status SF.260W fleet

[hendriksf260]

what is the current status of the SF.260W fleet ?

Are they still in storage at Baldonnel ?
Or are they worked on for their new owner ? Like being dismantled and put into crates ?

Is there a timeframe known when these SF.260's will be moved ?

regards,
Hendrik

[Fouga]

I think i read recently in flyinginireland magazine that they are gone, but im sure one of our Air Corps Personnel here on the Board will give you the Information you need.

[Claudel Hopson]

The SF260's were dismantled, crated and shipped to the US recently.

The only one remaining here will be for the Museum and its tail number is 231.

[hendriksf260]

any date or month when this was happening ?

Did someone take photos of the work being done ? Disassembling, crating etc. I would be interrested to have a look at some.

Hendrik

[Tony Kearns]

Hendrik,
The SF260's were dismantled,crated and despatched in December to the USA and have been purchased by Airpower International based in California.
HTH
Tony K

[hendriksf260]

Tony thanks,

nice photo of SF.260 '230', love to see some more if possible.
Please contact me off message board about this.


I have contacted the boss of Airpower International and he told me,
that the 6 SF.260s would be arriving at his hangar in California this week (week 3).

Hendrik

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all
I wonder if any will be kept in Irish colours and flown onthe "warbird" circuit over there.They might end up being used for "air combat".Who'll be the first forumite to see them in their new home?
regards
GttC

[Fouga23]

I hope they stay in Irish colors. I really like the look of them '>

[Tony Kearns]

Anybody remember the White Sf260's at Gormansburgh in 1992 ? I believe that they are back in the USA
Tony K

[Fouga]

Quote (GoneToTheCanner @ 18 Jan. 2007,05:18)

They might end up being used for "air combat".

Isnt that what the Company does who is buying them? They were on Disc Wings before!

[hendriksf260]

yep, the 'white' F.260D are back in the States, since late 1993.

N402FD and N405FD flying dogfights with Air Combat USA, although the owner of the aircraft changed its name.

N407FD left for the States in 2001 for a private owner / corporation.

I will keep his forum informed about the fate of the former Irish SF.260W aircraft.

hendrik

[Claudel Hopson]

If I'm not mistaken one of the white sf260's was fatally crashed a few years ago. Not sure which one though.

[hendriksf260]

F.260D, s/n. 769, N404FD crashed 2 Nov 1995 at Grand Canyon, AZ., pilot serious injured. The fuel lines sucked in air from the still installed ferrytanks resulting in fuel starvation.
N404FD was in the UK from Apr 1995 till Oct 1995, said to be based at North Weald during that period. It left North Weald on 25 Oct 1995 for a ferry flight to Santa Monica, CA. But diverted into Glasgow, leaving there the 26th.
To my knowledge N404FD was not leased to the Irish Air Corps.

Hendrik

[RMR]

I remember those marchettis in gormanstown,were they not owned by a guy called Pat BYrne......i remember having a look around them in the hangers,there were 3 of them if i remember correctly......

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
The White Marchettis were connected to Pat Byrne of Cityjet, who ran a little outfit out in Weston, offering "the 260 for £260", after they were finished with Air Corps duty.They were touted as a package just like the Air Combat lot in the States, but they were missing the essential elements of video and smoke dischargers.Given that £260 was the price of four hours in a 172 or an hour in a twin, the flying public stayed away in droves.It faded away and the aircraft were ferried back to America.
They were originally sourced from one Frank Strickler's Fox51 Aviation company, near Dallas.
They were well-liked by the Don's pilots because they were lighter and faster than the home aircraft.
regards
GttC