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Macchi M.B.320

Macchi MB.320
M.B.320 before delivery to East African Airways
Role	Cabin monoplane Type of aircraft
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Macchi
First flight	20 May 1949
Primary user	East African Airways
Number built	8

The Macchi MB.320 was an Italian cabin monoplane designed and built by Macchi. Only a small number were built.

Design and development[edit]

The MB.320 was built using experience gained from the company's previous aircraft, the MB.308. The MB.320 was a low-wing cabin monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear and powered by two wing-mounted 184 hp (137 kW) Continental E185 engines.^[1] It had room for a pilot and five passengers.

Operational history[edit]

The prototype MB.320, registered I-RAIA, was first flown on 20 May 1949. The aircraft flew well, but was expensive to buy with only a small domestic market for the type and only a small number were exported. Three aircraft were sold to East African Airways for use as feederliners.

Variants[edit]

MB.320

Six-seat monoplane powered by two 184 hp (137 kW) Continental E185 engines. Eight built^[1]

VEMA-51

Proposed license-built variant to have been produced in France by SFCA. Not built.^[1]

Specifications (Macchi MB.320)[edit]

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

General characteristics

• Crew:2
• Capacity: 4 passengers
• Length: 8.65 m (28 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 13.0 m (42 ft 8 in)
• Height: 3.19 m (10 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 21.0 m² (226 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,490 kg (3,285 lb)
• Gross weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 400 L (110 US gal; 88 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 2 × Continental E185 air-cooled flat-six engines, 138 kW (185 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 322 km/h (200 mph, 174 kn)
• Cruise speed: 285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) (70% power)
• Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,200 m (17,100 ft)
• Time to altitude:
  
  • 3 min 8 s to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
  • 12 min 24 s to 3,000 m (9,800 ft)

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Macchi M.B.320.

Citations[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

• 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.

Companies

Aviation