Special Hobby 1/72 SF.260M/AM/W

The SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 (now Leonardo SF-260) is an Italian light aircraft which has been commonly marketed as a military trainer and aerobatics aircraft.

The SF.260 was designed by Italian aircraft designer Stelio Frati, while production work originally performed by Milan-based aviation manufacturer Aviamilano. On 15 July 1964, the first prototype performed its maiden flight (then designated F.260). Shortly thereafter, responsibility for production was transferred to SIAI Marchetti, who had purchased the rights to the design; manufacturing continued to be performed by this firm until the company was bought by Aermacchi in 1997.

The SF.260 has been largely sold to military customers as a trainer and light combat aircraft. In addition, there have been limited civil sales to private operators; during the late 1960s, the type was marketed in the United States under the name Waco Meteor. Armed military versions, sold as the SF.260W Warrior, proved to be popular with smaller air forces, which could arm the type for use in the close air support role. Both piston-powered and turboprop-powered models have been developed.

This is one of what I imagine are several boxings of this kit as CMR companies rarely do just a one off. Upon opening the box, one is greeted (hello) by two large and three smaller sprues, one of which is clear. In order to be able to build multiple boxings from the same sprues, there are a fair number of parts that will not be used in this boxing. One needs to determine which marking option will be done quite early as there are different instrument panels from which to choose. Kit interior has seats, instrument panel, control sticks and rudder pedals. There are seat harness decals for the seats, which is a nice touch. Once everything is in place on the flat floor, the bulkheads are installed.

Next the interior is trapped in the fuselage halves. One needs to do a fair amount of trimming and drilling to properly represent the variant being built. Wings are a single piece and are then glued in place along with the tailplanes and the nose gear well. While the instructions do indicate that weight is needed, just how much is not provided. Based on the really short wheelbase, I'd say you need a lot and to fill that need, every available space forward of the main gear wells needs to be filled with weight. A wise builder will assemble the tailplanes, then before gluing the wings, add weight and just tape the wings in place to see if it is enough.

Once satisfied, construction can continue with the nose section, tip tanks and the canopy. Landing gear is next and if you are doing an armed version, the final bits will be the wing pylons and rocket pods. Instructions call for small segments of 2mm wire to be used for various antennas and the gear doors.

Instructions are well done with a goodly amount of color. Separate alignment drawings are also provided. Three markings options are in this one with one being the Belgian plane on the box art. Another is an orange Italian version and finally a dark green Irish Air Corps aircraft. This is the one that should be armed. Decals are well done and should be thin enough for all. I do wonder if they will be opaque enough when put on bright surfaces, but I guess we will see.

This looks like it will build into a very nice model. All the schemes are interesting and for the most part, colorful. I would, however, be ready with a section of stiff wire for the rear fuselage in case you cannot keep it from tail sitting.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIAI-Marchetti_SF.260

December 2024

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