Aerospatiale SOCATA Rallye 893

The Rallye series begun life with the Morane Saulnier M.S.880, an all-metal low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. First flown on June 10th 1959, it was then produced in a number of 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 Weizmann, for his part in the conclusion of the Mirage IIIC deal between Israel and France. The plane arrived in Israel sometime 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.

Sources: IAF Inventory