Variants
Magister variants were few and far between. The CM.170 were used to categorize the three prototypes and the follow-up ten pre-production airframes. The CM.170-1 became the first production version and fitted a pair of Turbomeca Marbore II turbojet engines. An impressive total of 761 systems were ultimately produced with license-production handled in Germany, Israel and France making this the definitive Magister model.
The CM.170-2 "Super Magister" fitted uprated Marbore IV turbojet engines of 1,055lbf to which some 137 examples were ultimately produced. The CM.171 "Makula" was a one-off prototype fitting the Turbomeca Gabizo series engines into an enlarged frame. The engines produced whopping 2,422lbf for the light airframe though this prototype was lost to an accident on March 20th, 1957. The CM.173 "Super Magister" fitted Marbore Super VI series turbojet engines of 1,080lb thrust each. This model also featured ejection seats for both crew but was only produced in a single flyable prototype example (detailed elsewhere on this site). The Fouga 90 and similar 90A were failed attempts at modernizing the Magistar, each fitting a slightly different version of the Turbomeca Astafan engine. In addition to the updated engines, these Magistars were also given facelifts to their canopies and avionics suites. Neither form secured any contracts.
The Magister existed in a dedicated naval form as the CM.175 Zephyr, a carrier-capable basic trainer variant serving with the French Navy's Aeronavale for a time. Outwardly the system maintains a similar appearance to its land-based counterpart though an arrestor hook, nose-mounted light, revised canopies and reinforced undercarriage were all new to the Zephyr. Of note for this Magister variant is the lack of ejection seats for the crew. The prototype first flew on July 31st, 1956 under the early designation of CM.170M Esquif. Thirty-two such aircraft were delivered to the Aeronavale.
Magisters and the Globe
Magisters earned a relatively strong production total thanks to their sale in the world market. Beyond France's 397 examples, the aircraft was purchased by nations in Africa, South America and Europe. Of note were the 50 Magisters delivered to Belgium, the 52 becoming a part of the Israeli Air Force (36 were license-production airframes) and the 80 serving the Finnish Air Force. Germany was the other major operator totaling 250 production examples. Morocco utilized at least 21 of the type at a later date, these delivered as "used" from France and Germany.
In Action
The Magister saw combat with the Israeli Air Force in the 1967 Six Day War versus Jordan. This particular version of the Magister was in fact a license-production model under the IAI Tzukit designation. Though fielded in some number, the Tzukit was essentially outmatched leading to unacceptable losses for the IAF. Other combat experience of note came in Katanga where rebel forces waged a campaign against the communist government. Like the Israeli experience, these systems fared equally as poor.
Miscellaneous
The Fouga Magister is often credited with becoming the first purpose-built twin-seat jet-powered trainer. However, other systems fitting this same description managed to become airborne some time before the Magister leading some to question the claim.
French use of the Magister ended in the 1970's after the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet was selected to become the air forces next jet trainer.
Of the hundred or so Fouga Magisters in Finnish service, at least 20 of these were lost to accident with six causing loss of lives.
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