Aermacchi AL-60
| LASA-60 / AL-60 / C4M Kudu | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Operational Aermacchi AL-60B-2 registered in Germany | |
| Role | Utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer |
Lockheed-Azcarate Aermacchi Atlas Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | Al Mooney |
| First flight | 15 September 1959 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users |
Mexican Air Force South African Air Force |
| Produced | 1974-1979 South Africa |
| Variants | Northwest Ranger |
The Aermacchi AL-60 was a light civil utility aircraft of the late 1950s and early 1960s, originally designed by Al Mooney of Lockheed in the United States. After the company decided not to build the aircraft in the US, it was manufactured in small quantities in Mexico and a few were assembled in Argentina (Santa Isabel, Córdoba, by Aviones Lockheed-Kaiser Argentina but the new factory was never built). It was also built in quantity under licence by Aermacchi in Italy and Atlas Aircraft Corporation.
Lockheed flew only two prototypes of the AL-60 (in 1959) before deciding that it would be unprofitable in the US marketplace. Instead, the company chose to manufacture it under a joint venture in Mexico as Lockheed-Azcarate (LASA). 18 were produced in 1960 for the Mexican Air Force, as the LASA-60.
In Italy, Aermacchi purchased a licence to produce the type, first in its original configuration as the AL-60B, then in a modified version for various African customers as the AL-60C. This latter version changed from the original tricycle undercarriage to a taildragger arrangement.
The AL-60C version was built under license by Atlas Aircraft Corporation in South Africa. This aircraft was designated the Atlas C4M and known as the Kudu. Over 40 aircraft were built and served the South African Air Force between 1974 and 1991.
A number of C4M Kudu aircraft are still flying privately and have proven well in the role of skydive release aircraft. There is currently a project underway to re-engine the Kudu with turbine engines. This design known as the Atlas Angel or Turbine Kudu.
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Wikipedia