The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom (UK). Still in production, the Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in the 1960s, over 750 are still in service with commercial operators around the world. The aircraft is also used by the British Army and police forces in the United Kingdom and is a light transport with over 30 military aviation operators around the world.
Initial aircraft were manufactured at Britten-Norman's factory in the Bembridge, Isle of Wight, UK. After Fairey Aviation acquired the Britten-Norman company, its Islanders and Trislander aircraft were built in Romania, then shipped to Avions Fairey in Belgium for finishing before being flown to the UK for flight certification. The Islander has been in production for more than 50 years.
Variants[]
- BN-2: Prototype first flown in 1966 with two 260hp Rolls-Royce Condor 1 piston engines.
- BN-2A: Production version with minor modification from prototype and increased takeoff weight.
- BN-2A-2: BN-2A with modified flaps, and two 300hp Rolls-Royce Condor 3 piston engines.
- BN-2A-3: BN-2A-2 with increased wingspan and fitted with extra wingtip fuel tanks.
- BN-2A-6: BN-2A with wing leading edge modifications and two 260hp Rolls-Royce Condor 1 ( fuel injected) piston engines.
- BN-2A-7: BN-2A-6 with increased wingspan and fuel capacity.
- BN-2A-8: BN-2A-6 with droop flaps.
- BN-2A-9: BN-2A-7 with droop flaps.
- BN-2A-10: BN-2A-8 with increased takeoff weight and 270hp Rolls-Royce Condor 1A (turbo-charged, fuel injected) engines.
- BN-2A-20: BN-2A-2 with increased takeoff weight and minor improvements.
- BN-2A-21: BN-2A-3 with increased takeoff weight.
- BN-2A-23: BN-2A-21 with lengthened nose.
- BN-2A-24: BN-2A-26 with lengthened nose.
- BN-2A-25: BN-2A-27 with lengthened nose.
- BN-2A-26: BN-2A-8 with increased takeoff weight.
- BN-2A-27: BN-2A-9 with increased takeoff weight.
- BN-2A-30: BN-2A-20 fitted with floats. Twin floats were attached to the undercarriage legs and incorporated retractable landing gear.
- BN-2A-41: Turbo Islander with lengthened nose, droop flaps and two Rolls-Royce Nimbus turboprops, first flown in 1977.
- Britten-Norman BN-2B Defender
- Defender military variant with 300hp Rolls-Royce Condor 3 piston engines and underwing hard points and military modifications.
- BN-2B-20: BN-2A-20 with improved soundproofing and increased landing weight and other minor modifications.
- BN-2B-21: BN-2A-21 with Model B improvements.
- BN-2B-26: BN-2A-26 with Model B improvements.
- BN-2B-27: BN-2A-27 with Model B improvements.
- BN-2T: Turbine Islander based on BN-2A-26 with two 320 shp Rolls-Royce 250 turboprops. Seating for up to 9 passengers.
- Islander AL1: Variant of the BN-2T for communications and reconnaissance duties with the British Army; seven built. Used for aerial reconnaissance and photography in Northern Ireland during Operation Banner by No. 1 Flight of the Army Air Corps based at Aldergrove with 1 Flight was later integrated into No. 651 Squadron and was redesignated Islander R1 in 2019 after being transferred to the Royal Air Force.
- Islander CC.2 and CC.2A: Variant of the BN-2T for the Royal Air Force; three operated with these aircraft retired from the RAF in 2017.
- Maritime-Defender: Armed maritime reconnaissance and patrol aircraft.
- BN-2A-3 Trislander: Three-engined Trislander, a stretched BN-2A with 18 seats and three 300hp Rolls-Royce Condor 3 piston engines