Photograph:
Siai Marchetti SM.1019 VH-ZOG (c/n 036) at Wedderburn, NSW in November 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Italy
Description:
Two-seat liaison and forward-air-control monoplane
Power Plant:
One 298 kw (400 hp) Allison 250-B17 turboprop
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.97 m (36 ft)
- Length: 8.52 m (27 ft 11½ in)
- Height: 2.86 m (9 ft 4½ in)
- Wing area: 16.16 m² (173.95 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 2,500 m (8,200 ft): 300 km/h (186 mph)
- Economical cruising speed at 2,500 m (9,200 ft): 281 km/h (175 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 551 m/min (1,810 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
- Ferry range with auxiliary fuel: 1,352 km (840 miles)
- Endurance with standard fuel: 7 hrs 20 mins
- Empty weight: 690 kg (1,521 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,450 kg (3,196 lb)
History:
Designed for the Italian Army by Siai Marchetti to replace the Lycoming powered Aermacchi AM.3C, which itself had replaced the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog in the forward air control and liaison duties roles, the prototype was first flown on 24 May 1969. This was a re-manufactured Cessna O-1 modified to take an Allison turboprop engine. The prototype became known as the SM.1019. On 18 February 1971 a similarly converted O-1 was flown as the second prototype, and it became known as the SM.1019A. The production model received some re-design over the Cessna O-1 to better suit it for Italian Air Force service.
A total of 80 examples of the production model, known as the SM.1019EI, was completed for the Italian Army and the type retained the basic configuration for aircraft in that role, seating two in tandem and providing hard points on the wings for up to 227 kg (500 lb) of ordinance, which could include rockets, bombs, and pods containing machine guns. Production concluded in 1979 and the type continued in service until 2001 when the SM.1019EI was withdrawn from service and retired, a number being obtained by warbird enthusiasts.
In mid 2002 eight examples arrived in containers at Scone, NSW for conversion to civil configuration, the first three being registered in November 2002 as VH-JKW (c/n 1-062 – ex MM57254), VH-XAH (c/n 1-015 – ex MM57208) and VH-XAT (c/n 1-063 ex MM 57255). Others since registered include VH-PAC (c/n 009 – ex MM 57202), VH-PAE (c/n 056 – ex MM57248), VH-PAI (c/n 025 – ex MM57217), VH-SNL (c/n 030 – ex MM57222), VH-SNV (c/n 072 – ex MM57262), and VH-ZOG (c/n 036). The latter was destroyed in an accident on 18 August 2004. In mid 2006 VH-XAT was exported to the United States as N250MH. In September 2019 VH-PAC was exported to the Philippines.