Nord 260

The Nord 260, built in prototype form as the Max Holste MH.260 Super Broussard, ("Super Bushranger"), was a turboprop-powered, uprated version of the piston-engined Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard, that was further developed into the Aérospatiale N 262. 

Design and development
The MH.260 was designed in partnership with Nord Aviation to carry 23 passengers or  of cargo on short fields, as a modern equivalent of the DC-3. 

 
The MH.260 was a high-wing, twin-engine turboprop aircraft powered by  Turbomeca Bastan engines.  The fuselage was of all -aluminum construction with fabric covered control surfaces.  The landing gear retracted into fuselage-mounted fairings.  

The prototype was built at a Nord Aviation facility, so it followed naturally that production aircraft should also be built there.  The MH-260 design was taken over by Nord and production was commenced to fill a French government order for ten aircraft under the designation Nord 260.  No orders were received from outside the government as the nascent Nord 262 offered better performance.  Eight Nord 260s were completed and delivered to a few airlines on lease for short periods before final delivery to the French Air Force at CEV Bretigny. 

Variants
MH.260 Super Broussard
The sole prototype c/n 001, built for Max-Holste at a Nord Aviation factory. 
Nord MH.260
Ten production aircraft were ordered by the French government, but only eight were completed.  Not released for general service, but delivered to the French Air Force at CEV Bretigny for use as transports.  Several were leased out temporarily pending delivery of the much improved Nord 262. 
Nord MH.260 (Astazou)
Construction no 03 was re-engined with Turbomeca Astazou turboprops after acquisition by Turbomeca. 
Nord MH.260A
Probably an alternative designation for the MH.260 (Astazou), the sole example, (regn.  F-BKRH), powered by Astazou engines was operated by Turbomeca. ( see infobox image)

Operators

Armee de l'Air - CEV Bretigny

Widerøe - Three aircraft leased pending delivery of Nord 262 aircraft. 

Specifications (Nord 260)

References

External links

 Civil registrations of Nord 260 aircraft
Max Holste MH-260 'Super Broussard'
Plane Pictures.net
Airliners.net Nord N-260

Category:1960s French airliners
MH.260
260
Category:High-wing aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1960
Category:Twin-turboprop tractor aircraft