AC - Nord 262

The Aérospatiale N 262 was a French twin-prop high-wing airliner built first by Nord Aviation (merged into Aérospatiale in 1970).Originally designed to replace the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain, the prototype utility transport aircraft was designated by Max Holste and designated the Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard it first flew on 20 May 1959. The initial design had the aircraft rather square in shape, and fitted Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines to the aircraft. The second prototype, known as the MH.260, was equipped with Turbomeca Bastan turboprop engines and eventually took its flight just over a year later on 29 July 1960.

Eventually, wholly state-owned Nord Aviation (later renamed Aérospatiale) took over the further development of the aircraft. The new changes that Nord brought to the aircraft were a rounded, pressurized cabin and the new name Nord 262. The new cabin design enabled the aircraft to carry between 24-26 passengers.

The first prototype since the changes by Nord took to the skies for the first time on 24 December 1962. The aircraft received its certificate on 16 July 1964 and entered its initial commercial service with Air Inter of France.

Four of the first aircraft 262A, 262B, 262C, and 262D were built, the first two fitted with Bastan IVC engines, while the C and D models were fitted with the higher powered Bastan VIIC. Of these four aircraft, the latter two saw their first air time in July 1968. Most sales of the initial aircraft were not in the passenger field, but rather the military field. The 262D was the most popular and known as Frégate to the Armée de I'Air.

As for the American designation, the "Mohawk 298" airplanes were modified Nord 262s and first flew on 7 January 1975, equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops

Propliners	Jetliners
Douglas DC-3 Dakota	De Havilland Comet 4
Nord Aviation N262	Vickers-Armstrongs VC10
Hawker Siddeley HS 748	Convair 990 Coronado
Douglas DC-4 Skymaster	Boeing B707 / 720
Lockheed L188 Electra	Douglas DC-8
Lockheed L1049 Super Constellation	Hawker Siddeley HS 121 Trident

I came to admire this machine which could lift virtually any load strapped to its back and carry it anywhere in any weather, safely and dependably. The C-47 groaned, it protested, it rattled, it leaked oil, it ran hot, it ran cold, it ran rough, it staggered along on hot days and scared you half to death, its wings flexed and twisted in a horrifying manner, it sank back to earth with a great sigh of relief - but it flew and it flew and it flew.
- Len Morgan. The C-47 was the U.S. military designation for the DC3 -

Air Ceylon
Nord Aviation N262

N262 Engines

N262 Performance

N262 Weights

N262 Dimensions

N262 Capacity

Air Ceylon Aircraft Index