Macchi M.B.308

The Macchi MB.308, later Aermacchi MB-308, was a light aircraft produced in Italy in the late 1940s, one of the most prolific Italian-built types of the following decade. It was a conventional high-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tricycle undercarriage. Construction throughout was of wood. The pilot and a single passenger or instructor sat side-by-side, and later examples had a third seat behind them. The MB.308 was ordered in quantity by the Regia Aeronautica, which leased them out to Italy's aeroclubs. A modified version with a higher-powered engine was put into production in Argentina, under licence to sailplane manufacturer German Bianco.

Variants

• MB.308 - main production version with Continental C85 engine
  • MB.308 Idro - seaplane version
• MB.308G - three-seat version with Continental C90 engine
  • MB.308G-100 - MB.308G built in Argentina with Continental O-200 engine and fuel tanks relocated from fuselage to wings

Specifications (MB.308)

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 6.52 m (21 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
• Height: 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 13.7 m² (147 ft²)
• Empty weight: 407 kg (897 lb)
• Gross weight: 642 kg (1,412 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85, 63 kW (85 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 197 km/h (122 mph)
• Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,700 ft)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 419. ISBN 0710607105. 
• World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 901 Sheet 03. ISBN 1156943825. 
• Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1853105775. 
• "The Macchi MB 308". Flight: 64. 17 July 1947. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%201176.html. Retrieved 2008-04-03.