Bristol Type 170 Freighter
Thread Starter
Bristol Type 170 Freighter
I seem to recall a flying example of this aircraft arriving in the UK from New Zealand some years ago, does anyone know what happened to it on arrival UK?
Further, are there any examples still flying and if so, where please?
Lastly, if there's already a thread on this machine please point me in the right direction!
With fraternal greetings,
ambi
Further, are there any examples still flying and if so, where please?
Lastly, if there's already a thread on this machine please point me in the right direction!
With fraternal greetings,
ambi
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,614
Received 289 Likes
on
158 Posts
A couple turned up in the early 1980s (G-AMLK and G-BISU) operated by Instone, and then headed west to Canada. One returned to the UK in 1996, but was sadly written off in a landing accident at Enstone in Juily that year (the wreck is still there?) and the other crashed in Canada.
.
Don't think any are currently airworthy and the only potential flyer is in Australia or New Zealand.
.Don't think any are currently airworthy and the only potential flyer is in Australia or New Zealand.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ahhh.. The Bristol Frightener! Here's one in NZ, although it won't fly again:
ZK-CPT Bristol 170 Freighter. Omaka Aerodrome, NZ. 5 April 2007 :: ZKCPT.jpg :: Fotopic.Net
ZK-CPT Bristol 170 Freighter. Omaka Aerodrome, NZ. 5 April 2007 :: ZKCPT.jpg :: Fotopic.Net
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,614
Received 289 Likes
on
158 Posts
I was round by the tower at Biggin Hill in around 1983 and heard the sound of approaching radials - G-BISU heaved majestically into view and sailed right over the top at low level. Wonderful sight and sound!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bristol 170 Youtube clips...
...Mr. Youtube here again 
...
There are some clips here that might be of interest:
YouTube - bristol 170
I'd take a look at them but I should be cleaning my flat right now!
...There are some clips here that might be of interest:
YouTube - bristol 170
I'd take a look at them but I should be cleaning my flat right now!
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: world
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are quite a few around the world, but they're all static. In Canada, there's an ex Wardair example (CF-TFX) at the entrance to Yellowknife. The ex Instone G-AMLK can be found in Hawkair colours as C-GYQS outside the Reynolds Museum, Wetaskiwin. It looked in pretty good shape although obviously not airworthy.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,614
Received 289 Likes
on
158 Posts
The ex Instone G-AMLK can be found in Hawkair colours as C-GYQS outside the Reynolds Museum
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: North Cornwall
Age: 73
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This thread brings back memories, my first ever flight was in a Silver City Bristol Freighter in 1960 coming back from a holiday in France. We flew from Le Touquet to Lydd with the car, one of the early Rover 3 Litres.....
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Essex
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quote
I seem to recall a flying example of this aircraft arriving in the UK from New Zealand some years ago, does anyone know what happened to it on arrival UK?
Unquote.
I was fortunate to be the Traffic Officer that met what became G-BISU on it's arrival in STN via many tech stops en route from NZ. I can't remember the ZK reg at the time, but it was quite a unique aircraft to deal with and looked pretty tired, lots of oil over the cowlings, etc. I may still have some photos somewhere and as was also quoted, it was painted silver and went into service with Instone, who at that time specialised in mainly transporting horses. Jeremy and Giles I believe were the names of the brothers that ran the Company, but I may be very wrong on that, it was very many years ago.
I seem to recall a flying example of this aircraft arriving in the UK from New Zealand some years ago, does anyone know what happened to it on arrival UK?
Unquote.
I was fortunate to be the Traffic Officer that met what became G-BISU on it's arrival in STN via many tech stops en route from NZ. I can't remember the ZK reg at the time, but it was quite a unique aircraft to deal with and looked pretty tired, lots of oil over the cowlings, etc. I may still have some photos somewhere and as was also quoted, it was painted silver and went into service with Instone, who at that time specialised in mainly transporting horses. Jeremy and Giles I believe were the names of the brothers that ran the Company, but I may be very wrong on that, it was very many years ago.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Canadian Shield
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
According to the plaque at the site, the Yellowknife example was the first wheeled aircraft ever to land at the North Pole. While it's external condition looks fair enough, the interior was trashed by various bands of homeless living in it during the Summer... quite an achievement really as it's 30' in the air!
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting story at Heathrow... Frightener took off and the Air controller launched a Trident, thinking the Frightener would have turned to give the "split" (one going north, one going south). Unfortunately, the Frightener was only doing about 90 kts with the Trident hurtling up behind. Air man said to the Frightener: "Would you move over to the right, traffic to come past"... which it did.. and both went merrily on their ways!! Happy days...
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,614
Received 289 Likes
on
158 Posts
Of course, the Biffo that was here in '86 took part in the "50 years of Heathrow" parade down the approach to 27R in 1996, shortly before its prang at Enstone. From memory, it went something like a Rapide or two, the "Frightener", Dove, Heron, DC-3, etc... finishing up with an MD-11.
Merlin, must try and arrange a beer sometime in Feb.
Merlin, must try and arrange a beer sometime in Feb.
Ahhh.. The Bristol Frightener! Here's one in NZ, although it won't fly again:
YouTube - Bristol Freighter - First Taxi In 20 Years