VH-UQF
Morane Saulnier MS-894A Rallye Minerva
(c/n 11060)
The MS-880 Rallye, the first of a family of light
Morane Saulnier aircraft was first flown in June
1959.
The machines were all-metal, fully aerobatic cabin monoplanes with very
rugged cons-
truction, despite their large bubble canopy. A
number of
models were marketed, and the
MS-894A seen above was powered by a 220 h.p. Franklin 6A350-C1 engine,
which pushed
it
along at a respectable 155 mph cruise. A dealership in
Perth, WA, Southern Aeronautics
imported a
batch of them in 1969. So far as I known, only two were MS-849A Rallye
Minervas.
Geoff
Goodall saw this one at Jandakot Airport, Perth in October 1969 soon
after the aircraft had
been issued its Australian C of A.