Summary

This is a 52" span radio controlled profile scale model for .34-.46 engines. It has a veneered foam wing and fuselage with a balsa sheet tailplane and fin. the radio gear is mounted in the wing between dihederal braces. The  fuselage and wing are joined in an interlocking fashion which gives better structural strength. U/C is not fitted to save weight and the model is easily handlaunched. Plans for the model can be downloaded here as well as some basic instructions.

The full size SF 260 has been built in both civilian and military versions. In it’s military version it is used as a weapons/tactical support trainer with 2 to 4 under wing stores pylons. With its classic Italian styling, tip tanks and chunky fuselage, the Marchetti SF 260 has lots of appeal as a sport scale model.

Model details

My model version is just 52" span and although it is a one piece model, it fits into the back of my small car with no trouble. So far it has been powered by an elderly ST 29 and latterly an OS 40 SF, to give a little more sparkle and safer hand launches. It is scale in outline, but the wing, fuselage and tailplane are to slightly different scales in order to end up with a practical sport scale model.
The model is quick and easy to construct using veneered foam for the fuselage and wings. It has a very distinctive look in the air and as a very steady flyer to boot. If you can handle a low wing model with ailerons, then you can fly the "Warrior" without difficulty.

Profile models have two notorious weak spots. The fuselage/wing joint and the end of the fuselage doublers can almost be guaranteed to fail at some stage. To try and avoid this, the model’s fuselage slots over the wing dihederal braces rather than just sitting on top of the wing. Also the fuselage ply doublers go back as far as the front dihederal brace. It’s a little more complicated, but the result is a robust structure which takes the odd knock in it’s stride.