HobbyBoss 1/48th scale AMX A-1A Ground Attack Aircraft

The AMX International AMX is a ground-attack aircraft jointly developed by Brazil and Italy. The AMX is designated A-11 Ghibli by the Italian Air Force and A-1 by the Brazilian Air Force. The Italian name, "Ghibli", is taken from the hot dry wind of the Libyan Desert.

During the early 1970s, Italian manufacturer Aermacchi conducted a design study on a prospective light ground-attack aircraft, which was given the designation of MB-340. In 1977, the Italian Air Force issued a requirement for 187 new-build strike fighters, which were to replace its existing Aeritalia G.91 in the close air support role.

In 1978, both Aeritalia and Aermacchi joined to engage on a single aircraft. During October of the same year the Rolls Royce “Spey” was chosen by the Aeronautica Militare and the two companies started the real development of the AMX that was widely based on the Aeritalia Model 3-20 project.

In 1980, the Brazilian government announced that they intended to participate in the program in order to provide a replacement for the Aermacchi MB-326 used by the Brazilian Air Force. As a result of a memorandum between Italy and Brazil for the aircraft's joint development in 1981, AMX International, an Italian-Brazilian joint venture, was formed to develop, manufacture, and market the aircraft.