Aermacchi AM.3

AM.3

Picture - AM.3CM Bosbok operated by the National Test Pilot School at the Mojave Spaceport

Role: Observation aircraft
Manufacturer: Aermacchi
First flight: 12 May 1967
Introduced: 1973
Retired: 1992
Primary users: South African Air Force Rwanda

The AM.3 was the result of a joint venture between Aermacchi and Aeritalia (then Aerfer Industrie Aerospaziali Meridionali) in response to an Italian Army requirement for an aircraft to replace the Cessna L-19, and was initially designated the MB-335.

Design and development

Picture - The AM 3 prototype displayed at the Paris Air Salon in June 1967

The AM.3 used the wing design of the Aermacchi AL-60 utility aircraft, strengthened to incorporate two hardpoints. The fuselage was a new design.

The first prototype, constructed by Aermacchi, flew on 12 May 1967, and it was displayed at the Paris air show in June that year. The second prototype, constructed by AERFER, flew on 22 August 1968, but the aircraft lost the Italian Army contract to the SIAI Marchetti SM.1019. Nevertheless, Aeritalia continued development.

The third prototype used a more powerful Piaggio-built Lycoming GSO-480-B1B6 in place of the original Continental GTSIO-520-C, and this variant was designated AM.3C

Pilot and observer are accommodated in tandem positions, and the craft features dual controls. Aft space is utilitarian, providing space for two stretchers or seat space for additional passengers. Additional configurations include freight transport.

Armament configurations are diverse, as well. Two standard underwing pylons were able to carry 170 kg (375 lb) of stores each. Typical armament includes machine guns, rockets, bombs and missiles. Reconnaissance packs could be fitted to, or inside of, the fuselage. Additional pylons were often added by customers.

Bosbok

Picture - Bosbok cockpit

In September 1970 the South African Air Force ordered 40 AM.3Cs, designating the aircraft the AM.3CM Bosbok (Bush-buck). The first aircraft was taken on charge in March 1973, with deliveries continuing until December 1975, equipping 41 Squadron and 42 Squadron.

The Bosbok saw extensive action during the South African military operations in Angola between 1975 and 1989, during which it wore an olive-drab/dark earth camouflage instead of the light-grey paintscheme in which it was delivered.

The SAAF's Bosboks had four underwing hardpoints from which a variety of ordnance could be hung, including machine gun pods, light bombs and smoke-rocket pods. Each of the two inner hardpoints was stressed for a 170 kg (375 lb) load, with the two outer points being stressed for a 91 kg (200 lb) load.

Roles performed by the Bosbok in SAAF service include:

Forward air control
Radio relay (referred to as "Telstar duty" by the SAAF)
Target marking (using smoke-rockets)
Reconnaissance/observation (including artillery spotting)
Casevac
Liaison

It was in the dangerous role of target-marking that the Bosbok really excelled, in which it used the following technique: The aircraft would run in to the target at tree-top height, pull up to around 92 m (300 ft) when nearly overhead the target, line up the nose on the target and release the rockets, before quickly turning away and diving back to tree-top level to avoid ground-fire.

Using this method, a Bosbok was once credited with destroying an entire 37 mm anti-aircraft gun position with a lucky direct hit from one of its smoke marker rockets.

Following the end of South Africa's involvement in the Angolan War in 1989 and the subsequent downsizing of the SAAF, the Bosbok was retired from service in 1992.

Other operators

The only other nation to operate the AM-3C was Rwanda, which had 3.
The National Test Pilot School at the Mojave Spaceport operates one ex-SAAF aircraft as a training aircraft.

Specifications (AM-3CM)

General characteristics

Crew: Two, pilot and observer
Length: 8.73 m (28 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 11.73 m (38 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
Empty weight: 1,080 kg (2,381 lb)
Loaded weight: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 1,700 kg (3,748 lb)
Powerplant: 1x— Lycoming GSO-480-B1B6 piston engine, 253.5 kW (340 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 278 km/h @ 2,440 m (173 mph @ 8,000 ft)
Range: 990 km (619 mi)
Power/mass: 170 W/kg (0.10 hp/lb)

Armament

Up to 2 machine gun pods
Two 170 kg (375 lb) bombs, or four 91 kg (200 lb) bombs
Up to 4 smoke-rocket pods

Operators

Rwanda South Africa.

South African Air Force
41 Squadron SAAF
42 Squadron SAAF

Bibliography

Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.

Aermacchi AM.3 Pictures and Aermacchi AM.3 for Sale.

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia