The SIAI-Marchetti S.205 is an Italian four-seat, single-engine, light airplane, manufactured by SIAI-Marchetti. The S.205 made its maiden flight in 1965. The Italian Air Force employs a version called S.208.
The S.205 was the brainchild of the SIAI-Marchetti head designer Alexander Brena in 1964. Brena wanted to make a light, general-purpose aircraft, which led to the S.205. The aircraft was all-metal, low-winged, single-engined and provided space for four persons. Further development led into the S.208, which had a 260 hp engine, retractable landing gear, and 5 seats. Other planned, but never realized versions were the S.206 and S.210.[citation needed]
Approximately 65 fuselages were transported to the United States, to be assembled in Syracuse, New York by the Waco Aircraft Company. With the death of Mr. Berger, the president of the company, the assembly of the S.205 came to a halt[when?] in the US.[citation needed]
Operational historyedit
The Italian Air Force acquired 45 aircraft for use as liaison, glider-towing, and training aircraft. The military version, called S.208M, differed from the civil version through its avionics, its two doors for the cockpit, the possibility to mount a hook to tow gliders, and the lack of some fuel tanks. The first 4 delivered aircraft were S.205s, but were later converted into S.208s.
Two aircraft were also sold to Tunisia, who used them for pilot training.[1]
Many S.205 aircraft were purchased by private pilot owners in Europe and elsewhere.
Variantsedit
S.205
basic version, metal, single-engine four-seat airplane, the F version had a fixed undercarriage, while the R version had a retractable undercarriage. It was offered with three different engines:
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SIAI-Marchetti S.205.
^SIAI-Marchetti S 208 Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
^"SIAI Marchetti S.205 and S.208". SIAI Marchetti aircraft.
^"SIAI Marchetti S.205 and S.208". SIAI Marchetti aircraft.
^"S.208M". Aeronautica Militare. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
^Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1966). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1966–67. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. pp. 100–101.
^Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1971). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72 (62nd ed.). London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company. pp. 130–131. ISBN 9780354000949.
^Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.