BRITTEN-NORMAN DEFENDER 2000
The Defender, an unlikely moniker for an air vehicle that seems like it could trace it’s lineage to an overland cargo trailer with wings. Clearly designed for utility rather than esthetics, it has square edges rather than curvy lines, a rectangular rather than sleekly tapered wing planform and a funny looking landing gear system. “It’s got a great personality” comes to mind! So, with all these qualities, what makes the aircraft so successful? In reality, the Defender is a stretched version of the Britten-Norman Islander, the airplane you see in use everywhere in the Islands and small countries in commuter airline and short-haul utility roles. The formula seems to work, it routinely operates from fields that would make rotary-winged machines think twice.
From a modeling standpoint, it couldn’t be easier to build or fly. If you’re considering a sport scale twin, stick around. You’ve even got the option of converting it to that Islander I mentioned, a couple of extra cuts with your hobby knife to reduce the length of the fuselage and you’re there. The model has been built and flown
