12/15/2021. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The prototype of the Sipavia S.261 Anjou was the four-seat Boisavia B.260 Anjou below.

Boisavia B.260 Anjou (F-WHHN) (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

The B.260 was designed by Société Boisavia's founder Lucien Tiélès and wearing the test registration F-WHHN, it made its first flight on June 2, 1956.

The development of the type and its prototype were taken over by SIPA (Société Industrielle pour l'Aéronautique). The B.260 prototype had its two 170 hp SNECMA-Régnier 4LO2 four-cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line engines, driving two-bladed Hartzell variable pitch propellers, replaced by two 180 hp Lycoming O-360-AlA2 four-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed engines, driving two-bladed Hartzell constant-speed and reversing propellers. The vertical tail and rudder were also modified, and in this form it was designated Sipavia S.261 Anjou. It was shown statically at the Paris Air Show, June 12 to 21, 1959, as shown on top of the page. A month later, July 24, the S.261 made its first flight, registered F-BHHN.

Sipavia S.261 Anjou (F-BHHN) with balanced rudder. (Johan Visschedijk Collection)

Soon after its first flight the rudder was fitted with a horn balance. Unfortunately the type failed to attract buyers and further development was soon halted; no further aircraft were constructed."