First flown in November 1961 it was delivered to BEA at Heathrow as V.953 Vanguard "Superb" on 13th December 1961. During 1970/71 it was converted as a V.953C Merchantman and re-delivered to BEA Cargo, (renamed British Airways Cargo on 1st April 1974), on 8th March 1971. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers, (Hunting Air Cargo from 1992), in November 1979, it was stored at East Midlands Airport until entering service in 1981. When retired in September 1996 it was the last airworthy Merchantman, and made its last flight on 17th October 1996 when it was donated to the Brooklands Museum by Hunting PLC.

Misty air display at Manufacturers field....later to Singapore

Britten-Norman's Bembridge Open Weekend was spoiled by fog which partly lifted on the Sunday. Sold in France in 1972

Zambia Flying Doctor Service aircraft demonstrating at the foggy Britten-Norman Open Weekend

At the misty air display at Bembridge, with Court Line Aviation until they collapsed in 1974. It later became G-ROGR, G-RODY, G-OBHH, G-WLLY and was cancelled as destroyed in June 2006

A foggy Britten-Norman Open Weekend . G-AYCW was sold to Israel

Panamanian registered aircraft were a rarity in England but the Islander sold worldwide from the original production line at Bembridge.

Demonstrating at the foggy Britten-Norman open weekend

At a very misty Bembridge Air Show

At the Britten-Norman Open Weekend and Air Race which was affected by sea fog.

At the foggy Britten-Norman open weekend and race

A sporty takeoff for this interesting STOL Turbo Porter at the Air Races at Bembridge

Demonstration tour aimed at winning orders from Australia. There were no takers