The Macchi MB.320 was an Italian cabin monoplane designed and built by Macchi. Only a small number were built.
Design and development
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
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
- 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)
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
Citations
Bibliography
- 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.
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