Signor Marchetti - Belgian National Day 2016

[Homebee]

Seen on July 21st, 2016, at their Beauvechain homebase, ready for the National Day flypast, some Belgian Air Component SIAI SF.260M/D Marchettis.
Following a decision attributed to the - now just retired - Belgian Defence Chief of Staff, Air Force General G. Van Caelenberge, all the SF.260D (ST-40 to ST-48) are to receive a grey livery. These trainers are also operated by the HQ & Staff pilots for their flying hours. Wagging tongues report that they prefer to fly in grey than in yellow birds as they're fighters not student pilots.
The yellow SF.260M Marchetti (ST01 to ST-36) are mainly dedicated to the basic flying training mission while the red ones are those from the Red Devils display team (https://www.facebook.com/Red-Devils-Belgium-162829870444088/).

 

More about Air Component Marchettis:

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2001/marchettis/marchettis.htm
http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Siai%20Marchetti%20SF260M-D/Siai%20Marchetti%20homepage.html
http://belmilac.wikifoundry.com/page/Siai+Marchetti+SF.260M+-+SF.260D

All these aircraft are currently operated in pool by the 5th "Egyptian Falcon" and 9th "Green Cocotte" Squadrons from the 1st Wing /Basic Flying Training School at Beauvechain AB.
The 1st Wing emblem is a Wolf head.

V.P.

Edited February 11, 2017 by Homebee

[canberraman]

Lovely shots Homebee, even in grey the old SF260 is a nice looking aircraft.

Regards

mark

[Latinbear]

I particularly like the first image and love the colour schemes. Seems a shame to paint them grey as it's rather nice to see some brightly coloured aircraft instead of the usual dull grey. Cheers for sharing them.