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 in both Defender and Islander configurations, the latter by my flying buddy Gene Davis. They both perform well, with no appreciable performance differences between them. It really boils down to a matter of personal preference. The availability of some really great electric motors and power sources makes electric models of this type very practical as well as reliable. Although I see no reason why glow power couldn’t be used as well. A pair of .25 engines are the likely optimum displacement.
SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: BN2T-4S Defender
TYPE: Sport scale electric twin
WINGSPAN: 70 in.
LENGTH: 52.69 in.
WING AREA: 600 sq. in.
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