown jet aircraft. The Italian Air Force museum, in Sigonella, didn’t have a model of this craft
The SAAF Impalas have never recorded any air to air kills against jet fighters, maybe helicopters, but not jets, besides, they weren't armed for air combat but mostly for ground attack and close air support.
Neither the Cubans nor Angola ever used the Sukhoi su-24, so the story about Impalas shooting down 2 su-24s must be incorrect. Unless the narrator meant to say Mil Mi-24s?