Nord 262

Nord Aviation / Aérospatiale · France · first flew 1962 · airliner

The Nord 262 is a French twin-turboprop regional airliner and utility transport of the 1960s, characterised by its high wing, circular fuselage and twin Turboméca Bastan turboprop engines. It served both civilian and military operators in multiple countries.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Short high-wing twin-turboprop commuter
• Circular fuselage cross-section
• Retractable undercarriage with large fairings

Distinctive short high-wing twin-turboprop with a perfectly circular fuselage, prominent engine nacelles and neatly faired undercarriage bogies; the straight wing and blunt nose are recognisable at a distance.

Specifications

• The Nord 262 has a length of 19.28 m (63 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 21.9 m (72 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
• Typical crew: 2 + up to 29 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed from the piston-engined Max Holste MH.250 design, the Nord 262 first flew in 1962 and entered service with Air Inter in France. It was also widely adopted by the French Navy and air force as a light transport and crew trainer, remaining in military service for decades. The US Navy acquired a batch as the C-127 for utility transport.

Variants

The 262A used Bastan VI engines while the 262B and 262D featured uprated Bastan VII and later Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines respectively.

Where you'll see it

Flown by Air Inter, Allegheny Airlines and other regional carriers, plus the French Navy, French air force and US Navy; the French military retained examples into the 2000s.

Related aircraft

• Aérospatiale N 500
• Hawker Siddeley Trident
• Vickers VC10
• BAC One-Eleven
• BAC One-Eleven 200

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