Aerospatiale SOCATA Rallye 893
The Rallye series begun life
with the Morane Saulnier M.S.880, an all-metal low-wing
monoplane with retractable landing gear. First flown
on June 10th 1959, it was then produced in a number
of variants. The M.S. 893 variant was intended as an agricultural aircraft, but was developed as a tourer
instead.
In the mid 1960s a single
M.S.893 was awarded by Aerospatiale to the IAF commander-in-chief, Ezer
Weizmann, for his
part in the conclusion of the Mirage
IIIC deal between Israel and France.
The plane arrived in Israel sometime between
April 1966 and June 1967 and served as
a light liaison aircraft with the 129th
light transport squadron. It was later
sold off to a civilian operator.
Specification: Aerospatiale SOCATA
Rallye 893
Type: four seat touring light plane.
Powerplant: one Lycoming O-360-A2A.
Performance: max speed - 240km/h,
service ceiling - 2,400m, range - 1,050km.
Weights: empty - 570kg, max takeoff
- 1,050kg.
Dimensions: span - 9.61m, length -
7.24m, height - 2.80m.
Armament: none.
Sources: IAF Inventory |