CM-170 MAGISTER

The CM-170 Magister is a foundational 1950s French two-seat jet trainer aircraft. Easily recognized by its distinctive V-tail design, the Magister served widely as a primary training platform for air forces globally, including the French Air Force, where it was later replaced by the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet.

The aircraft was originally developed and manufactured by the French firm Établissements Fouga & Cie. Due to a series of industrial mergers within the French aerospace industry, the aircraft has been referenced under various names, including the Potez (Fouga) CM. 170 Magister, aligning with the POTEZ AIR FOUGA designation. Fouga began development in the early 1950s, leading to the first flight in July 1952 and introduction in 1956. Nearly 1,000 units were built in total, including licensed production in West Germany, Israel, and Finland, confirming its success as an indispensable jet trainer of its era.