Macchi M.B.323

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Macchi MB.323
Role Training monoplane
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Macchi
First flight 1952
Number built 2[1]

The Macchi MB.323 was an Italian single-engine basic training monoplane designed and built by Macchi. No orders were placed and only a prototype was built.

Design and development[edit]

Designed as a basic trainer to complement the M.416 in Italian military service, the MB.323 first flew in 1952. It was a single-engine, low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by a nose-mounted Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine and a retractable tailwheel landing gear. It had two tandem cockpits covered by a sliding one-piece canopy. The type was evaluated against the Fiat G.49 which was preferred by the air force and the MB.323 did not enter production.

Operators[edit]

 Italy

Specifications[edit]

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953-54.[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 9.80 m (32 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.40 m (40 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 4.04 m (13 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 22.0 m2 (237 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,690 kg (3,726 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp nine-cylinder radial engine, 450 kW (610 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 374 km/h (232 mph, 202 kn) at 2,900 m (9,500 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 326 km/h (203 mph, 176 kn) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) (70% power)
  • Range: 1,080 km (670 mi, 580 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 7,500 m (24,600 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 2 min 2 s to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)

Armament

  • Guns: 1 × 7.9 mm machine gun in port wing
  • Bombs: racks for practice bombs

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Official website Aeronautica Militare
  2. ^ Bridgman 1953, p.163.
  • Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1953). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953-54. London: Jan's.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.