The Aermacchi MB-339 is a military jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed and manufactured by Italian aviation company Aermacchi.
The MB-339 was developed during the 1970s in response to an Italian Air Force requirement that sought a replacement for the service's existing fleet of Aermacchi MB-326. Its design was derived from that of the MB-326, rather than a new design, and thus the two aircraft share considerable similarities in terms of their design. Aermacchi had found that the MB-339 was capable of satisfying all of the specified requirements while being the most affordable option available. The maiden flight of the MB-339 took place on 12 August 1976; the first production aircraft were delivered two years later.
Roughly half of all MB-339s entered service with the Italian Air Force, while the remainder have been sold to various export customers. As well as being used for training, the type is also flown by the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic display team. The type has been used in combat by both the Eritrean Air Force during the Eritrean–Ethiopian War of 1998-2000 and the Argentine Naval Aviation during the Falklands War of 1982. In both conflicts, the MB-339 was typically flown as an attack aircraft.
This version for Microsoft Flight Simulator features:
- Two extremely detailed visual model: MB-339A and MB-339PAN (MLU)
- Extremely detailed cockpit model (front seat only)
- Flight model based on the new Microsoft Flight Simulator model
- Seven different 8K liveries: Frecce Tricolori, Italian Air Force Camouflage, Italian Air Force Ghost Grey, United Arab Emirates, Armada Argentina, Royal Malaysian Air Force and factory colors.
- Custom sound package (in FSX legacy mode)
Known issues at the release (v1.00):
- panel backlighting alway on at night
- Lomcovàk maneuver not supported by flight model
- AHRS/GPS functionality limited to DATA model only
I see now why this ppl and is so well loved by the MSFS community in general. It really is that good!
You’d be hard pressed to find any deal breaking problems with this. It really looks so amazing from every perspective. Very realistic looking. I find it flies very nicely and is totally believable. Only a real pilot would actually know but I cannot complain.
The only issue I have is that the smoke doesn’t work on any of the aircraft that have the function. Maybe it’s just me?
The gun site can’t be lit up for some reason. But these are minor issues considering how well the rest of these are made and sold at a very reasonable price. Must have for those like me who love older military trainers, but definitely something anybody could really enjoy.
It's not so bad, but too many missing features, the biggest being the limited AHRS/GPS, essential for IFR flights.
Also power settings and aerodynamics differ too much from real life.
For the price you pay you get a very nice aircraft with some nice liveries.
Flight dynamics feel really nice to fly but who does really know how it should fly!
Only a real MB-339 pilot could tell us.
But fore sure a nice ac to fly around in MSFS.
The MB-339 is one of the best rated pay mod aircrafts and its absolutely loved by its pilots in MSFS.
Why 3 stars:
The max speed of the MB-339 on sea level is 485 kn, but ingame the ship flys 405-407 kn on sea level. ( all 3 variants) This is a huge misconduct.
The sounds are not the worst but also not the best for the exterior and the interior. Especially comparing to the recently released Hawk T1, the exterior sound seems to need an upgrade to catch up with the latest high standard.
Last but not least, graphic animation of the jet exhaust is completely missing, this ends up in a very static and "lifeless" flying experience, at least from the exterior perspective. The Hawk T1 shows off, how great this can look in MSFS these days.
Finally also the plus points: Graphics are amazing. The model is looking great , also from the interior they have done a very impressive job. The flight physics are really nice to fly and very easy and forgiving for misstakes or inaccurate flying.
I really hope the developers will spend some more time and effort to bring an update with corrected speeds and more features, like animated jet exhaust and improved sounds.
Perfect, amazing, brilliant, do i need to say more? This is a must have. The aircraft is highly detailed. Lot of functions, amazing realistisc flight model.