The first flight of the prototype EMB-312G2 G-BTUC, which was furnished with a four-bladed Hartzell propeller and the Garrett TPE331-10 engine, took place in Brazil on 14 February 1986. Shortly afterwards, this aircraft was disassembled and airlifted to Short's Belfast facility on 29 March 1986, where it was reassembled and returned to the skies. The TPE331-12B engine was installed later. Over all, the Short Tucano's engine was more powerful and a bit noisier than the Embraer version with the PT-6A engine.

Tucano demonstrator. Registered as PP-ZTC in 1983 then G-BTUC in 1986. Withdrawn from use at Belfast City in 1991. Cancelled from the register in 1996. To the Ulster Aviation Society, Long Kesh in 2001.

Seen taking off at the airshow

Prototype of what became the Shorts Tucano

Seen at the Farnborough Airshow, this was ex PP-ZTC