Aermacchi

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Aermacchi, formerly Aeronautica Macchi, is an Italian aircraft manufacturer founded in 1913 by Giulio Macchi at Varese in north-western Lombardy, 55 km north of Milan. Originally the firm made seaplanes which explains the factory's location on the shores of Lake Varese.

The company now specialises in civil and military pilot training. In the 50 to late 70s they produced motorcycles.

Macchi's initial designs were racing seaplanes competing for the Schneider Trophy:

Macchi M.33
Macchi M.39
Macchi M.52
Macchi M.C.72

During World War II, the company produced the following combat aircraft:

Postwar products include the following:

[edit] Motorcycle History

Soon after World War II had ended it was decided to start peacetime production with a three-wheeler truck. This was an unorthodox but very good design. Then, anticipating the motor cycle boom and intending to have a stake in it, the Aermacchi chief’s looked for a good designer who could produce an attractive lightweight. Their choice was Lino Tonti, who had been at Benelli and had worked on aircraft engines during the war. Tonti designed a 50cc motorcycle that broke the land speed record for the displacement.

In the 1960s Aermacchi joined in a venture with Harley-Davidson to produce small bikes for the American manufacturer. Aermacchi went on to have success in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing world with rider Renzo Pasolini finishing 2nd in the 1972 250cc Roadracing World Championship. Aermacchi bikes re-badged as Harley-Davidsons won the 250cc Roadracing World Championship three years in a row in 1974, 1975 and 1976. They also won the 350cc World Championship in 1976.