title: Macchi M.B.323
text: # Macchi M.B.323
  
  The Macchi MB.323 was an Italian single-engine basic training monoplane designed and built by Macchi. No orders were placed and only a prototype was built.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  Designed as a basic trainer to complement the M.416 in Italian military service, the MB.323 first flew in 1952. It was a single-engine, low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by a nose-mounted Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine and a retractable tailwheel landing gear. It had two tandem cockpits covered by a sliding one-piece canopy. The type was evaluated against the Fiat G.49 which was preferred by the air force and the MB.323 did not enter production.
  
  ## Operators
  
  ### Italy
  
  * Italian Air Force operated two aircraft for evaluation test
  
  ## Specifications
  
  Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953-54.
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: 2
  * Length: 9.80 m (32 ft 2 in)
  * Wingspan: 12.40 m (40 ft 8 in)
  * Height: 4.04 m (13 ft 3 in)
  * Wing area: 22.0 $m^2$ (237 sq ft)
  * Empty weight: 1,690 kg (3,726 lb)
  * Gross weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)
  * Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp nine-cylinder radial engine, 450 kW (610 hp)
  
  Performance
  
  * Maximum speed: 374 km/h (232 mph, 202 kn) at 2,900 m (9,500 ft)
  * Cruise speed: 326 km/h (203 mph, 176 kn) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) (70% power)
  * Range: 1,080 km (670 mi, 580 nmi)
  * Service ceiling: 7,500 m (24,600 ft)
  * Time to altitude: 2 min 2 s to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
  
  Armament
  
  * Guns: 1 × 7.9 mm machine gun in port wing
  * Bombs: racks for practice bombs
  