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Britten-Norman BN-2 in Military Service

For a description of the format and data included in Production Tables, see here.

For description of variants see  Production Summary


Production List Page Top
Aircraft In Military Service (UK)
Aircraft In Military Service (Non-UK)



Aircraft In Military Service (UK)

Production List Top Page Top 

Serial Range C/n Type (1) Batch Qty Conv. Canc'd Notes
 1 aircraft acquired via Fairoaks Aviation Services, Blackbushe, Hampshire, for the Royal Air Force Sport Parachute Association, Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire. Delivered in June 1979
 ZB503  2011  BN-2A-26    (1)    Shadow serial for G-DIVE. Originally allocated ZA503 in error.
 1 aircraft ordered from P B-N. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW, for the Royal Air Force Sport Parachute Association, Weston-on-the-Green,
 Oxfordshire. Delivered in February 1984.
 ZF444  2139  BN-2T    (1)    Shadow serial for G-WOTG.
 1 aircraft acquired from Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd., Bembridge, IoW, via the Department of Trade and Industry, Bournemouth, Dorset. Delivered in August 1991.
 ZF573  2034  BN-2T Islander CC.2A    (1)    Serial first applied when used by the Department of Trade and   Industry for live
             weapons trials with Sting Ray torpedoes from December 1995.
 5 aircraft ordered from P B-N. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered to the Army Air Corps, Middle Wallop, Hampshire, between
 February and March 1989, except   ZG844, to AAC October 1991.
 ZG844 - ZG848  2184, 2194-2196,2199 BN-2T Islander AL.1  5      ZG844 originally to A&AEE/Training Flight, Boscombe Down, in January 1989
 1 aircraft ordered from P B-N. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in August 1989.
 ZG989  2140  BN-2T ASTOR  1      Ex G-DLRA. Restored to Britten-Norman as G-DLRA 29 November 2016.
 2 aircraft ordered from P B-N. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in March 1990.
 ZG993 - ZG994  2202,2206  BN-2T  2      
 4 aircraft acquired from the B-N Group, Bembridge, IoW.   Delivered to the Army Air Corps, Middle Wallop, Hampshire, between October 2004 and December 2007.
 ZG995 - ZG998  4005,4010,4012,4014  BN-2T-4S  3  (1)    ZG995 ex G-SURV.
     Defender AL.1        
 4 aircraft acquired from the B-N Group, Bembridge, IoW.   Delivered to the Army Air Corps, Middle Wallop, Hampshire, between October 2008 and ??.
 ZH001 - ZH003, ZH005  4015-4018  BN-2T-4S  4      
     Defender AL.2        
 1 aircraft acquired from the B-N Group, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in September 2008.
 ZH004  4009  BN-2T-4S    (1)    Ex G-BWPO
     Defender T.3        
 1 aircraft ordered from P B-N. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in July 1991.
 ZH536  2235  BN-2T   Islander CC.2  1      
 1 aircraft acquired from Fly B-N, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in April 2008.
 ZH537  2118  BN-2T   Islander CC.2B    (1)    Ex BN-2T Defender. Converted to a Islander CC.2B during 2007/8.



Aircraft In Military Service (Non-UK) (In Alphabetical Order of Country)

Production List Top Page Top 

Serial Range C/n Type (1) Batch Qty Conv. Canc'd Notes
Abu Dhabi  4 aircraft ordered from Britten-Norman Ltd., Bembridge, IoW, by the Abu Dhabi Defence Force. Delivered between November 1968 and December 1971.
 201 - 203  34,47,117  BN-2A  3      Later 801 - 803
 204  648  BN-2A-9        Later 804
Angola  8 aircraft acquired by the Força Aérea Popular de Angola (People's Air Force of Angola, later the Força Aérea Nacional de Angola - National Air Force of Angola), via
 Tehnoimport, Bucharest, Romania and the Angolan Government. Delivered between September and October 1977.
 R-201 - R-208  526,562,543,797,801,798,  BN-2A-21  8      Ex 2451 - 2458 of the Angolan Government.
   802,803          
   5 aircraft acquired by the Força Aérea Popular de Angola (People's Air Force of Angola, later the Força Aérea Nacional de Angola - National Air Force of Angola), via
 Tehnoimport, Bucharest, Romania and the Angolan Government. Delivered in 1978.
 D2-EEP, D2-EEQ, D2-EEO,  579,580,825,826,827  BN-2A-21  5      
 D2-ESE, D2-ESI            
   6 aircraft acquired by the Força Aérea Popular de Angola (People's Air Force of Angola, later the Força Aérea Nacional de Angola - National Air Force of Angola), via
 Tehnoimport, Bucharest, Romania and the Angolan Government. Delivered between February and June 1981.
 R-209 - R-211  898,896,890  BN-2A-21  3      
 I-304 - I-306  899,902,903    3      In conjunction with TAAG - Angolan Airlines.
Belgium  12 aircraft ordered by the Belgian Army. Built by Fairey-Britten-Norman, Gosselies. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW. Delivered between
 May and October 1976.
 B-01 - B-05  466,468,476,498,501  BN-2A-21  5      
 B-06 - B-12  510,523,531,533  BN-2A-21 Defender  7      
Belize  2 aircraft ordered by the Belize Defence Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in Aug 1983.
 BDF-01 - BDF-02  2137,2136  BN-2B-21 Defender  2      
   1 aircraft acquired by the the Belize Defence Force in May 2001.
 BDF-05  277  BN-2A-2    (1)    Ex G-AYYW
Botswana  6 aircraft ordered by the Botswana Defence Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.  
 Delivered between October 1977 and April 1979.
 OA1 - OA5  791,795,799,772,836  BN-2A-21 Defender  5      OA4 ex demonstrators G-BDMT.
 OA2  783    1      Replacement for c/n 795; ex demonstrators G-BDRP.
   6 aircraft ordered by the Botswana Defence Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between October 1990 and May 1998.
 OA7 - OA10  2226,2227,2257,2258  BN-2B-20 Defender  4      
 OA11  2264  BN-2T  1      
 OA12  2295  BN-2B-20  1      
   2 aircraft ordered by the Botswana Defence Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between October 1990 and May 1998.
 OE1 - OE2  1054,1055  BN-2A Mk.III-2  2      
     Trislander        
Cambodia  1 aircraft acquired by the Royal Cambodian Air Force, in 1994?
 XU-MLB  414  BN-2A-21    (1)    Ex Sultan of Oman's Air Force.
Central African Republic  1 aircraft acquired by the Central African Republic Air Force.
 TL-KAF  2256  BN-2B-26    (1)    Ex TL-ABU.
Ciskei  3 aircraft acquired by the Ciskei Defence Force in 1983
 ZS-LKF  729  BN-2A-21    (1)    Acquired in August 1983.
 ZS-LSE  834  BN-2A-26    (1)    Acquired in September 1985.
 ZS-KLK  862  BN-2B-21    (1)    Acquired in August 1983.
Cyprus  1 aircraft ordered by the Cyprus Defence Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in May 1982.
 12106  2106  BN-2B-21 Maritime  1      Initially served with British registration G-MICV then 5B-ICV.
     Defender        
Finland  1 aircraft to the Finnish Air Force. Leased for evaluation trials in May 1974.
 BN-1  269  BN-2A-6    (1)    Ex OH-BNC
Ghana  8 aircraft ordered from Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW, by the Ghana Air Force. Delivered between July and September 1973.
 G350 - G357  333,337-343  BN-2A-9  8      
   4 aircraft ordered by the Ghana Air Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between December 1990 and June 1991.
 G360 - G363  2225,2222,2223,2229  BN-2T Defender  4      
Guyana  3 aircraft ordered from Britten-Norman Ltd., Bembridge, IoW, by the Guyana Defence Force. Delivered between February 1971 and October1974. 1 aircraft acquired
 second hand as noted.
 8R-GDN, 'GDQ  230,231  BN-2A-6  2      
 8R-GEE  720  BN-2A-27  1      
 8R-GFN  289  BN-2A-2    (1)    Acquired in October 1991, ex Air Services, Georgetown, Guyana.  
   3 aircraft ordered by the Guyana Defence Force. Built by Fairey-Britten-Norman, Gosselies. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between December 1975 and March 1976, via Jonas Aircraft, New York.
 8R-GER, 8R-GES, 8R-GET  478,482,484  BN-2A-27  3      
Haiti  1 aircraft acquired by the Haitian Air Corps in 1983.
 1270  410  BN-2A-9    (1)    Ex HHCNA
Hong Kong  1 aircraft ordered by the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered in December 1971.
 HKG-7  615  BN-2A-7  1      
India  5 aircraft ordered by the Indian Navy. Built by Fairey-Britten-Norman, Gosselies. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between May and July 1976.
 IN126 - IN130  477,480,481,506,507  BN-2A-21 Defender  5      
   6 aircraft ordered by the Indian Navy. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between December 1980 and January 1981.
 IN131 - IN136  873,875,886-889  BN-2A-21 Maritime  6      
     Defender        
   6 aircraft ordered by the Indian Navy. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between July and October 1983.
 IN137 - IN142  2123,2134,2135,2148-2150  BN-2B-21 Maritime  6      
     Defender        
Indonesia  1 aircraft acquired by the Indonesian National Armed Forces - Army Aviation (TNI-AD) in 1983.
 A-10021  713  BN-2A-27R    (1)    Ex G-BBZW
Israel  3 aircraft acquired by the Israeli Defence Force, between December 1972 and October 1973.
 4X-FN/001, 4X-FNP/004  96,285,107  BN-2    (3)    Ex 4X-AYT, 4X-AYK, 4X-AYW
 4X-FN/006            
Jamaica  2 aircraft ordered by the Jamaica Defence Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered via Jonas Aircraft as noted.
 JDFT-2  699  BN-2A-3 Defender  1      Delivered April 1974.
 JDFT-5  796  BN-2A-21 Defender  1      Delivered January 1977.
Jordan  1 aircraft acquired by the Royal Jordanian Air Force, in April 1995.
 330  861  BN-2B-21    (1)    Ex JY-CAA
Malagasy  1 aircraft ordered from Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW, by the Malagasy Air Force, Madagascar. Delivered in March 1974.
 382  382  BN-2A-21 Defender  1      
Malta  2 aircraft acquired by the Armed Forces of Malta as noted.
 AS9516  2159  BN-2B-26    (1)    Initially 9H-ACU, acquired November 1995. Ex 9M-TAD
 AS9819  2156  BN-2B-26    (1)   Initially 9H-ADF, acquired September 1998. Ex G-LIPP
Mauritania  4 aircraft ordered by the Mauritanian Islamic Air Force. Built by Fairey-Britten-Norman, Gosselies. Completed and converted to a BN-2A-21 Defender at
 Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW. Delivered between May 1977 and March 1978.
 5T-MAA, 5T-MAV, 5T-MAY,  577,587,574,576  BN-2A-21 Defender  4      
 5T-MAZ            
   5 aircraft ordered by the Mauritanian Islamic Air Force. Built by IRMA, of Bucharest, Romania, and converted to a BN-2A-21 Defender at Britten-Norman (Bembridge),
 Bembridge, IoW. Delivered between April 1976 and June 1977.
 5T-MAQ - 5T-MAU  786,787,747,765,793  BN-2A-21 Defender  5      
Mauritius  1 aircraft ordered by the Mauritius National Coast Guard. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered in September 1992.
 MP-CG-02  2238  BN-2T  1      
Mexico  6 aircraft ordered by the Fuerza Aerea Mexicana, Mexico. All built by Britten-Norman Ltd., Bembridge, IoW and converted from BN-2A-6 or -7 standard by Jonas
 Aircraft, New York. Delivered   in August 1971 via ALASA.
 TP-0207 - TP0212  250,252,255,294,293,286  BN-2A-7R    (6)    
   1 aircraft ordered by the Fuerza Aerea Mexicana, Mexico. Built by Fairey-Britten-Norman, Gosselies, and completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.
 Converted from BN-2A-8 standard by Jonas Aircraft, New York. Delivered in 1975 via ALASA.
 TP-0209  420  BN-2A-8R    (1)    Second allocation of serial.
Oman  8 aircraft ordered from Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW, by the Sultan of Oman's Air Force (later the Royal Air Force of Oman).
 Delivered between August 1974 and March 1975.
 301 - 308  400-402,   413-415, 417, 418  BN-2A-21 Defender  8      
Pakistan  2 aircraft ordered by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
Delivered between January 1993 and April 1994.
 AR-NYB, AY-NYC  2242, 2246  BN-2T    (2)    Originally intended for the Zambian Flying Doctor Service.
   1 aircraft ordered by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered in August 2004.
 AR-NYD  2308  BN-2T  1      
Panama  2 aircraft acquired by the Fuerza Aerea Panamena, Panama.
 FAP-208  256  BN-2A-6R    (1)    Ex N50JA of Miami Aviation Service, Miami, Florida; acquired December 1975
 FAP-207  722  BN-2A-26    (1)    Ex HP-709 of Masico de Panama; acquired ??
Peru  1 aircraft acquired by the Guardia Civil de Peru, in May 1987.
 FP-15  2176  BN-2B-21    (1)    Ex G-BLDS
Philippines  19 aircraft ordered from PADC, Pasig, Philippines, by the Philippine Air Force. Delivered between January 1980 and November 1981.
 502, 508, 509, 527, 528,  502,508,509,527,528,  BN-2A-21 Defender  19      
 538, 539, 547, 548, 551,  538,539,547,548,551,          
 552, 559 - 561, 567 - 569,  552,559-561, 567-569,          560 initially RP2151 with the Ministry of National Defence.
 593, 594  593, 594          594 ex Phillipine Navy
   2 aircraft ordered from PADC, Pasig, Philippines, by the Philippine Air Force. Delivered between September 1981.
 3001, 3003  3001,3003  BN-2A-21 Defender  2      
   4 aircraft acquired by the Philippine Air Force as noted.
 430  430  BN-2A-21    (1)    Ex RP2133, acquired ??.
 455  455      (1)    Ex RP-C2142, acquired June 1980.
 459  459      (1)    Ex RP-C2145, acquired ??.
 471  471      (1)    Ex RP-C2149, acquired ??.
   2 aircraft acquired by the Philippine Coast Guard as noted.
 PCG-251  3002  BN-2A-21    (1)    Ex RP-C251 of Philippine National Oil Company; acquired ??.
 PCG-684  723  BN-2A-21    (1)    Ex RP-C684 of Pacific Airways, Manila; acquired 2001.
   33 aircraft ordered by the Philippine Navy. Built by Fairey-Britten-Norman, Gosselies. Completed and converted to a BN-2A-21 Defender at Britten-Norman (Bembridge),
 Bembridge, IoW, or by PADC, Pasig, Philippines (indicated *). Delivered   between August 1975 and February 1977 via PADC, Pasig, Philippines. In addition, one aircraft
   ex Phillipine Air Force.
 426, 428, 453. 456*, 460*  426,428,453,456,460,594  BN-2A-21 Defender  6      428, 460, 453 and 456 later 301 PN to 304 PN.
 594*            
   4 aircraft acquired by the Philippine Navy in 1993(?).
 311, 312, 314, 320  538,567,568,552      (4)    Ex Phillipine Air Force 538, 567, 568, 552
Romania  4 aircraft ordered from Britten-Norman Ltd., Bembridge, IoW, by the Romanian Air Force. Delivered between June and December 1969.
 93, 97, 122, 130  93,97,122,130  BN-2A  4      Initially YR-BNA - 'BND.
   1 aircraft acquired by the Romanian Air Force.
 816  816  BN-2A-27    (1)    Ex YR-BNT.
Rwanda  2 aircraft ordered by the Force Aerienne Rwandaise, Rwanda. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered as noted.
 9XR-GV  751  BN-2A-9  1      Delivered in September 1975.
 9XR-GW  811  BN-2A-21  1      Delivered in September 1977.
Seychelles  1 aircraft ordered by the Seychelles Defence Force. Built by Fairey-Britten-Norman, Gosselies. Completed and converted to a BN-2A-21 Maritime Defender at
 Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW. Delivered in May 1980.
 A2-01M  589  BN-2A-21 Maritime  1      Later to the Seychelles Coast Guard Air Wing.
     Defender        
South Africa  2 aircraft acquired by the South African Air Force in November 1994.
 SAAF16  862  BN-2B-21    (1)    Ex ZS-KLK of the Ciskei Defence Force.
 SAAF17  834  BN-2A-26    (1)    Ex ZS-LSE of the Ciskei Defence Force.
Southern Rhodesia  6 aircraft acquired by the Rhodesian Air Force (later the Air Force of Zimbabwe) as noted. See Note 2.
 7136  707  BN-2A-6    (1)    Ex CR-AQF of EMAC, Mozambique, acquired July 1976.
 7317  658  BN-2A-6    (1)    Ex CR-ANH of Transportes Aeroes de Zambesia, Mozambique, acquired June 1976.  
 3718  705  BN-2A-8    (1)    Ex HP-761 of Aviones de Panama, Panama City, Panama, acquired September 1976.
 7319  656  BN-2A-8    (1)    Ex CR-ANJ of Transportes Aereos de Niassa, Mozambique, acquired March 1977.
 7213  412  BN-2A-21    (1)    Ex ZS-ORD of National Airlines, Durban, South Africa, acquired April 1978.
 7323  678  BN-2A-2    (1)    Ex ZS-JZO of H & H Associates, Johannesburg, S.A., acquired November 1979.
Surinam  3 aircraft ordered by the Surinam Air Force. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered between March and July 1982.
 SAF002 - SAF004  2108,2116,2117  BN-2B-21 Defender  3      
Thailand  1 aircraft ordered from Britten-Norman Ltd., Bembridge, IoW, by the Thai Ministry of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand. Delivered in October 1968.
 501  26  BN-2  1      Camera floor variant, fitted with Micronair spray equipment.
United Arab Emirates  1 aircraft ordered by the United Arab Emirates Air Force, Abu Dhabi. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Pilatus Britten-Norman, Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered in June 1983.
 411  2118  BN-2T Defender  1      Later re-seralled 318
Venezuela  1 aircraft acquired by the Venezuelan National Guard (Guardia Nacional) in 1976.
 GN7432  405  BN-2A-9    (1)    Ex YV-C-AKL.
   1 aircraft ordered by the Venezuelan Army Aviation. Built by Romaero of Bucharest, Romania. Completed at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge, IoW.
 Delivered in August 1979.
 EV7911  851  BN-2A-21  1      



Notes
  1. All aircraft are Islander unless noted.
     
  2. In March 1962, Southern Rhodesia introduced a modified serial numbering system, in an attempt to disguise the number of aircraft currently Rhodesian service. An apparently random 4-figure serial with the prefix R were applied to all current and newly acquired aircraft. In fact the new numbers were based on a continuation of the earlier 3-digit numbering system, but with an additional number inserted in a certain pattern to give a 4-digit serial. The additional number was the Squadron number, in the case of the Islander this being '3'. The R prefix was later deleted.

Production References

top


Page Revision History Page Top

Revised at Version 1.4.4
  • Angola: for R-209 - R-211, c/n 898 added.
  • Belize: c/n order reversed.
  • Ghana: for G360 - G363, c/n 2229 added and order corrected.
  • Israel: 4X-FN/001 was 4X-FN/00.
  • Panama: FAP-207 was FAP-209
  • Rhodesia changed to Southern Rhodesia. Details completely revised.
  • Notes added.

V1.4.4 Created by Roger Moss. Last updated August 2020