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The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander started life as a 1960s British light utility aircraft, mainline airliner and also a cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by the company Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander, as it is known, is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe during that period. Although designed in the 1960s, over 750 are still in service with commercial operators around the world, lending strong credibility to the aircraft's pedigree. The aircraft is also used by the army and police forces in the United Kingdom to this day and is a popular light transport with over 30 military aviation operators around the world.
Britten-Norman was started in 1953 and its role was to convert and operate agricultural aircraft that were in abundance at the time and surprisingly it also built hovercraft for the British Hovercraft Corporation. The work that would lead to the design of the Islander started in 1963 and the first prototype BN-2 first flew on 13 June 1965. It was to be that the second prototype would not fly until 20th August 1966. Interestingly, both of these aircraft had engines that were less powerful than the production versions. The Islander is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with what is a clear example of a rectangular fuselage and two-wing mounted engines. Enjoying a conventional tail unit and fixed tricycle landing gear, the fuselage would usually accommodate one pilot and up to nine passengers, although the aircraft is usually equipped for two pilots.
Fast-forward through the years and in 1978 a further improved version, the BN-2B Islander II was introduced. In this variant improvements included increased carrying capacity and propeller modifications to reduce noise levels. Options included a long-nosed version for increased baggage capacity, raked wing tip auxiliary fuel tanks and twin Allison 250-B17C turboprop engines which provided truly useful improvements. When the latter are installed the aircraft is designated the BN-2T Turbine Islander.
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