Originally designed to replace the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain, the prototype utility transport aircraft was designed by Max Holste and designated the Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard it first flew on 20 May 1959. The initial design had the aircraft rather square in shape, and fitted Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines to the aircraft. The second prototype, known as the MH.260, was equipped with 980 hp Turbomeca Bastan turboprop engines and eventually took its flight just over a year later on 29 July 1960. The Prototype Nord 262 at the 1963 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport Eventually, wholly state-owned Nord Aviation (later renamed Aérospatiale) took over the further development of the aircraft. The new changes that Nord brought to the aircraft were a rounded, pressurized cabin and the new name Nord 262. The new cabin design enabled the aircraft to carry between 24–26 passengers. As for the American designation, the "Mohawk 298" airplanes were modified Nord 262s and first flew on 7 January 1975, equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops. Built in order to meet United States FAR 298 regulation, the modification of the aircraft was overseen by Mohawk Air Services and outsourced to Frakes Aviation. Allegheny Airlines was the initial operator of the aircraft. Four Mohawk 298's were imported to Australia, servicing Central Queensland with a number of operators. Full details can be found here. The last remaining airframe, VH-HIX, is on display at the Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra, minus engines and propellers. The QAM website can be found here. More details of the design and development, and other variants, can be found here. Specifications below are for the N262A model. Aerospatiale (Nord) 262 - 980 hp Turbomeca Bastan turboprop engines Nord 262 Mohawk 298 - Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops Nord 262 Mohawk 298 VH-HIX at QAM
