Aircraft of the ADF – A7 Aermacchi MB-326

When the RAAF aircraft were officially ordered in 1965, the Australian model became the MB-326H. Other variants from this successful series included:

The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was selected as the Australian prime contractor for the licenced construction of the airframe (with the CAC type designation CA-30) and of the Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet engine, with Hawker de Havilland as the major subcontractor. The initial contract was for 75 aircraft, with the intention of ordering a further 33.

To enable introduction into RAAF service by 1968, it was decided that the initial aircraft would be imported and assembled by CAC, with a gradual buildup in Australian content.

Twenty Italian aircraft were imported, serialled A7-001 to A7-013 and A7-015 to A7-021 (Macchi constructor’s numbers were between 6351 and 6395), with A7-001 being handed over to the RAAF on October 3 1967. CAC constructed aircraft were serialled A7-014 (c/n CA30-14), and then from A7-022 (c/n CA30-22 onwards). Australian content reached 90% of engine, and 85% for the rest of the aircraft.

However the true “all through” jet training concept was retained for only two pilot’s courses. Thereafter, a short initial flight grading course was introduced on the Winjeel at No 1 Flying Training School at Point Cook, followed later by the full traditional Winjeel ab initio course, with the Macchi replacing the Vampire on the more conventional advanced course at No 2FTS at Pearce. The first deliveries in the RAAF were made to Central Flying School at East Sale to enable instructor conversion to the new type.

Introduction of the Macchi progressed smoothly with CAC delivering an average of four aircraft per month. After the receipt of A7-072 in June 1970, the first of ten Macchis were delivered to the RAN to replace naval Vampires. These RAN Macchis were serialled N14-073 to N14-078 and N14-084 to N14-087. Meanwhile RAAF deliveries continued with A7-079to A7-083, and then from A7-088 until the final aircraft A7-097 was delivered on September 27 1972. Aermacchi production of the 326 series in Italy ceased in 1978, transferring to the more advanced MB-339 trainer.

The Macchi eventually replaced the Vampire at Williamtown as the lead in fighter trainer for Mirage pilots, although Vampires were retained initially as early Macchis had neither gunsight nor weapons. Over the years the Macchi has served at Williamtown with No 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No 5 Operational Training Unit, No 77 Squadron and more recently with 76 Squadron. The Williamtown Macchis are armed with 7. 62mm miniguns and practice bombs for air-to-ground weaponry practice.

During service with CFS in 1968 the first RAAF Macchi aerobatic team, the Telstars, was formed. They were followed in 1970 by the well known Roulettes, retaining their distinctively painted Macchis until 1990, when CFS re-equipped with the turboprop Pilatus PC-9.

In 1983 the RAN relinquished its fixed wing jet aircraft, and the eight remaining Macchis were transferred to 20CU by July 1. The RAAF then assumed a greater fleet support role, and more recently this has become part of the duties of 25 Squadron at Pearce and 76 Squadron at Williamtown.

With the introduction of the PC-9 at 2FTS in 1990, some Macchis have been withdrawn from service, with the last leaving 2FTS in November 1991. Fourteen are held at the RAAF School of Technical Training at Wagga, and one at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), as instructional airframes. Several have also passed to the Aeronautical Research Laboratory (ARL) of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) for fatigue testing. To mark the Macchi’s service with the RAN, A7-059 has been allocated for the Historic Flight at the Naval Air Station at Nowra, although it is doubtful whether the Navy plan to eventually fly this aircraft.

Both 25 and 76 Squadrons planned to operate the Macchi until the late 1990s, but recent fatigue problems with the wings have put this life-of-type in doubt. With only 11 Macchis currently available operations have been affected, particularly for 25 Squadron. Nineteen sets of new wing have been ordered, and it is expected that up to 30 Macchis will be operated through the 1990s.

Several aircraft, such as the MB-339, AMX, Casa C-101 and BAe Hawk, are considered as likely candidates for a replacement lead in trainer/day fighter.