The first M346 Bielik is already in Deblin.

The first M346 Bielik is already in Deblin.

Thanks to the M346 advanced and tactical-combat training jets, the Polish Air Force will be able to fully independently train future pilots of such modern combat aircraft as the F-16 and, after 2017, give up the costly basic training of candidates for F-16 pilots in the United States. Poland has ordered eight M8s with an open option for four more. The first two machines arrived in Poland in November 346. As part of the package, Leonardo will provide a complete training system consisting of simulators, a computer-aided training system as well as a training and logistics package.

From Macchi to Leonardo

The company of the Giovanni and Agostino Macchi brothers was founded in Varese near Milan in the 1913th century. Initially, it was involved in the production of carriages, and in later years it was engaged in the construction of motor motor vehicles, and then combat aircraft. The moment considered to be the beginning of the company was the establishment in 1915 by Giulio Macchi of the Societa Anonyma Nieuport-Macchi company, producing French airplanes. In 1, the military commissioned the company to copy the captured Austrian Lohner flying boat; after a dozen Macchi L.2, an improved model with a more powerful engine (L.15) was built, and then other types, already marked with the letters M. After World War I, the manufacturer specialized in the construction of seaplanes, of which several dozen were already manufactured at the Varese Lake plant annually. Aircraft with a wheel undercarriage were also constructed, such as the multi-purpose M.XNUMX.

In the early 1921s, Macchi seaplanes regularly competed in high-profile Schneider Cup races, winning in 1926 and then in 39. The latter success was achieved by a specially built M.67 racing seaplane by Mario Castoldi, the creator of the later M.72 and MC200. The same engineer created the successful MC.1943 low-wing fighter in the late 202s, which was used in combat until 205. Further work on fighters resulted in the creation of MC.205 and MC.XNUMX fighter planes known to Polish pilots, powered by German Daimler Benz in-line engines. One of the MC.XNUMXs in excellent condition is on display today at the entrance to the Venegono plant near Milan, where the company is now headquartered.

Immediately after World War II, the plant changed its name to Aermacchi; they gave less priority to aviation production, rightly giving more weight to motorcycles, scooters and other vehicles. In 1949, the plants began licensing the de Havilland Vampire jets. A few years later, engineer Ermanno Bazzocchi designed the first Aermacchi jet - the training and training MB.326. The successful structure was built in about 800 copies and was exported to over a dozen countries. Its development is used to this day in several countries MB.339, best known as the equipment of the Italian aerobatic team "Frecce Tricolori". Aermacchi's specialization in training and training jet airplanes resulted in the creation of a new design at the turn of the century, adapted to the challenges posed by aviation training in the XNUMXst century.