Fouga CM.170 Magister

The Fouga CM.170 Magister was an early jet-powered primary trainer first developed in the late 1940s. Entering service in the mid-1950s, the Fouga Magister was soon also used as a close air support aircraft during a number of Middle Eastern and African conflicts. In addition to the main production lines being located in France, the type was also built under licence in Finland and Israel. The Magister also became a popular aerobatic aircraft and became the aircraft of choice for a variety of display teams around the world, including the Patrouille de France who operated the type until it was replaced by the Dassault Alpha Jet in 1981.

Fouga Magister F-AZZP is based at Le Havre-Octeville airport after being returned to airworthy condition in 2009 by the Association for the Preservation of French Aeronautical Heritage (APPAF). The aircraft had previously been in storage at Châteaudun since 1988 following its retirement from the French Air Force service until it was acquired by the APPAF in 1996. In addition to the Magister, the association also operate an ex-French Army Aerospatiale Gazelle.

The APPAF will be sending their Fouga Magister for static display at RIAT25.

Photo Credit: Rich Cooper