Bristol 170 Freighter
Bristol Aeroplane Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1945 · transport aircraft
The Bristol 170 Freighter was a British high-wing utility transport famous for its clamshell nose doors, which allowed vehicles and bulky cargo to be driven aboard. It served widely with military and civil operators across the world.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 20.83 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Slab-sided high-wing freighter with clamshell nose doors
- Fixed stalky undercarriage beneath a deep belly
- Two Bristol Hercules radials in large round cowlings
The enormous flat-sided forward fuselage ending in clamshell nose freight doors, fixed undercarriage with large fairings, high straight wing, and two Hercules radials are unmistakable features of the Bristol 170.
Specifications
- The Bristol 170 Freighter has a length of 20.83 m (68 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 32.92 m (108 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 338 km/h (210 mph).
- Typical crew: 3–4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1945, the Bristol 170 was designed for post-war commercial freighting. Silver City Airways famously used it for the Channel car-ferry service from 1948, carrying cars and passengers across the English Channel. Over 200 were built.
Variants
The Freighter Mk 21 and 32 were the main civil car-ferry versions with progressively enlarged nose openings. The Wayfarer was a passenger-configured variant without the freight nose. Military marks served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and others.
Where you'll see it
Widely used in the UK, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, and many other countries. Air New Zealand's feeder carrier used them extensively on South Island routes. New Zealand was among the last operators, retiring examples in the 1970s.
Related aircraft
- Bristol Freighter
- Bristol Brigand
- Bristol Type 171 Sycamore
- Bristol Type 171 Sycamore Mk 1
- Avro Lancastrian
- Canadian Car and Foundry CBY-3 Loadmaster
- de Havilland Devon
- de Havilland Devon C.2
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