Bristol Freighter
Bristol Aeroplane Company · UK · first flew 1945 · transport aircraft
The Bristol Freighter (Type 170) is a rugged twin-radial cargo aircraft with distinctive clamshell nose doors for vehicle loading.
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:
- Clamshell nose loading doors
- High wing with twin radials
- Fixed undercarriage on early marks
The slab-sided high-wing fuselage with hinged clamshell nose and fixed gear is unmistakable.
Specifications
- The Bristol Freighter has a length of 20.83 m (68 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 32.92 m (108 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in December 1945, it was widely used for cross-Channel car ferry services and general freight.
Variants
Marks included the standard Freighter and the stretched higher-capacity Superfreighter.
Where you'll see it
Operated by air ferry lines and many air forces; strongly associated with UK cross-Channel car ferries.
Related aircraft
- Bristol 170 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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