Short Brothers Short 312 Tucano T.1 G-BTUC

Photographer's remark
(10.10.2011, 08:48 CET)
Embraer flew the first RAF-standard aircraft, PP-ZTC (the seventh airframe off the production line) from Sao dos Campos, Brazil on February 14th 1986 and having completed six flights, the aircraft was dismantled and shipped to Belfast to fulfil both trials and pattern airframe roles. Its first flight, carrying B class markings G-14-007 was made on April 11th with the aircraft achieving a sea level speed of 308mph. The aircraft was subsequently registered G-BTUC and flown as a demonstration aircraft at the Farnborough and Paris air shows that year. The Tucano was the last ever Shorts built aircraft before the company was bought by Bombardier, and the last complete aircraft to be produced in Northern Ireland. 130 were delivered to the RAF, 16 to Kuwait and 12 to Kenya. G-BTUC continued to be flown as a demonstrator until August 1991 when its permit to fly expired. Placed in storage at Sydenham, the aircraft remained there for the next ten years before being offered to the Ulster Aviation Society and moved by road to join the collection. My thanks to the Ulster Aviation Society for their hospitality

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