Photograph:
Morane Saulnier Rallye VH-UQH (c/n 11061) at Bankstown, NSW in April 1973 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Three / four seat cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
[MS-880] One 75 kw (100 hp) Continental O-200-A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
[MS-885]: one 108 kw (145 hp) Continental O-300-C four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
[MS-893A/180]: one 134 kw (180 hp) Continental O-360-A2A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- [MS-880B]
- Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
- Length: 6.94 m (22 ft 9 in)
- Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 12.26 m² (132 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 195 km/h (121 mph)
- Max cruising speed at 1,524 m (5,000 ft): 174 km/h (108 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 165 m/min (540 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,200 m (10,500 ft)
- Max range with max fuel: 853 km (530 miles)
- Empty weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Loaded weight: 850 kg (1,875 lb)
History:
Flown for the first time on 10 June 1959, the Morane Saulnier MS-880 Rallye was a fully aerobatic, all metal, cabin monoplane possessing an extremely simple but rugged construction. Fitted with a large bubble cockpit canopy, it provided exceptional visibility for the occupants. Dual controls were installed and in Europe, where it sold quite well, it was used extensively as an aero club training aircraft.
A number of models were marketed, and deliveries of production aircraft began in 1960. Wide-chord slotted ailerons, leading-edge slats, and large flaps, enabled the Model 880 to take-off, climb to 15 m (50 ft), and land within a total distance of 418 m (1,370 ft). Models of the Rallye built included the MS-880A Rallye Club, with a 67 kw (90 hp) Continental C90-14F engine, specifically for aero club use; the MS-881 with a 78 kw (105 hp) Potez 4-E-20 engine; the MS-886 Super Rallye with a 112 kw (150 hp) Lycoming O-320-E engine; the MS-890 Rallye Commodore with a 108 kw (145 hp) Continental O-300-A engine, which had four seats instead of the three seats installed in the other models; the MS-893, which was originally for agricultural use but was also developed for use as a touring machine; and the MS-894. The MS-893A Rallye Commodore was powered by a 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming O-360-A2A engine, and the MS-894A Rallye Minerva was powered by a 164 kw (220 hp) Franklin 6A350-C1 engine, the latter providing a maximum cruising speed of 249 km/h (155 mph) at 1,981 m (6,500 ft).
Production of the type ceased in France some years ago, but the type was later built with some development and changes in Poland in a range of models as the PZL 160 Koliber. More than ten examples of the series have been registered in Australia, including the MS-880B, MS-885, MS-894A-220, and MS-893A-180.
More than 16 examples have been registered in New Zealand, most being the MS-880B, but examples of the MS-885, MS-893E and MS-892 have also been imported, including: MS-880B: ZK-BZZ (c/n 9 – ex F-WKDI), ZK-CBU (c/n 5199), ZK-CBV (c/n 5200), ZK-CBX (c/n 5202); ZK-CKK (c/n 5346), ZK-CKM (c/n 5348), ZK-CDC (c/n 5317), ZK-CBW / -CDE (c/n 5201R), ZK-CCS (c/n 5230), and ZK-CGY (c/n 5349). MS-885: ZK-CDF (c/n 5248) and ZK-CGZ (c/n 5395). MS-893E: ZK-ERP (c/n 12984) and ZK-FOX (c/n 12573); and one MS-235E ZK-RLY (c/n 12770).
In more recent times Polish built examples have also been imported. Two examples appear on the Recreation Aviation Australia (RAA) register, 24-5361 (c/n 5229) and 24-5012 (c/n 5195).