Historic Britten-Norman Islander moves to new museum home

The project is a labour of love for the Britten-Norman Aircraft Preservation Society (BNAPS).

As a result of a concerted effort by the restoration team and support from Reynolds and Read, providing lifting and transport, the Islander was successfully moved from the BNAPS workshop near Ryde to the Wight Military and Heritage Museum at Northwood.

The society thanked museum manager, Steve Taylor, and his team for assisting the operation of moving the aircraft.

The aircraft was the third BN-2 Islander produced at Bembridge Airport and the oldest one of its type in existence.

BNAPS team of volunteers after the successful wing lift, May 2019.

Some 54 years ago it was under construction in the original Bembridge hangar, alongside what is now the Propeller Inn.

It was first flown from Bembridge Airport on April 24, 1967. A month later it appeared at the Paris Show and on August 18, 1967, was awarded its Passenger Transport Certificate of Airworthiness.

It entered service with Aurigny Air Services, based in Guernsey, on March 1, 1968.

After 32 years in service in the UK and later in the Caribbean region it ended up in a semi

derelict state at Isla Grande Airport in Puerto Rico.

Thanks to the efforts of Britten-Norman historians and sponsorship by Airstream International, the Islander was brought home in early 2000, originally to be restored to fly.

That did not work out as planned and by 2009 the dismantled remains were in open storage.

2009 - BN-2 Islander G-AVCN dismantled and in open storage.

With help from Bembridge Heritage Society and local people, BNAPS took charge of the remains and organised transport to a small workshop near Bembridge Harbour in July 2010.

Volunteers were recruited to form the restoration team to rebuild the Islander as a high quality static exhibit. Restoration work was started in 2011.

By October 2015, after successfully rebuilding the fuselage, it was clear larger premises were needed to complete the work of rebuilding the wing.

The project moved to a large storage facility at the Brickfields site near Ryde in March 2016.

Restoration work made steady progress. Towards the end of May 2019, the critical wing lift operation was completed and the wing and fuselage were positioned for joining.

The aircraft was soon on its wheels and the various stages of final assembly progressed, finishing in December 2019.

Aircraft after final assembly January 2020 with engines installed.

Final bits of finishing off work was started early in 2020, but, due to the pandemic, work ceased until July.

After progressing some of the remaining restoration work items in the summer, in October work started to dismantle the Islander for transport with a view of moving to the museum in November.

However, there was a further month’s delay due to the second lockdown.

Work resumed in December and on December 17, the move finally took place.

On the move to its new home.

The next few months will see the Islander re-assembled and made ready to go on public display.

BNAPS is planning an official unveiling of the restored aircraft this year.

It will be seen in the colours of Aurigny Air Service, as it was more than 53 years ago when it entered service, operating from Alderney to Guernsey.

As well as donations from individuals and local businesses, there were grants from the Isle of Wight High Sheriff’s Trust, the Transport Trust, WightAid and the Daisie Rich Trust.

The restored Islander G-AVCN is a tribute to John Britten and Desmond Norman and all who worked with Britten-Norman over the years to make the Islander a success.

It recognises their achievements as an important part of the Island’s aviation heritage.