Aircraft of the ADF — N14 Aermacchi MB-326H

These RAN Macchis, serialled N14-073 to N14-078, were delivered to 724 Squadron (VC-724) — the second line Skyhawk training squadron — over the second half of 1970. The arrival of the new aircraft allowed retirement of the Sea Venom and Vampire from the advanced trainer role. After the next six aircraft were accepted by the RAAF, a further four Navy aircraft, N14-084 to N14-087, were delivered to Nowra from mid 1971. By this stage, one aircraft (N14-078) had already been lost when it entered an inverted spin off Ulladulla, on the NSW south coast. After the loss of another Macchi (N14-073) in December 1972, due to an engine failure on finals at Albatross, VC-724 then operated its eight Macchis accident free until the type was withdrawn from service, some 10 years later.

With VC-724, the Macchi served as a weapons trainer, proving a cost effective lead-in for pilots who would undergo conversion on to the A-4G Skyhawk. Like the Williamtown Macchis, these aircraft were equipped with 7.62mm miniguns and practice bombs for air-to-ground weaponry at the RAN’s Beecroft weapons range at Sussex Inlet. Production of the Macchi continued for the RAAF 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 latest variant of this newer aircraft, the MB-339FD, is one of the contenders to replace the MB-326H as the RAAF’s new lead-in fighter.

In 1982, the Federal Government announced the decommissioning of the carrier HMAS Melbourne, and that July all of VF-805’s Skyhawks were absorbed into VC-724. With the cessation of fixed wing jet flying in 1983, the eight remaining Macchis were withdrawn from RAN service on June 30. On July 3, three aircraft went to storage at RAAF Laverton, and one was transferred to 2FTS at Pearce. The remaining four were absorbed into the RAAF’s No 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2 OCU) at Williamtown. The RAAF then assumed a greater fleet support role from Williamtown, providing RAN ships with training targets. The Macchi fulfilled this role with 2 OCU, then 77 Squadron, and finally, since 1988, with 76 Squadron. The RAN’s shift to a two ocean basing policy has led to the fleet support role also being flown by the Macchis of 25 Squadron at Pearce. With the introduction of the PC-9 at 2FTS in 1990, some Macchis have been withdrawn from service, with the last leaving 2FTS in November 1991.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 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 plans to fly this aircraft.

Both 25 and 76 Squadrons are currently planned to operate the Macchi until the end of the decade. Fatigue problems with the wings had put this life-of-type in doubt, but additional sets of new wings have been fitted, and about two dozen remain in RAAF service.

Three types of advanced trainers are now under consideration to replace the Macchi as a lead-in fighter. The three candidates are the Aermacchi MB-339FD, the British Aerospace Hawk 100 and the McDonnell Douglas T-45A Goshawk (refer Australian Aviation Dec 1995, Jan/Feb 1996 and Mar 1996). The decision on the selected aircraft will be announced later this year, with the first due in service at Williamtown during the second half of 1999.