The Fouga Magister was the world's first purpose-built two-seat turbojet-powered trainer aircraft.
Development
In 1948, Fouga designed a jet-powered primary trainer called CM.130 for the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air, AdA) to replace piston-engined Morane-Saulnier MS.475 aircraft. When AdA found the aircraft lacking in power, Fouga enlarged the basic design and outfitted it with more powerful engines. The distinctive V-tail of the new CM.170 Magister originated on the CM.8 glider Fouga was using to experiment with jet engines. In 1950, AdA ordered 3 prototypes, with the first aircraft flying on July 23, 1952. The aircraft entered service with AdA in 1956. In addition to France, CM.170 were built under license by Valmet in Finland, Flugzeug Union Süd in Germany, and Israel Aircraft Industries in Israel, with a total of 918 built.
Variants
- CM.170-1 Magister - first production version with Turbomeca Marbore II engines
- CM.170-2 Magister - uprated Turbomeca Marbore IV engines with 4.7 kN (1,055 lbf) thrust each
- CM.171 Makalu - enlarged airframe, Turbomeca Gabizo engines with 10.8 kN (2,422 lbf) thrust each, the only prototype lost in an accident on March 20, 1957
- CM.173 Super Magister - Tubomeca Marbore Super VI engines with 5.1 kN (1,143 lbf) thrust each and ejection seats, one prototype built
- CM.175 Zephyr - equipped with arrestor hook for French Navy
- AMIT Fouga (Tzukit) - Israeli Air Force version, permanent weapon hardpoints under the wings for light attack capability
- Fouga 90 - attempt to modernize the aircraft with Turbomeca Astafan engines with 7.6 kN (1,715 lbf) thrust each, reshaped canopy for better visibility, and upgraded avionics; failed to attract orders
Specifications (CM.170-1)
General characteristics
- Crew: One or two
Performance
- Thrust/weight: 0.28
Armament
- 2x 7.5 mm or 7.62 mm machine guns, 200 rounds/gun
- Up to 140 kg (310 lb) of weapons on 2 underwing hardpoints, including 50 kg (110 lb) bombs, unguided rockets, and Nord Aviation SS.11 anti-tank missiles.
Users
References
- Kopenhagen, W (ed.) (1987) Das groβe Flugzeug-Typenbuch. Transpress. ISBN 3-344-00162-0
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