Brazil Retires Macchi 326 Light Fighters

After 39 years of service, the Brazilian air force is retiring its AT-26 Xavante light fighters from operational service. In a farewell gesture, on December 2 the Xavantes will make a final flypast over Natal, where they have operated since 1974.

The Xavante is the first jet produced in Brazil, and served with combat units throughout the country. Among their main missions was the training of air force pilots between 1974 and 2004.

Altogether, Embraer manufactured 182 Xavante aircraft, 166 of them for Brazil, ten for Paraguay and six for Togo. The Brazilian air force also donated eleven of its own aircraft to the Argentine navy.