Aerospatiale SOCATA Rallye 893

The Rallye series began life with the Morane Saulnier M.S.880, an all-metal low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. First flown on June 10, 1959, it was then produced in several variants. The M.S. 893 variant was intended as an agricultural aircraft, but was developed as a tourer instead.

In the mid-1960s, a single M.S.893 was awarded by Aerospatiale to the IAF commander-in-chief, Ezer Weizman, in recognition of his role in concluding the Mirage IIIC deal between Israel and France. The plane arrived in Israel between April 1966 and June 1967 and served as a light liaison aircraft with the 129th Light Transport Squadron. It was later sold off to a civilian operator.

Specification: Aerospatiale SOCATA Rallye 893
Type: four seat touring light plane.
Powerplant: one Lycoming O-360-A2A.
Performance: max speed - 240km/h, service ceiling - 2,400m, range - 1,050km.
Weights: empty - 570kg, max takeoff - 1,050kg.
Dimensions: span - 9.61m, length - 7.24m, height - 2.80m.
Armament: none.

Source: IAF Inventory.