SIAI-Marchetti SF.260

The SIAI-Marchetti SF.260, now sold as the Leonardo SF-260, is an Italian light aircraft that has been marketed mainly as a military trainer and as an aerobatic aircraft. It was designed by Stelio Frati, and Milan-based Aviamilano first built it. The first prototype, then called the F.260, made its maiden flight on 15 July 1964. Soon afterwards SIAI Marchetti bought the rights to the design and took over production, which stayed with that firm until Aermacchi bought the company in 1997. Most sales went to military customers as trainers and light combat aircraft, and civil sales to private owners were limited. In the late 1960s the type was sold in the United States as the Waco Meteor, though it had no connection with the Waco Aircraft Company. The armed SF.260W Warrior proved popular with smaller air forces that wanted a close air support aircraft. Both piston-powered and turboprop-powered models were developed, among them the SF.260C, the SF.260TP and the SF.260EA. Production continued at a low rate until 2017, and 976 aircraft including prototypes were built.