One of Italy's premier aircraft manufacturers was Macchi. They produced both civil and military types. In the 1930s, the nomenclature added not only the name of the builder, but also the name of the designer. At the time, it was Castoldi, so their WWII fighters were MC.200, 201, 205, etc. Later a young designer named Bazzocchi joined the company, starting with designing parts and sub parts. Eventually he worked up to becoming the chief designer. His first successful design was the Macchi 326 jet trainer, which became the MB.326. He was also the chief designer of the later trainer the MB.339. Later Macchi were absorbed into other companies and is today part of Leonardo.

This book covers Bazzocchi's two most successful aircraft. The development of each type is fully covered as well as the various nations who both operated and those who license built it. Of the two, the most successful was the MB.326 which was not only built in Italy, but also in Australia, Argentina, and South Africa. For each type, each nation's operation of the type is covered including the use of each in various conflicts. When it comes to these, each of the various combat events are covered. In addition, a full serial sequence is provided providing what is known of its constructor number, military serial, along with what happened to each air frame.

Adding to all this, the book provides a large number of images as well as the usual full page profiles. It is a book that makes for a great reference for the types and one that I can very much recommend to you.

July 2026

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