October 12, 2026

Preview: Italeri's new 72nd scale Aermacchi M-346 Master

Italeri goes down a scale with their new-tooled 72nd scale Aermacchi M-346 Master, due in November. We look at colour choices, decals & details about the model in our preview...


Preview: Italieri's new 72nd scale Aermacchi M-346 Master 

Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master 
From Italeri
No #1480
1/72nd scale
100% new mould kit
Photo-etch included
Five marking choices in the box
Available in the first weeks of November
The Subject:
The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master emerged from a joint venture in the 1990s between Italy’s Aermacchi and Russia’s Yakovlev, which originally sought to create a unified next-generation trainer. When the partnership dissolved, Aermacchi independently developed the design into the M-346, heavily modifying the airframe to incorporate advanced Western avionics, fly-by-wire flight control systems, and dual Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines. First taking flight in 2004, the aircraft was engineered specifically to bridge the widening training gap between traditional intermediate trainers and complex fifth-generation frontline fighters like the F-35 Lightning II.

Alenia Aermacchi T-346A Master 61-04 in 2015.
Beyond its primary role as an advanced lead-in fighter trainer, the M-346 has proven itself to be a highly versatile multi-role platform. Renamed the M-346 Fighter Attack (FA), the variant features an integrated tactical radar and wingtip missile rails, allowing it to execute light combat, air policing, and close air support missions cost-effectively. 

Operated as a demonstrator by Leonardo. this Master is seen departing after taking part in the 2017 Royal International Air Tattoo. RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK.
Today, the platform operates successfully across the globe, serving the air forces of Italy, Israel, Poland, and Singapore, cementing its status as one of the most capable advanced trainers in modern military aviation.

61st Wing M-346 of the Italian Air Force captured mid-flight during a bank over the water.

The kit from Italeri
Italeri expands its 1/72nd scale aviation lineup with an all-new tool release of the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master (Kit 1480). Capturing the sleek lines of the modern twin-engine advanced jet trainer, this high-quality plastic model kit is designed with absolute accuracy in mind, offering finely detailed parts that closely replicate the real-world prototype. The completed model provides a compact finished length of approximately 160 mm, making it an ideal subject for contemporary aviation collections and space-conscious aircraft displays.
The engineering of this 100% new-tool release targets advanced builders looking for high fidelity in a small scale. Italeri's breakdown utilises modern tooling standards to capture the complex tandem canopy geometry, subtle aerodynamic fairings, and delicate under-wing hardpoints. The kit includes a comprehensive multi-view colour painting guide and a dense technical decal sheet to ensure a highly accurate final finish. Full details and pre-order tracking can be found directly on the Italeri Product Page.

Feature List
1/72 scale plastic model kit
Moulds: 100% brand-new tooling
Five marking choices are included in this boxing.
Dimensions: model length of 160 mm
Instructions: Includes a comprehensive step-by-step assembly manual and a full-colour painting layout guide.

Markings are included for 5 distinct versions
International Marking Options: Features official livery choices representing operators such as Italy (the Aeronautica Militare logo featured on the box front), Israel, and Poland:

The decal sheet printed by Cartograf
• Version A (Italian Air Force): M-346 Master (MM55151) from the 61° Stormo, 212° Gruppo, International Flight Training School (IFTS) at Decimomannu AFB, Sardinia (July 2025).
• Version B (Italian Air Force): M-346 Master (MM55229) with a special Italian tricolor tail graphic from the 61st Stormo, 212th Gruppo, IFTS at Decimomannu AFB, Sardinia (October 2024).
• Version C (Polish Air Force): M-346 "Bielik" (s/n 7716) from the 4th Training Wing at Dęblin AFB, Poland (2022).
• Version D (Hellenic Air Force): M-346B "Silver Hawk" (s/n 254) from the 120th ATW, 362nd ATS at Kalamata AFB, Greece (2024).
• Version E (Republic of Singapore Air Force): M-346 (s/n 328) from the 150 Squadron, based detachment at BA 120 Cazaux, France (April 2018).
This kit will be available in the first weeks of November.

We will present more news on this kit as it comes to hand. For more on Italeri's kits, check out their website...