SIAI-Marchetti 260W

[Natter]

I have a bit of a 'thing' for aircraft in Irish Air Corps colours, and this is my seventh. Special Hobby's SM 260 may be a better kit, but I really enjoyed this one by Kovozavody Prostejov. I added some seat belts, and some aerials to match the Irish fit, but nothing else. The decals are from Max Decals as the KP ones are the wrong size, don't have the underwing serial, and are obviously pixelated. Unfortunately Max's decals are a little out of register, which is obvious in the photos but less so in reality. The only problem with this kit, and the SH model apparently, is getting enough nose weight in the tiny space available to prevent tail-sitting. There is no guidance in the instructions about how much weight to add, but I crammed little slivers of lead sheet in to every available bit of space between the instrument panel and the front of the engine cowling, cutting tiny pieces to get in to every possible gap; and it was only just enough to hold the nose wheel down.

 

'226' was delivered to the Irish Air Corps in April 1977 and retired in 2006. After retirement and sale it continued to fly in this scheme as N224AP in California, and the registration remains valid at the present time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HPoirot]

Well done managing to make this one a nose sitter! 👍

[cmatthewbacon]

That looks great, Dave… a very elegant colour scheme on a neat aircraft, flawlessly executed. Oh for the days when Aeroclub made white metal props for just such a purpose, eh? 
best,

M.

[Hopesdaddy]

Congratulations on getting her to not sit on her tail (and thanks for the info on how to get it done when I build mine). Great looking finish and build.