Editing Aermacchi

{{Short description|Former Italian aircraft manufacturer}}
{{For|the current company|Leonardo S.p.A.}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Aermacchi
| logo = File:Aermacchi_logo.png
| type = Private [[Subsidiary]]
| genre = 
| fate = Merged
| predecessor = 
| successor = [[Alenia Aermacchi]]
| foundation = 1912

| founder = [[Giulio Macchi]]
| defunct = 2003
| location_city = [[Varese]]
| location_country = [[Italy]]
| locations = 
| area_served = 
| key_people = 
| industry = [[Aerospace]]
| products = 
| services = 
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| owner = 
| num_employees = 
| parent = [[Leonardo S.p.A.]]
| divisions = 
| subsid = 
| caption = 
| homepage = https://aircraft.leonardo.com/en/home
| footnotes = 
}}

'''Aermacchi''' was an Italian [[aircraft manufacturer]]. Formerly known as '''Aeronautica Macchi''', the company was founded in 1912 by [[Giulio Macchi]] at [[Varese]] in north-western [[Lombardy]] as '''Nieuport-Macchi''', to build Nieuport monoplanes under licence for the Italian military. With a factory located on the shores of [[Lake Varese]], the firm originally manufactured a series of [[Nieuport]] designs, as well as [[seaplane]]s.

After [[World War II]], the company began producing [[motorcycle]]s as a way to fill the post-war need for cheap, efficient transportation.

The company later specialised in civil and military pilot training aircraft. In July 2003, Aermacchi was integrated into the [[Finmeccanica]] Group (now Leonardo)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leonardocompany.com/en/-/statuto-sociale-articles-association|title=Leonardo: filing of Articles of Association - DETAIL - Leonardo - Aerospace, Defence and Security|website=www.leonardocompany.com}}</ref> as [[Alenia Aermacchi]], which increased its shareholding to 99%.

==Military trainers==
[[File:Aermacchi SF260.jpg|thumb|Aermacchi SF-260]]
[[File:EMB339.JPG|thumb|[[Frecce Tricolori]] MB-339A/PAN]] 
[[File:Aermacchi M-346 (code MT55219) arrives RIAT Fairford 13July2017.jpg|thumb|Aermacchi M-346 military trainer (code MT55219) at the 2017 [[RIAT]], [[RAF Fairford]]]]

Since the beginning, the design and production of military trainers have been the core business of Alenia Aermacchi.

The products include: 
* [[SF-260]], piston-engined or turboprop-powered screener/primary trainer
* [[MB-326]], turbojet engined trainer and light attack aircraft
* [[Alenia Aermacchi M-311|M-311]], basic turbofan trainer
* [[MB-339]]CD, advanced and lead-in fighter trainer
* [[M-346]], advanced and lead-in fighter trainer of the new generation

==Military collaboration==
Alenia Aermacchi has cooperated in international military programs:

* [[AMX International AMX|AMX]] program:
Alenia Aermacchi takes part in the AMX program with Alenia Aeronautica and [[Embraer]] of Brazil with a total share of 24%. Alenia Aermacchi develops and manufactures the fuselage forward and rear sections and installs some avionic equipment in the aircraft. A Mid-Life Updating program is required by the Italian Air Force to upgrade the aircraft capabilities.

* [[Panavia Tornado]] program:
Alenia Aermacchi designs and produces wing pylons and wing tips, roots, [[trailing edge]]s and flaps, which represents a 5% share in the overall program.

* [[Eurofighter]] program:
Alenia Aermacchi has a share of more than 4% in the Eurofighter program, for the design and development of wing pylons, twin missile and twin store carriers, ECM pods, carbon fiber structures and titanium engine cowlings.

* [[C-27J]] program:
After participating in the [[G-222]] transport aircraft program, the company is involved in the new Military Transport Aircraft C-27J Spartan, for the production of outer wings.

==Civil programs==

Since the mid-1990s, Alenia Aermacchi has participated in programs for the supply of engine nacelles for civil aircraft. It produces cold parts for engine nacelles: inlets, fan cowls and EBU, the systems-to-engine interface. 
In 1999, the company established a joint venture (MHD) with [[Hurel-Dubois]] (presently [[Hurel-Hispano]], of [[SNECMA]] group). It is a French company specializing in the development and manufacture of thrust reversers, to obtain the full responsibility for the development of nacelles installed on maximum 100-seat aircraft.

==Aermacchi aircraft==

===World War I===
*[[Lohner L|Macchi L.1]] – reconnaissance [[flying boat]] ([[Lohner-Werke|Lohner]] copy)
*[[Macchi L.2]] – flying boat [[biplane]] (Lohner copy)
*[[Nieuport-Macchi N.VI]]  – reconnaissance monoplane (license-built [[Nieuport]] [[monoplane]] with local modifications)
*[[Nieuport-Macchi Parasol]] – [[Parasol wing|parasol-wing]] [[Observation aircraft|observation]] monoplane  (developed from [[Nieuport IV]]) (1913)
*[[Nieuport-Macchi N.10]] – fighter/reconnaissance [[sesquiplane]] (license-built [[Nieuport 10]] with local modifications)
*[[Nieuport-Macchi N.11]] – fighter sesquiplane (license-built [[Nieuport 11]] with local modifications)
*[[Nieuport-Macchi N.17]] – fighter sesquiplane (license-built [[Nieuport 17]] with local modifications)
*[[Macchi M.3]] – flying boat biplane (1916)
*[[Macchi M.5]] – flying boat fighter (1917)
*[[Macchi M.6]] – flying boat fighter prototype (1917)
*[[Macchi M.7]] – flying boat fighter (1918)
*[[Macchi M.8]] – reconnaissance/bomber flying boat (1917)
*[[Macchi M.9]] – flying boat bomber (1918)
*[[Macchi M.12]] – flying boat bomber (1918)
*[[Macchi M.14]] – sesquiplane fighter (1918)
*[[Macchi M.15]] – reconnaissance, bomber, and trainer aircraft (1918)

===Interwar===
*[[Nieuport-Macchi N.29]] – biplane fighter (license-built [[Nieuport-Delage NiD.29]])
*[[Macchi M.7|Macchi M.7''bis'']] – [[Schneider Trophy]] racing seaplane (1920)
*[[Macchi M.15bis]] – a three seat civil transport variant of the M.15 reconnaissance bomber and trainer aircraft (1922)
*[[Macchi M.16]] – sports aircraft (1919)
*[[Macchi M.17|Macchi M.17''bis'']] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1922)
*[[Macchi M.18]] – passenger, bombing, and reconnaissance flying boat
*[[Macchi M.19]] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1920)
*[[Macchi M.7|Macchi M7''ter'']] – flying boat fighter (1923), major redesign of M.7
*[[Macchi M.20]] – civil trainer aircraft (ca. 1919)
*[[Macchi M.24]] – flying boat bomber (1924)
*[[Macchi M.26]] – flying boat fighter prototype (1924)
*[[Macchi M.33]] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1925)
*[[Macchi M.39]] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1926)
*[[Macchi M.40]] – reconnaissance seaplane (1928)
*[[Macchi M.41]] – flying boat fighter (1927)
*[[Macchi M.52]] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1927)
*[[Macchi M.52R]] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1929)
*[[Macchi M.53]] – reconnaissance floatplane (1929)
*[[Macchi M.67]] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1929)
*[[Macchi M.70]] – light biplane landplane/floatplane (ca. 1929)
*[[Macchi M.71]] – flying boat fighter (1930)
*[[Macchi M.C.72]] – Schneider Trophy racing seaplane (1931)
*[[Macchi M.C.73]]-  two-seat tourism plane
*[[Macchi M.C.94]] – flying boat airliner (1935)
*[[Macchi M.C.100]] – passenger flying boat (1939)
*[[Macchi C.200|Macchi M.C.200 ''Saetta'']] – fighter (1939)

===World War II===
*[[Macchi C.202|Macchi M.C.202 ''Folgore'']] – fighter (1941)
*[[Macchi C.205|Macchi M.C.205 ''Veltro'']] – fighter (1942)

===Post-World War II===
* [[Macchi M.B.308]] – utility aircraft (1948)
* [[Macchi M.B.320]] – light civil utility aircraft (1949)
* [[Macchi M.B.323]] – trainer (1952)
* [[Aermacchi MB-326]] – trainer and light attack aircraft (1957)
* [[Aermacchi AL-60]] – light civil utility aircraft (1959)
* [[Aermacchi SF.260]] – aerobatics aircraft and military trainer (1964)
* [[Aermacchi MB-335]] – initial designation of the AM.3
* [[Aermacchi AM.3]] – military utility aircraft (1967)
* [[Aermacchi MB-338]] – trainer (early 1970s)
* [[Aermacchi MB-340]] – light ground-attack aircraft (early 1970s)
* [[Aermacchi MB-339]] – trainer (1976)
* [[Aermacchi S-211]] – trainer (1981)
* [[Aermacchi M-290 RediGO]] – trainer (1985)
* [[Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master]] – trainer (2004)
* [[Alenia Aermacchi M-311]] – trainer (2005)

==Motorcycles==
[[File:1957 Aermacchi Chimera.JPG|alt=A blue and cream-colored motorcycle|thumb|A 1957 Aermacchi Chimera at the [[Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum]]]]

=== 1950s ===
Aermacchi began producing motorcycles in c. 1951; the first Aermacchi to be marketed to the public was a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the 'Convertible', with the majority of working parts semi-enclosed, an under-saddle engine and foot boards, a conventional motorcycle fuel tank position and {{convert|17|in|abbr=on}} wheels.

It was succeeded in 1953 by the 'Zeffiro' which was offered with a 125&nbsp;cc or 150&nbsp;cc [[two-stroke engine]]; these later models had upgraded suspension but remained similar in appearance.

In 1955, they produced the 125&nbsp;cc Monsone, followed by the 150&nbsp;cc Corsaro, both of which had [[Suspension (motorcycle)#Rear suspension|pivoted fork rear suspension]] and [[telescopic fork|telescopic front forks]]. They were [[two-stroke engine|two-stroke]]s like the early models and ran a 4-speed gearbox.

In 1956 they produced their first over head valve [[four-stroke engine]] on the Chimera fitted horizontally, a layout which would become a standard for the marque. Similar to their first offering, the Chimera kept many enclosed working parts.

In 1957 they released a series of sport models, powered by a [[single cylinder]] [[over head valve|ohv]] engine in 175&nbsp;cc or 250&nbsp;cc [[Engine displacement|displacement]]s. Aermacchi continued with scooter production, but sales were poor and they were unable to compete in the market amongst the well established [[Vespa]]s and [[Lambretta]]s, and concentrated solely on the production of motorcycles.<ref name="A">{{cite book |last1=Ayton |first1=C J |title=Guide to Italian Motorcycles |date=1985 |publisher=Temple Press |location=Middlesex |isbn=0-600-35141-6 |pages=10–15 |edition=First}}</ref>

=== 1960s and beyond ===

In 1960, US business [[Harley-Davidson#Small: Hummer, Sportcycle and Aermacchi|Harley-Davidson]] motorcycles purchased 50% of Aermacchi's motorcycle division. The Italian branch of the brand was named 'Aermacchi-Harley-Davidson' and the first bike was a variation of the 'Ala Verde' suitably modified for the American market. This was also the year that the Chimera ceased production.

The remaining motorcycle holdings were sold in 1974 to [[Harley-Davidson#Tarnished reputation|AMF-Harley-Davidson]], with motorcycles continuing to be made at Varese.

The business was sold to [[Cagiva]] in 1978.<ref name="A"/>

=== Racing History ===
After the Harley Davidson investment, Aermacchi branched out into racing with a 250&nbsp;cc production-volume Ala d'Oro for [[road racing]] competition. Early results varied but over years of bike development the team placed third during the 1966 350&nbsp;cc World Championship with racer [[Renzo Pasolini]] and third again in 1968 with [[Kelvin Carruthers]]. The following year Carruthers competed at the [[Isle of Man TT]].

A new era began in 1971 with the development of twin-cylinder two-stroke racers of 250cc and 350cc capacity, designed at Aermacchi by their chief engineer, Ing. William Soncini. The first 250cc racer was very fast, with 46&nbsp;hp at 11,000rpm, and weighed only 250&nbsp;lbs. After Harley-Davidson acquired 100% of Aermacchi in 1972, they funded further racing development at the Aermacchi factory, and the racers were branded with Harley-Davidson on their fuel tanks.  These two-stroke twins provided Harley-Davidson with their only Grand Prix wins, and four [[List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World champions|World Championships]]: [[1974 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|250cc World Championship in 1974]], [[1975 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|'75]], and [[1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|'76]], and the [[1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|350cc World Championship in 1976]], all under rider [[Walter Villa]].<ref>Walker, Mick: Mick Walker's Italian Classic Gallery - the Racing Bikes. 1991, Haynes. {{ISBN|0-85429-835-5}}</ref>

=== List of Motorcycle Models (incomplete) ===
*250 Cross
*350
*500 [[Linto]]
*Ala Azzura
*Ala Bianca
*[[:it:Aermacchi Ala d'Oro|Ala d'Oro]] (Golden Wing) [1958-1961]
*Ala Rossa
*[[:it:Aermacchi Ala Verde|Ala Verde]]
*Biccindrico
*[[:it:Aermacchi Chimera|Chimera]]
*Convrtible
*Corsaro
*Drixton
*Monsone
*Sprint 250
*Sprint 350
*Wisconsin 250
*Zeffiro

==See also==
*[[List of aircraft manufacturers]]
*[[List of Italian companies]]
*[[Harley-Davidson Baja 100]] off-road motorcycle

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160713083133/http://www.leonardocompany.com/en/chisiamo-aboutus/nostra-struttura-our-structures Leonardo website]

{{Aermacchi aircraft}}
{{Major Italian motorcycle manufacturers}}
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[[Category:Aermacchi| ]]
[[Category:Italian brands]]
[[Category:Defunct aircraft manufacturers of Italy]]
[[Category:Defunct motorcycle manufacturers of Italy]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1913]]
[[Category:Italian companies established in 1913]]
[[Category:Defunct manufacturing companies of Italy]]
[[Category:Alenia Aermacchi]]
[[Category:Leonardo S.p.A.]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 2003]]
[[Category:Italian companies disestablished in 2003]]