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Rare Bristol freighter returns home
A historic Bristol Freighter – one of the last remaining in the world – made its final journey across the globe to return home.
The rare aircraft was shipped from New Zealand to Portbury Docks, completing its journey by road on Thursday to the Brabazon Hangar at the old Filton airfield, where it made its first flight in 1954.
“It’s really an important little aeroplane,” said Bill Morgan, a volunteer for Bristol Aero Collection – the charity behind Aerospace Bristol – who led the project to return the freighter back to the city where it was built.
is needed now More than ever
“It’s been sitting on the ground for 39 years and we are going to get it back to the way it was when we delivered it.”
Designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bristol Type 170 was used both as a freighter and as a passenger airliner, known as the Wayfarer.
One of the last 11 Bristol Type 170 Freighters left in the world (pictured without wings which were removed for transportation).
It was used by the New Zealand Navy and played a role in repatriating people out of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam war, but has been sitting abandoned for almost four decades.
The plan is to restore the freighter to its former glory but it will be some time before it will be on display for the general public to see.
Lloyd Burrell, executive director of Aerospace Bristol, says it could be some years before the aircraft goes on public display
Welcoming the arrival of the freighter back to Brabazon Hangar on Thursday, Lloyd Burnell, executive director of Aerospace Bristol, said: “This won’t be publicly accessible for quite a long time. It gives us a challenge for the future as significant funding is still needed for the conservation work.
“Our appeal to fund the project will continue into 2018 and we are hugely grateful to anyone who wishes to play their part in bringing her home.”
To track the aircraft’s progress and donate to the appeal, visit: www.aerospacebristol.org/freighter.
Read more: Aerospace Bristol takes flight
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