History:
The SIAI-Marchetti SF.260M military trainer was introduced in 1970 as an improved model of the original SF.260 designed by Stelio Frati. In the late 1970s an armed version, the SF.260W Warrior was introduced. It had provisions for two strong points to carry rocket or 7.62 mm FN machine gun pods. The C model was a civilian model of the W that rolled off the same production line at Sesto Calende but without the external hard points fitted. The SF.260 is still used as a trainer by the Italian, Belgian, Turkish and Philipine Air Forces.
I first flew the SF.260MS in 1975 during military flight training in the Republic of Singapore Air Force. I was a 20 year old private pilot with 100 hours on 152s and 172s and was immediately spoiled for life! I had to have my own one day, and today in America, I do! 25ME never served in the military. I am the warbird connection. The aircraft can do aerobatics and is easy to fly in formation. I fly solid IFR regularly and have taken her to the Bahamas, Canada, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Belize and Honduras. The 12 inch N numbers are necessary for border crossings and the camo paint lets her fit in with the aircraft of the RedStar Pilot Association with whom I fly with during the warbird airshow at AirVenture.
Registration Number | Date of Manufacture |
N25ME | 1983 |
Aircraft Role | Nickname |
Primary Trainer | |
Aircraft Type: | Wingspan: |
SIAI Marchetti SF.260C | 28 ft |
Overall length: | Empty weight: |
1800 lb | |
Gross weight: | Fuel capacity: |
Military: 2866 lb | 61 US gal |
Oil capacity | Engine type: |
12 qt | Lycoming AEIO-540D4A5 |
Propeller type: | Max Speed |
Hartzell 2 blade | Cruise: 170 KTAS |
Rate of Climb | Cruise Speed |
1500 fpm | 165 KTAS |
Service Ceiling | Number of Crew |
3 | |
Armament | Bomb Load |
Two rocket or gun pods in SF.260W Warrior | |
Number Built | Number Surviving |
800+ | Approx 80 in USA |
Restoration Images
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Printable QR Codes for: SIAI-Marchetti SF.260C flown by Dave Tan:
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