Britten-Norman BN-3 Nymph

[Mark Nankivil]

Good Day All -

Taken from an article in the February, 1970 issue of Flight Magazine, a three view and details of the one off BN-3 Nymph. The article was about Britten-Norman's effort to sell the design as a kit to be assembled by fixed base operators in other countries under license then to be sold and serviced accordingly. Only one BN-3 was built though later, after the demise of Britten-Norman, Desmond Norman brought the design over to his NDN Aircraft firm (later renamed NAC) and stretched the fuselage to create the NAC-1 Freelance. The Nymph was modified and one other NAC-1 was built but nothing came of the design.

The specs note "Rolls Royce" for the 130Hp option - what engine would that have been?

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[Hood]

The 130hp Rolls-Royce would have been the licence-built Continental O-240-A.

 

[Mark Nankivil]

Thanks Hood! Mark

 

[riggerrob]

Since it was slightly smaller than Cessna's 172, it would compete for the lower end of that market sector. Since C172 is the most-sold airplane in the world, there was still plenty of room for NDN.

Looks like NDN's business plan included gaining an advantage with low-cost labour in developing countries. As long as they had a few ex-pat inspectors, they should have been able to keep quality up to First World standards.
How long before DND starts importing African-built BN-3s to Europe?
How would the cost of a BN-3 compete with a Cessna.

 

[Mike Pryce]

There was also a proposed 'Twin Nymph', with a second engine on the tail, like the Trislander. There used to be a picture online, but I cannot find it now, by the artist Ivan Berryman.

 

[Mike Pryce]

Here it is, and a BN-3 painting, from: http://www.ivanberrymandirect.com/blog_archive.htm