The Aérospatiale (Nord Aviation) 262A is a twin-engine short-haul commuter airliner turboprop for up to 29
passengers. Originally known as the MH262 Super Broussard, the Nord 262 was designed by the former la Société
des Avions Max Holste. Development of a 17-seat light commuter airliner, known as the M.H.250 Super Broussard
started in 1957. The prototype of the MH250, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Wasp-1830
piston engines, flew first on 20 May 1959. It was soon realised that turboprops should be employed
and further development resulted in the MH260 with enlarged fuselage and powered by Turboméca Bastan
turboprops. In October 1959, Avions Max Holste entered into a co-production arrangement with Nord
Aviation so that the new aircraft could be manufactured. On 16 February 1960, Cessna Aircraft
acquired a 49% shareholding in la Société des Avions Max Holste, which was entitled the Société
Nouvelle des Avions Max Holste. This name was afterwards changed into Reims Aviation S.A.
The prototype of the M.H.260, the F-WJDV, flew on 29 July 1960. Ten MH260 with its rectangular
section fuselage were built by Nord Aviation as the Nord 260. In 1961 started a significant redesign
of the Nord 260. This resulted in the Nord 262 that had a redesigned fuselage with a circular cross
section, pressurisation and more powerful powerplants. On 24 December 1962, this pressurised Nord 262 made
its first flight. On 1 January 1970, the main three French nationalised aircraft companies - Sud-Aviation,
Nord Aviation and the missile manufacturing company, SEREB - were merged into Aérospatiale.
As a result of this merger the Nord 262 became a product of Aérospatiale. When production ended in 1976,
a total of 110 Aerospatiale (Nord) 262 were built. |
On 30 March 1967, Nord 262A s/n 33 was flown first flight as F-WNDD. On 8 July 1967, the airliner was delivered as OY-BCO
to Cimber Air, Denmark. On 9 June 1977, registration OY-BCO was cancelled as exported to the USA. On 26 July 1977, the Nord
262A was registered N274A with Altair. The N274A was transferred to National Commuter Airlines in April 1982; leased to Pompano
Airways in January 1984. On 3 March 1999, registration N274A was cancelled as exported to Honduras. In Honduras the Nord 262
entered service as HR-ARP with Aerolineas SOSA. In 2004, Nord 262A HR-ARP was withdrawn from use. In 2010, the remains of the
aircraft were seen in bad condition at La Ceiba in Honduras. On 11 April 1970, Nord 262A OY-BCO and OY-BKR of Cimber Air
Denmark A/S came in at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Nord 262A is N262. |
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