View source for Aermacchi AL-60

{{Short description|American civilian utility aircraft}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2011}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = LASA-60 / AL-60 / C4M Kudu
 |image = File:Macchi AL60B2 D-EOZW Worms 06.06.75 edited-2.jpg
 |caption = Operational Aermacchi AL-60B-2 registered in Germany
 |type =Utility aircraft
 |manufacturer = [[Lockheed Corporation]] 
 |builder = [[Lockheed-Azcarate]]<br />[[Aermacchi]]<br />[[Atlas Aircraft Corporation]]
 |designer = [[Al Mooney]]
 |first_flight = 15 September 1959<ref name="JAWA61 p272">Taylor 1961, p. 272.</ref>
 |introduction =
 |retired =
 |status = Retired
 |primary_user = [[Mexican Air Force]]
 |more_users = [[South African Air Force]]
 |produced = 1974-1979 South Africa
 |number_built =~180
 |variants = [[Northwest Ranger]]
}}
[[File:Lockheed LASA-60 XB-GUZ c61 (mfr via RJF) (18350167242).jpg|thumb|Lockheed-Azacárate LASA 60]]

The '''Aermacchi AL-60''' is a light civil utility aircraft of the late 1950s and early 1960s, originally designed by [[Al Mooney]] of [[Lockheed Corporation|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. It was also built in quantity under licence by [[Aermacchi]] in Italy<ref>{{cite journal|title=none|journal=Flying|date=December 1969|page=8}}</ref> and [[Atlas Aircraft Corporation]] in South Africa.

==Design and development==
In the late 1950s, the American aircraft designer [[Al Mooney]], who had recently joined [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] after leaving [[Mooney International Corporation|the company that bore his name]], was given the task of designing a utility aircraft, the CL-402, suitable for use in underdeveloped countries. As Lockheed could not build the design at an economic price in the United States, it was instead intended for the aircraft to be built under licence outside the United States, where labour costs were lower.<ref name="abap19">Simpson 2023, p. 19</ref><ref name="ae92p51">Flores, Kuhn & Davis 2001, p. 51</ref> The first prototype CL-402, powered by a {{convert|250|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Continental IO-470]]-G engine, flew for the first time at Lockheed's [[Marietta, Georgia]] on 15 September 1959, with a second prototype, powered by a turbocharged TSIO-470-B engine rated at {{convert|260|hp|kW|abbr=on}} followed a few months later.<ref name="abap19"/><ref name="ae92p512">Flores, Kuhn & Davis 2001, pp. 51–52</ref> 

The initial production deal was made with [[Mexico]], where a joint venture,  [[Lockheed-Azcarate]] SA (LASA) was set up to build the CL-402 as the LASA-60, with a factory being built near [[San Luis Potosí (city)|San Luis Potosí]].<ref name="ae92p51"/> [[Type certificate|Type certification]] by the US [[Federal Aviation Administration]] was received on 5 April 1960.<ref name="abap20">Simpson 2023, p. 20</ref> While it was planned that 240 aircraft would be built by LASA by 1963, the type was less popular than hoped, with LASA stopping production in April 1962.<ref name="ae92p52">Flores, Kuhn & Davis 2001, p. 52</ref> LASA built 41 LASA-60s, with 18 aircraft purchased by the [[Mexican Air Force]].<ref name="abap20"/>

A second joint venture was set up with Argentina, between Lockheed and [[Industrias Kaiser Argentina]], with the name Aviones Lockheed-Kaiser.<ref name="abap20"/><ref name="JAWA61 p7">Taylor 1961, p. 7.</ref> Production began of a batch of 16 aircraft in 1961, but was stopped after 11 had been completed.<ref name="abap20"/>
 
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 [[Conventional landing gear|taildragger]] arrangement.

The AL-60C version was built under license by [[Atlas Aircraft Corporation]] in [[South Africa]]. This aircraft was known as Atlas C4M 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. They have been re-engined with turbine engines. This design is known as the Atlas Angel or Turbine Kudu.<ref>[http://www.airnews.co.za/November/article_nov_kudu_turbo_prop.html World Airnews - Kudu with a Turboprop - Birth of an Angel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330153425/http://www.airnews.co.za/November/article_nov_kudu_turbo_prop.html |date=March 30, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.skydiveparys.co.za/about-skydiving-south-africa/aircraft/lockheed-atlas-angel/|title=Lockheed Atlas Angel Skydiving Aircraft|access-date=2019-04-07|archive-date=2019-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407075624/http://www.skydiveparys.co.za/about-skydiving-south-africa/aircraft/lockheed-atlas-angel/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1968 Macchi sold the rights to the aircraft to [[Northwest Industries]] of [[Edmonton, Alberta]], [[Canada]] and the design was developed into the [[Northwest Ranger]], with development continuing until 1972.<ref name="P&P">Plane and Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', page 58. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. {{ISBN|0-918312-00-0}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:Lockheed CL402 Kaizer LQ-GOM Don Torcuato BA 23.04.72 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Industrias Kaiser Argentina|Kaiser]]-built L-402 at Don Torcuato near [[Buenos Aires]] in 1972]]
[[File:Atlas C4M Kudu-001.jpg|thumb|An Atlas C4M Kudu at the [[South African Air Force Museum]]]]
[[File:Lockheed-Azcárate LASA-60 2.jpg|thumb|Lockheed-Azcárate LASA-60 at the [[Mexican Air Force Museum]].]]

;CL-402
:Lockheed prototypes powered by a turbocharged {{convert|260|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Continental O-470|Continental TSIO-470-B]] engine.<ref name=":0" />
;CL-402-2
:As CL-402 but powered by a {{convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Continental O-470|Continental IO-470-R]] engine.<ref name=":0" />
;LASA-60
:CL-402 and CL-402-2 built by [[Lockheed-Azcarate]] in Mexico.  44 built.  Production in Argentina by [[Industrias Kaiser Argentina|Lockheed-Kaiser]] was canceled.<ref name=":0" />
;AL-60B-1 Santa Maria
:Original Aermacchi-built version with [[tricycle landing gear]] and powered by a {{convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Continental O-470|Continental IO-470-R]] engine.  Four built.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Simpson |first=R. W. |title=Airlife's General Aviation |publisher=Airlife Publishing |year=1991 |isbn=1853105775 |edition=2nd |pages=15–16}}</ref>
;AL-60B-2 Santa Mari
:Production Aermacchi version tricycle landing gear and powered by a turbocharged {{convert|260|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Continental O-470|Continental TSIO-470-B]].  81 built.<ref name=":0" />
;AL-60C-4
:Version with [[conventional landing gear]], a separate pilot's door, a larger vertical stabilizer, and powered by a geared {{convert|340|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Lycoming O-480|Lycoming GSO-480-B1]] engine.  One prototype built.<ref name=":0" />
;AL-60C-4M Kudu
:Built by [[Atlas Aircraft Corporation|Atlas]]  for the [[South African Air Force]] with a geared {{convert|340|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Lycoming O-480|Lycoming GSO-480-B1B3]] engine.  43 total built; three prototypes and 40 production aircraft.<ref name=":0" />
;AL-60C-5 Conestoga
:Production version of the AL-60C-4 with a strengthened airframe and powered by a {{convert|400|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Lycoming IO-720|Lycoming IO-720-A1A]] engine.  13 built.<ref name=":0" />
;AL-60D-3
:As AL-60B-2 but powered by a geared [[Continental O-470|Continental GIO-470-R]].  One built.<ref name=":0" />
;AL-60F-5 Trojan
:As AL-60C-5 but with tricycle landing gear.  One built.<ref name=":0" />

==Operators==
;{{CAF}}
*[[Central African Republic Air Force]]
;{{ITA}}
*[[Italian Air Force]]  operated one Aermacchi AL-60 from 1962 until 1963<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/italy/af/ital-af2-all-time.htm | title = Italian Air Force | publisher = aeroflight |access-date = 3 June 2019}}</ref>
;{{MEX}}
*[[Mexican Air Force]]
;{{MTN}}
*[[Military of Mauritania]]
;{{Flag|Rhodesia}}
*[[Rhodesian Air Force]]
;{{Flag|South Africa|1928}}
*[[South African Air Force]]
;{{TUN}}
;{{ZIM}}
*[[Air Force of Zimbabwe]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-africa/zim/af/zim-af-all-time.htm|title = Air Force of Zimbabwe Aircraft Types}}</ref>

==Specifications (AL-60B2)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67<ref name="JAWA66 p88-9">Taylor 1966, pp. 88–89.</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=One
|capacity=6-8 passengers / {{convert|602|kg|abbr=on}} max. payload
|length m=8.79
|span m=11.84
|height m=3.25
|wing area sqm=19.54
|aspect ratio=7.2:1
|airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 23016]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 4412]]
|empty weight kg=998
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=1746
|fuel capacity={{cvt|322|L|USgal impgal}} in six wing tanks
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Continental TSIO-470-B-A1A]]
|eng1 type=6-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine
|eng1 hp=260

|prop blade number=3
|prop name=constant speed propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=

<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=238
|max speed note=at sea level
:::{{cvt|270|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|4800|m}}
|cruise speed kmh=220
|cruise speed note=maximum at 75% power<br />
:::{{cvt|206|km/h|mph kn}} at {{cvt|3000|m}} at 63% power
|stall speed kmh=87
|stall speed note=flaps down
|never exceed speed kmh=283
|range km=885
|range note=with max. fuel
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=6700
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=4.267
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=<br />
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|189|m}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt|183|m}}
*'''Take-off run to {{cvt|15|m}}:''' {{cvt|320|m}}
*'''Landing run from {{cvt|15|m}}:''' {{cvt|318|m}}
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|see also=
||related=
* [[Northwest Ranger]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Cessna 185]]
|lists=
}}

{{Portal|Aviation}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite magazine|last1=Flores|first1=Santiago A.|title=Station Wagon: LASA-60, a Mexican Dream Turned Sour |magazine=Air Enthusiast |date=March–April 2001|issue=92|pages=50–53 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Simpson |first=Rod |title=The Voyage of the Santa Maria |magazine=Air-Britain Aviation World |date=Spring 2023 |pages=19–23 |issn=1742-996X}}
* [[John W. R. Taylor|Taylor, John W. R.]] ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1961.
* Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1966.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://modocharlie.com/2011/10/lasa-60-en-chile-%c2%a1yo-lo-conoci/ photograph and details (in Spanish) of the sole Chilean example, c/n 1002]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20030215060714/http://www.a2oxford.info/ AL60 photographs and info in Rhodesia]}}
* [http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=56414 Atlas Kudu Survivors List with Pictures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008171602/http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=56414 |date=2011-10-08 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090424070727/http://www.aircraft.co.za/Encyclopedia/A/266.php Aircraft.co.za - Aermacchi AL-60 / Atlas Kudu]

{{Lockheed}}
{{Aircraft of Mexico}}
{{Aermacchi aircraft}}
{{Atlas/Denel aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aermacchi Al-60}}
[[Category:Atlas Aircraft Corporation aircraft|Kudu]]
[[Category:1960s Italian civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Lockheed aircraft|L-0402]]
[[Category:Macchi aircraft|AL-60]]
[[Category:1950s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1959]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]