Engineering:Macchi M.B.320

Macchi MB.320
M.B.320 before delivery to East African Airways
Role	Cabin monoplane
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Macchi
First flight	1949
Primary user	East African Airways

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 a low-wing cabin monoplane powered by two wing-mounted Continental E185 engines. It had room for a pilot and five passengers. 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. It was intended that the aircraft would be built in France under licence as the Lignel VEMA-51 but in the end none were built.

Specifications (Macchi MB.320)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953-54

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

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.