Page 29 - Aviation News (February 2020)

Tales of the Trislander

side and three on the port. The main Sporting the original short nose, BN-2A Mk 1974. The extended nose was added and
landing gear was also improved, including III-1, G-AZZM, on static display at the Paris used to carry more baggage.
larger-diameter wheels and tyres. Air Show on June 2, 1973. Behind it is Tu-144 The Trislander’s motive power is
CCCP-77102, which crashed at the airshow
However, the fi rst Trislander was the following day. AirTeamImages.com/Keith provided by three Lycoming 0-540-
not a new-build aircraft. In fact, it was Blincow E4C5 engines, developing a maximum
converted from the second Islander of 260hp at 2,700rpm. The basic
prototype and its fi rst fl ight took place Trislander version, the BN-2A Mk III-1 – fi rst powerplant is widely used by other
on September 11, 1970, following which fl ew on March 6, 1971, with certifi cation general aviation manufacturers.
it was immediately fl own to Farnborough being granted on May 14. First delivery to a The third engine, when viewed from
for the biennial air show. customer was to Aurigny, taking place on the side, appears to be slightly o the
This production technique was not June 29 of that year. The fi rst example of horizontal, and is in fact inclined 5°
unique to one aircraft; indeed, Trislanders the type with the longer nose, BN-2A Mk downwards in order to minimise the
were converted from Islanders. The fi rst III-2 was delivered to Loganair on April 22, e ect of power changes.

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