Fouga Magister CM.170
The Fouga Magister CM.170 is one of those distinctive aircraft from the Cold War era, with its swallow style tail.
History of the Fouga Magister CM.170
Derived from the underpowered Fouga CM.130 as a replacement for the Armée de l’Air to replace the piston engine Morane-Saulner MS.475 in 1948.
Ordered in 1950, the first of 3 prototypes was flying by 1952. By June 1953 a preproduction batch of 10 aircraft was ordered, followed by an order for 95 production models in January 1954.
The first Magister entered service with the Armée de l’Air in 1956. However, the French were not the only operators of the Magister (see table below).
But a note on foreign Magisters, Israel licensed them as the “Tzukit”. Finland also licensed built the Magister.
Magisters did see action in 3 different conflicts. The 1967 Six Day War, saw Magisters in action with the Israeli air force in the ground attack role. However,
the Magisters did well in the role, but did suffer the loss of 6 aircraft. Another conflict where the Magister was used was during the El Salvador civil war
(1979-1992). No recorded accounts of any being lost. The final conflict was the “Congo Crisis”, where 9 Magisters were used in the ground attack role.
Versions
CM.170
| Speed | Weight | Span | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 444mph (max) | 4,740lb (empty), 6,280lb (max) | 39ft 10in | 33ft 0in |
3 prototypes
CM.170R
| Speed | Weight | Span | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 444mph (max) | 4,740lb (empty), 6,280lb (max) | 39ft 10in | 33ft 0in |
Initial production version of 10
CM.170-1
| Speed | Weight | Span | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 444mph (max) | 4,740lb (empty), 6,280lb (max) | 39ft 10in | 33ft 0in |
Main production version
CM.170-2
| Speed | Weight | Span | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 444mph (max)?? | 4,740lb (empty), 6,280lb (max) | 39ft 10in | 33ft 0in |
Uprated Marboré engines
CM.175 Zéphyr
| Speed | Weight | Span | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 444mph (max)?? | 4,740lb (empty), 6,280lb (max) | 39ft 10in | 33ft 0in |
Trainer for Aéronavale, carrier capable.
IAI Tzukit
| Speed | Weight | Span | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 444mph (max)?? | 4,740lb (empty), 6,280lb (max) | 39ft 10in | 33ft 0in |
Israeli Air Force version, updated with new cockpit, composite materials.
Users
| Country | Service | Model | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Austria | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Bangladesh | Airforce | CM.170 (ex-German) | |
| Belgium | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Biafran | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Brazil | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Cambodia | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Cameroon | Airforce | CM.170 (ex-French) | |
| El Salvador | Airforce | CM.170 (ex-Israeli) | |
| Finland | Airforce | CM.170 (majority built in Finland) | |
| France | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| France | Navy | CM.175 | |
| Gabon | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Germany | Airforce/Navy | CM.170 (majority built in Germany) | |
| Ireland | Air Corp | CM.170-2 | |
| Israel | Airforce | CM.170 (majority built in Isreal) | |
| Katanga | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Khmer Republic | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Lebanon | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Libya | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Morocco | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Nicaragua | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Rwanda | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Senegal | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Togo | Airforce | CM.170 | |
| Uganda | Airforce | CM.170 |
YouTube
Fouga Magister of the Patrouille de France in 1968