SIPA S.251 Antilope
SIPA · France · first flew 1962 · light aircraft
The SIPA S.251 Antilope was a French light touring aircraft developed in the early 1960s by the Société Industrielle Pour l'Aéronautique. It was a clean low-wing monoplane designed for the French civil aviation market.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.02 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- French 1960s light touring monoplane
- Single piston engine, low wing, retractable undercarriage
- Clean aerodynamic design by SIPA
Clean low-wing touring monoplane with retractable undercarriage, a single nose-mounted piston engine, and a streamlined fuselage typical of 1960s French light aircraft design.
Specifications
- The SIPA S.251 Antilope has a length of 9.02 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 450 km/h (280 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The S.251 Antilope was developed by SIPA as a touring aircraft in the early 1960s. SIPA had previously produced training aircraft for the French Air Force, and the Antilope represented their attempt to address the postwar civil touring market. The aircraft featured retractable undercarriage and modern aerodynamics for the period.
Variants
The S.251 appears to have been built in small numbers; no major production variants are widely documented.
Where you'll see it
The Antilope served with French private owners and flying clubs; the type is now rare and of historical interest.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.