The
C.M. 170R "Magister" was developed for the French Air force and
was the world's first jet trainer aircraft to be produced in series.
The first prototype of the light attack and training aircraft took
aloft at Mont-de-Marsan on 23rd july 1952. A year later the second
prototype (C.M. 170R 02) was tested with a central fin instead of
the v-shaped fin of prototype 01. But the v-shape was adopted for
production aircraft. Another improvement over the first prototype
was teh periscope to enhance view from the rear seat of the plane.
The
first production aircraft finally flew on 29th february 1954. Until
the end of manufacturing, a total of 916 airframes were produced.
Amongst the major operators of the type were France, Israel and
Germany.
(taken
from: F-40 # 8, "Fouga C.M.170R Magister")
The
newly formed Bundeswehr was very interested in the introduction
of the C.M. 170R as a new primary jet trainer and ordered a total
of 383 aircraft. This order was later reduced to 234 Magisters.
40 of these were produced in France, the remaining airplanes were
manufactured in Germany by Flugzeug-Union-Süd - a consortium
of Messerschmitt (fuselage) and Heinkel (wings, tail, bow). Final
assembly took place in Munich (later Manching) under control of
Messerschmitt.
The first pair of french produced magisters were delivered to Flugzeugfuehrerschule-A
(FFS-A) on 28th may 1957 and the first example produced in Germany
was handed over on 10th november 1958. All aircraft were delivered
until 1963.
(taken
from: F-40 # 8, "Fouga C.M.170R Magister")
A
rarely known fact is the introduction of the Magisters into german
naval service. The jet equipped airwings MFG 1 and MFG 2 received
a handfull of Magisters, which were to be used as trainer and liaison
aircraft (or simply station hacks). These Magsiters remained in
service until 1969.
