South Africa was the largest operator of the Aermacchi MB-326 type - even surpassing Italy. In SAAF service, the 'Impala' MkI was used as an excellent jet-aviation trainer and formation aerobatics aircraft - while the MkII served with distinction as the best light attack jet aircraft, of it's time. It is even credited with a number of aerial victories. This aircraft type was the first to be entirely locally manufactured and served the SAAF, over a period of more than 30 years. A beautiful, clean aircraft design and a firm favourite with aircraft enthusiasts and modellers, worldwide.        

Italian origin. 

The type was selected by the Aeronatica Militaire as Italy's standard advanced trainer to replace T6Gs and Harvard MklVs then in service - deliveries started in January 1962. During this period a jet trainer's standard configuration was the side by side layout. But the Italian design was of the conventional tandem layout, with the added advantage of extreme light weight and high maneuverability. As a trainer it could serve over a far wider range of the jet aviation envelope. Such a concept could only lead to export orders and the first export variant, the MB-326B, was selected by the Tunisian air force - who took 8 aircraft. The similar MB-326F went to the Ghanaian air force. Unusually at the time, but Alitalia (Italy's main airline) selected the MB-326D as pilot trainer. Nowadays, some of the advanced commercial pilot schools rely on aerobatic jet aircraft for advanced situation awareness training. The development of the MB-326G, proved to be the major production variant. Powered by the Bristol Siddeley Viper 540 engine with larger wingtip fuel tanks, it was selected by the Royal Australian air force as the MB-326H - also built under licence in that country. Further developments resulted in the MB-326GB and were sold to, among others, Zaire, Zambia and the Marinha da Argentina, while the similar MB-326GC was built under license in Brazil as the AT-26 Xavante. The AT-26 was exported to other countries such as Togo.