Aermacchi
Encyclopedia
Alenia Aermacchi is an Italian company designing and producing trainer aircraft for military pilots.
In July 2003, Alenia Aermacchi was integrated into the Finmeccanica
Group, which increased its shareholding to 99%. The company's facilities are located at Venegono Superiore (Varese province). Its workforce totals about 1,800 and its plants occupy an area of 274,000 m². Facilities include laboratories and workshops for structural tests and a wind and a water tunnel in addition to an airfield for flight test activities.
Since the beginning, the design and production of military trainers have been Alenia Aermacchi's core business.
The products include:
AMX
Program
Alenia Aermacchi takes part in the AMX program with Alenia Aeronautica and Embraer of Brazil with a total share of 24%. Alenia Aermacchi develops and manufactures the fuselage forward and rear sections and installs some avionic equipment in the aircraft.
A Mid-Life Updating program is required by the Italian Air Force to upgrade the aircraft capabilities.
Panavia Tornado
program
Alenia Aermacchi designs and produces wing pylons and wing tips, roots, trailing edges and flaps, which represent a 5% share in the overall program.
Eurofighter program
Alenia Aermacchi has a share, exceeding 4% in, for the design and development of wing pylons, twin missile and twin store carriers, ECM pods, carbon fiber structures and titanium engine cowlings.
C-27J program
After participating in the G-222 transport aircraft program, the company is involved in the new Military Transport Aircraft C-27J Spartan, for the production of outer wings.
In 1999, the company established a joint venture (MHD) with Hurel-Dubois (presently Hurel-Hispano, of SNECMA group), a French company specializing in the development and manufacture of thrust reversers, to obtain the full responsibility for the development of nacelles installed on maximum 100-seat aircraft.
Soon after World War II had ended peacetime production began with a three-wheeler truck. Then, anticipating the motor cycle boom and intending to have a stake in it, the Aermacchi chiefs looked for a designer who could produce an attractive lightweight. Their choice was Lino Tonti, who had been at Benelli and had worked on aircraft engines during the war. Tonti designed a 50 cc motorcycle that broke the land speed record for the displacement.
The bikes produced by Aermacchi were quite successful in the postwar Italian market, partly due to their use on race tracks. The firm designed and produced models incorporating the Italian word "Ala" (wing) in its names, such as "Ala Verde", "Ala Blu" and "Ala d'Oro" (respectively "green wing", "blue wing" and "golden wing").
In the 1960s, 50% of Aermacchi stock was acquired by Harley-Davidson
to produce, in its assembly plant at Schiranna (near Varese
), several models of small bikes (with engine displacement between 125cc and 350cc) for the American and the European market. This was an attempt to take back market sectors that were at the time increasingly being taken by Japanese manufacturers such as Honda
and Yamaha
. Aermacchi went on to have success in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing
world with rider Renzo Pasolini
finishing 2nd in the 1972 250 cc Roadracing World Championship.
After 1974, when the American manufacturer acquired complete control of the Italian company, Aermacchi bikes re-badged as Harley-Davidsons won the 250 cc Roadracing World Championship three years in a row in 1974, 1975 and 1976. They also won the 350 cc World Championship in 1976.
In 1978, Harley-Davidson sold its Italian operations to the Castiglioni brothers, founders of the Cagiva
motorcycle company, which continued to produce bikes branded "HD Cagiva" until 1980.
Profile
Alenia Aermacchi has sold about 2,000 trainers to more than 40 countries and has collaborated in major international military programs.In July 2003, Alenia Aermacchi was integrated into the Finmeccanica
Finmeccanica
Finmeccanica S.p.A. is an Italian conglomerate. Finmeccanica is the second largest industrial group and the largest of the hi-tech industrial groups based in Italy. It works in the fields of defence, aerospace, security, automation, transport and energy...
Group, which increased its shareholding to 99%. The company's facilities are located at Venegono Superiore (Varese province). Its workforce totals about 1,800 and its plants occupy an area of 274,000 m². Facilities include laboratories and workshops for structural tests and a wind and a water tunnel in addition to an airfield for flight test activities.
Military trainers
- SF-260, piston-engined or turboprop-powered screener/primary trainer
- MB-326, turbofan engined trainer and light attack aircraft
- M-311, basic turbofan trainer
- MB-339CD, advanced and lead-in fighter trainer
- M-346, advanced and lead-in fighter trainer of the new generation
Military collaboration
Alenia Aermacchi has cooperated in international military programs:AMX
AMX International AMX
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*Braybrook, Roy. "Assessing the AMX". Air International, June 1989, Vol 36 No 6. Bromley, UK:Fine Scroll. ISSN 0306-5634. pp. 267–278....
Program
Alenia Aermacchi takes part in the AMX program with Alenia Aeronautica and Embraer of Brazil with a total share of 24%. Alenia Aermacchi develops and manufactures the fuselage forward and rear sections and installs some avionic equipment in the aircraft.
A Mid-Life Updating program is required by the Italian Air Force to upgrade the aircraft capabilities.
Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
program
Alenia Aermacchi designs and produces wing pylons and wing tips, roots, trailing edges and flaps, which represent a 5% share in the overall program.
Eurofighter program
Alenia Aermacchi has a share, exceeding 4% in, for the design and development of wing pylons, twin missile and twin store carriers, ECM pods, carbon fiber structures and titanium engine cowlings.
C-27J program
After participating in the G-222 transport aircraft program, the company is involved in the new Military Transport Aircraft C-27J Spartan, for the production of outer wings.
Civil programs
Since the mid-1990s, Alenia Aermacchi has participated in programs for the supply of engine nacelles for civil aircraft. It produces cold parts for engine nacelles: inlets, fan cowls and EBU, the systems-to-engine interface.In 1999, the company established a joint venture (MHD) with Hurel-Dubois (presently Hurel-Hispano, of SNECMA group), a French company specializing in the development and manufacture of thrust reversers, to obtain the full responsibility for the development of nacelles installed on maximum 100-seat aircraft.
During World War I
- Macchi M.5 - flying boat fighter (1917)
- Macchi M.6Macchi M.6-References:*Green, William, and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Every Fighter Aircraft Built and Flown. New York: SMITHMARK Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8....
- flying boat fighter prototype (1917) - Macchi M.7 - flying boat fighter (1918)
- Macchi M.14Macchi M.14-References:*Green, William, and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Every Fighter Aircraft Built and Flown. New York: SMITHMARK Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8....
- sesquiplane fighter (1918)
Interwar
- Macchi M.7bis - Schneider TrophySchneider TrophyThe Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider was a prize competition for seaplanes. Announced by Jacques Schneider, a financier, balloonist and aircraft enthusiast, in 1911, it offered a prize of roughly £1,000. The race was held eleven times between 1913 and 1931...
racing seaplane (1920) - Macchi M.15Macchi M.15-References:*...
- reconnaissance, bomber, and trainer aircraft (1922) - Macchi M.17bisMacchi M.17|-See also:-References:* *...
- Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1922) - Macchi M7ter - flying boat fighter (1923), major redesign of M.7
- Macchi M.26Macchi M.26-References:*Green, William, and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Every Fighter Aircraft Built and Flown. New York: SMITHMARK Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8....
- flying boat fighter prototype (1924) - Macchi M.33Macchi M.33|-See also:...
- Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1925) - Macchi M.39Macchi M.39|-M.39 racer:-See also:-Bibliography:* Angelucci, Enzo. World Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. London:Willow Books, 1984. ISBN 0-00-218148-7....
- Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1926) - Macchi M.41Macchi M.41-References:*Green, William, and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Every Fighter Aircraft Built and Flown. New York: SMITHMARK Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8....
- flying boat fighter (1927) - Macchi M.52Macchi M.52|-M.52bis or M.52R:-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Angelucci, Enzo. World Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. London: Willow Books, 1984. ISBN 0-00-218148-7....
- Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1927) - Macchi M.52R - Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1929)
- Macchi M.53Macchi M.53-References:*...
- reconnaissance floatplane (1929) - Macchi M.67Macchi M.67|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Angelucci, Enzo. World Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. London: Willow Books, 1984. ISBN 0-00-218148-7....
- Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1929) - Macchi M.70Macchi M.70-References:***...
- light biplane landplane/floatplane (ca. 1929) - Macchi M.71Macchi M.71-See also:-References:*Green, William, and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Every Fighter Aircraft Built and Flown. New York: SMITHMARK Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8....
- flying boat fighter (1930) - Macchi M.C.72Macchi M.C.72|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Cowin, Hugh W. The Risk Takers, A Unique Pictorial Record 1908-1972: Racing & Record-setting Aircraft . London: Osprey Aviation, 1999. ISBN 1-85532-904-2....
- Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1931) - Macchi M.C.94Macchi M.C.94|-See also:...
- flying boat airliner (1935) - Macchi M.C.200 SaettaMacchi C.200The Macchi C.200 Saetta was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica . The MC.200 had excellent manoeuvrability and general flying characteristics left little to be desired...
- fighter (1939)
During World War II
- Macchi M.C.202 Folgore - fighter (1941)
- Macchi M.C.205 VeltroMacchi C.205The Macchi C.205 Veltro was an Italian World War II fighter aircraft built by the Aeronautica Macchi. Along with the Reggiane Re.2005 and Fiat G.55, the Macchi C.205 was one of the three "Serie 5" Italian fighters built around the powerful Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine...
- fighter (1942)
Post-World War II
- Aermacchi AM.3 - military utility aircraft (1967)
- Aermacchi AL-60Aermacchi AL-60-External links:* * *...
- light civil utility aircraft (1959) - Aermacchi MB-326Aermacchi MB-326The Aermacchi or Macchi MB-326 is a light military jet aircraft designed in Italy. Originally conceived as a two-seat trainer, there have also been single and two-seat light attack versions produced. It is one of the most commercially successful aircraft of its type, being bought by more than 10...
- trainer and light attack aircraft (1957) - Aermacchi MB-335 - initial designation of the AM.3
- Aermacchi MB-338Aermacchi MB-338The Aermacchi MB-338 was a design for a military jet trainer aircraft in the early 1970s to replace the MB-326 in Italian Air Force service. The design was eventually developed into the MB-339.-See also:Related development:Aermacchi MB-326...
- trainer (early 1970s) - Aermacchi MB-340 - light ground-attack aircraft (early 1970s)
- Aermacchi S-211Aermacchi S-211The Aermacchi S-211 is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft designed and originally marketed by SIAI Marchetti as the S.211. Some 60 aircraft have been sold to air forces around the world. Aermacchi bought the production rights in 1997...
- trainer (1981)
Current Models
- Aermacchi M-346 MasterAermacchi M-346The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master is a military transonic trainer aircraft. It is based on work done by Yakovlev and Aermacchi while working on the Yak-130 as a joint venture.-Development:...
- trainer (2004) - Aermacchi MB-339Aermacchi MB-339The Aermacchi MB-339 is an Italian military trainer and light attack aircraft. It was developed as a replacement for the earlier MB-326.-Design and development:...
- trainer (1976) - Aermacchi M-311 - trainer (2005)
- Aermacchi SF.260 - aerobatics aircraft and military trainer (1964)
- Aermacchi M-290 RediGOAermacchi M-290 RediGO|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*Taylor, Michael, J.H. . Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory: 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's. 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7....
- trainer (1985)
Motorcycle history
The bikes produced by Aermacchi were quite successful in the postwar Italian market, partly due to their use on race tracks. The firm designed and produced models incorporating the Italian word "Ala" (wing) in its names, such as "Ala Verde", "Ala Blu" and "Ala d'Oro" (respectively "green wing", "blue wing" and "golden wing").
In the 1960s, 50% of Aermacchi stock was acquired by Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
to produce, in its assembly plant at Schiranna (near Varese
Varese
Varese is a town and comune in north-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 55 km north of Milan.It is the capital of the Province of Varese. The hinterland or urban part of the city is called Varesotto.- Geography :...
), several models of small bikes (with engine displacement between 125cc and 350cc) for the American and the European market. This was an attempt to take back market sectors that were at the time increasingly being taken by Japanese manufacturers such as Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
and Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
. Aermacchi went on to have success in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
world with rider Renzo Pasolini
Renzo Pasolini
Renzo Pasolini , nicknamed "Paso", was a popular Italian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer in the 1960s.His unpredictable and unrehearsed racing style made him a crowd favourite...
finishing 2nd in the 1972 250 cc Roadracing World Championship.
After 1974, when the American manufacturer acquired complete control of the Italian company, Aermacchi bikes re-badged as Harley-Davidsons won the 250 cc Roadracing World Championship three years in a row in 1974, 1975 and 1976. They also won the 350 cc World Championship in 1976.
In 1978, Harley-Davidson sold its Italian operations to the Castiglioni brothers, founders of the Cagiva
Cagiva
Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, originally producing small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder and the founding location, i.e. CAstiglioni GIovanni...
motorcycle company, which continued to produce bikes branded "HD Cagiva" until 1980.