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.[1]
The first prototype, constructed by Aermacchi, flew on 12 May 1967, and it was displayed at the Paris air show in June that year.[1] 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.
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.
BosbokEdit
Bosbok cockpit
In September 1970, the South African Air Force ordered 40 AM.3Cs, designating the aircraft the AM.3CM Bosbok (Bush-buck).[1] 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 paint scheme 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)
The Bosbok really excelled in the dangerous role of target-marking, in which it used this technique - the aircraft would approach 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.
aermacchi, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, january, 2008, l. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Aermacchi AM 3 news newspapers books scholar JSTOR January 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Aermacchi 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 AM 3AM 3CM Bosbok operated by the National Test Pilot School at the Mojave SpaceportRole Observation aircraftManufacturer AermacchiFirst flight 12 May 1967Introduction 1973Retired 1992Primary users South African Air ForceRwanda Contents 1 Design and development 2 Bosbok 3 Operators 4 Specifications AM 3C 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksDesign and development Edit nbsp The AM 3 prototype displayed at the Paris Air Salon in June 1967The AM 3 used the wing design of the Aermacchi AL 60 utility aircraft strengthened to incorporate two hardpoints The fuselage was a new design 1 The first prototype constructed by Aermacchi flew on 12 May 1967 and it was displayed at the Paris air show in June that year 1 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 3CPilot 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 Edit nbsp Bosbok cockpitIn September 1970 the South African Air Force ordered 40 AM 3Cs designating the aircraft the AM 3CM Bosbok Bush buck 1 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 paint scheme 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 LiaisonThe Bosbok really excelled in the dangerous role of target marking in which it used this technique the aircraft would approach 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 Operators Edit nbsp ItalyItalian Army 20 2 nbsp RwandaRwandan Air Force 3 2 nbsp South AfricaSouth African Air Force 40 2 41 Squadron SAAF 42 Squadron SAAF nbsp United StatesNational Test Pilot School 1 Specifications AM 3C EditData from Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1971 72 3 Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1969 70 4 General characteristicsCrew 2 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 Wing area 19 04 m2 204 9 sq ft Aspect ratio 7 2 1 Airfoil root NACA 23016 tip NACA 4412 Empty weight 1 080 kg 2 381 lb Max takeoff weight 1 700 kg 3 748 lb with under wing weapons Powerplant 1 Piaggio built Lycoming GSO 480 B1B6 6 cylinder air cooled horizontally opposed piston engine 250 kW 340 hp Propellers 3 bladed Piaggio P1033 G4 AD 0691 245 constant speed propellerPerformance Maximum speed 278 km h 173 mph 150 kn at 2 440 m 8 010 ft 260 km h 160 mph 140 kn at sea level dd Cruise speed 246 km h 153 mph 133 kn at 2 440 m 8 010 ft and 246 km h 153 mph 133 kn Range 990 km 620 mi 530 nmi at 1 525 m 5 003 ft with 30 minutes reserve Endurance 5 hours 45 minutes at 1 525 m 5 003 ft with 30 minutes reserve Service ceiling 8 400 m 27 600 ft Rate of climb 7 m s 1 400 ft min Wing loading 89 3 kg m2 18 3 lb sq ft Power mass 6 69 kg kW 11 lb hp Take off run 85 m 279 ft Take off run to 15 m 49 ft 170 m 560 ft Landing run 66 m 217 ft Landing run from 15 m 49 ft 174 m 571 ft Armament Up to 2 machine gun pods Two 170 kg 370 lb bombs or four 91 kg 201 lb bombs Up to 4 smoke rocket podsReferences Edit a b c Simpson 2001 p 6 a b c Taylor John 1974 Jane s Pocket Book of Military Transport and Training Aircraft New York Collier Books p 7 ISBN 0020804903 Taylor John W R ed 1971 Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1971 72 62nd ed London Sampson Low Marston amp Company pp 113 114 ISBN 9780354000949 Taylor John W R ed 1969 Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1969 70 60th ed London Sampson Low Marston amp Company pp 119 120 Further reading EditSimpson Rod 2001 Airlife s World Aircraft Airlife Publishing Ltd ISBN 1 84037 115 3 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aermacchi AM 3 Specs amp Photo at Flugzeuginfo net Bosbok Survivors List with Pictures Portals nbsp Italy nbsp Companies nbsp Aviation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aermacchi AM 3 amp oldid 1136067008 Bosbok, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
