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Historians Web Site |
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John Britten |
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John Britten was one of the co-founders of Britten-Norman Below is an Obituary that appeared shortly after
John Britten’s death in 1977:
The Britten’s were
an In 1955 Britten‑Norman became a limited
company. Two Tiger Moths and an Anson completed a season of spraying in 1956.
Micronair equipment was selling well. A scheduled air service was started in
1960 in the Britten‑Norman
decided to produce their own solution to the requirement and in 1963 John
Britten began the design of the new aircraft. The basic specification was
that the new plane should be of minimum capital cost per saleable passenger
seat on short haul, and that it should combine good short field performance
with rugged construction. In January 1964 Britten‑Norman decided to go
ahead with the construction of a prototype and the first metal was cut in
September of that year. The name of the aircraft was already accepted as
being the Islander. The United Kingdom Transport Aircraft Requirements
Committee considered the merits of the Islander, but meanwhile the company
proceeded with the manufacture of a prototype and the aircraft was rolled out
on This marked the debut of an aircraft which was to achieve world recognition. By 1976 some 650 had been sold, operating in more than 100 countries. A military version was produced and named the Defender. A three-engined version followed and this was named the Trislander. An amphibious version has been developed and versions are available fitted with skis. At the end of 1969 an Islander won international fame by winning the 11,000 mile BP England‑Australia Air Race against the finest machines from the world’s most renowned sporting plane makers. In 1972 Britten‑Norman became part of the giant Fairey Group. More recently, in March 1976, John Britten and Desmond Norman left the company they had founded. The break was amicable and a statement at the time by the Fairey Company confirmed that the purchase of Britten‑Norman had been subject to the two founders staying until the Bembridge company was fully integrated. That situation had by then been achieved. John Britten in his final years with th Fairey Group had been anxious to get on with a design to meet with what he considered, "along with some others", a gap in the light aircraft field. This was an economical twin‑engined trainer. The specification formed in his mind and soon a GA and broad arrangement drawings were available. Performance figures were released at the 1977 Paris Air Show and John named the aircraft the Sheriff. Arrangements were completed with Micronair Ltd of Bembridge to undertake the construction of the prototype. This was the position at John Britten's death. Together with his life's work of designing successful aircraft John Britten shared an enthusiasm for the sea and sailing. He was a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and part owner of the Ocean Racer "Phillipides". In 1946 he joined Bembridge Sailing Club. He was a founder member of the Brading Haven Yacht Club. He supported many Bembridge village activities. John Britten became a member of the Royal
Aeronautical Society in February 1960. In 1971 he was awarded the British
Silver Medal for Aeronautics and was elected to Council in 1970. He was a
very active member, particularly on the Light Aeroplane Group when he died.
Both he and Desmond Norman were awarded the CBE in 1970 for services to
export. John Britten was appointed High Sheriff of the Maurice Brennan,
BSc, CEng, FRAeS |
F.
R. J. Britten, CBE, CEng, MRAeS, who died on 7th July, was known world‑wide
chiefly as a very successful designer of light aircraft. Together with his
colleague and friend Desmond Norman he entered the aircraft industry and they
jointly founded their own company Britten‑Norman. Its name was to
become famous throughout the world.|
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