MB-326 GB

Il_Signor_Regio · August 17, 2023, 9:03pm

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

Yes
No

0 voters

Description: In the 1950s, various air forces were projecting and building various trainer aircraft, and Italy did the same. The MB326 was projected by the engineer Ermanno Bazzocchi to give the Italian Air Force a new trainer aircraft that could also be used as a ground attack. After various changes to the starting project requested by the Aereonautica Militare, the two prototypes were started in 1956, and the first one flew for the first time at Lonate di Pozzolo on December 10, 1957, with the pilot Guido Carestiato. It was produced in a very large number of variants and exported to a lot of countries. Argentina was one of the smallest users of this vehicle. Back in 1968, the Argentinian Navy selected the MB326GB to replace the Grumman F9-5 Phanter. In 1969, eight units were delivered to Argentina from Italy. In 1981, Argentina ordered the more modern MB339 from Italy in 10 units. Both aircraft took part in the Malvinas, and one of these 18 aircraft was the first Argentinian aircraft to land on the Malvinas after the Argentinian invasion. During the war, several MB326 and five MB339 were destroyed. The last units, 11 AT 26 Xavante built in Brazil, were purchased and delivered from 1983 to 1984. The main usage of this aircraft after the war was to train the pilots of the Navy. The aircraft is still in service today, and it is waiting for a replacement.