I’m not sure if anyone is aware but a very imortant piece of British aviation heritage is up for sale in canada. It is a Bristol Freighter Type 170 Series 31, it was last flown in 2004 and is in near airworthy condition. I think it would be a real shame to see this one end up in a museum in north america when we dont have a complete one over here (let alone one thats virtually airworthy!) I beleive that with a relativley low investment cost that it could be made airworthy and flown back over here where it could kept flying.
By: Dave Homewood - 30th May 2006 at 11:29
Crikey, it took 86 hours to fly it from Ardmore to the UK? I wouldn’t want to be a passenger on that one.
This is as much a piece of NZ heritage as it is part of Britain’s, but I doubt we’ll see it return to this country. Mind you we have loads preserved here in museums even if none are flying.
By: David Burke - 30th May 2006 at 10:22
There is no great demand for Bristol Freighter parts – the bidder I am refering to is capable of purchasing her.
By: Bruce - 30th May 2006 at 08:19
I suggest that the names of the bidders are at this point wholly irrelevant, as they are still well below what I guess the reserve to be. At this stage, the bidders are bargain hunters, and perhaps not serious enough to outlay the kind of cash that the owners feel it is worth…
Bruce
By: Newforest - 30th May 2006 at 08:09
The name of one of the bidders is south of the border – should be interesting!
Looks like most of the bidders are from that geographical location but the clue of parts spares does not sound reassuring. 🙁
By: David Burke - 29th May 2006 at 22:34
The name of one of the bidders is south of the border – should be interesting!
By: David Burke - 29th May 2006 at 22:34
The name of one of the bidders is sounth of the border – should be interesting!
By: ALBERT ROSS - 29th May 2006 at 22:00
Pretty obvious it’s return to the UK has NOT been secured. Highest bidder to date is a Canadian. As far as I know they’ve already got TWO of them preserved.
By: Newforest - 27th May 2006 at 14:16
Hi a1exhall,
Disappointing in some respects if the B.170 is now for open sale on Ebay
Going to keep an eye on this, they didn’t want my bid of $2.
By: Consul - 27th May 2006 at 11:54
Hi a1exhall,
The situation re this B.170, presently at Wetaskiwin, has been discussed on a prior thread to which I provide a link below. My input to that thread included a photo I took of this machine last year. Disappointing in some respects if the B.170 is now for open sale on Ebay as it had been reported recently that an arrangement was being negotiated to hopefully enable its return to the UK – but now that appears less certain in the light of your post. I suppose it’s a reality of commerce that they must seek the best return on the asset and there will be competition to obtain it. Thanks for flagging up.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=55095&highlight=Bristol+Freighter
By: mark_pilkington - 27th May 2006 at 11:50
Alex
“simply ask and you will receive….”
It seems your prayers are already answered?
Monday, April 17, 2006
Bristol Freighter set for homecoming
In September 2004, this website reported on the last ever flight of a Bristol Freighter, when C-GYQS was delivered from Terrace, British Columbia, to Wetaskiwin, BC. It had been donated by Hawkair to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum, and its flight marked not only the last flight of a Freighter, but the last of any surviving UK-built Bristol aircraft. It now appears that this may not be its final flight, as it has been secured by Graham Kilsby, who wants to fly it from the West of Canada back to its birthplace in Bristol.The aircraft was put up for auction, as Hawkair has gone into administration, and the freighter is still deemed as an asset. Preparations are now being made to bring the aircraft back to life, and prepare it for a 50-hour flight across the Atlantic. In order to achieve this, a fund has been set up to raise the £75,000 costs involved. There are no Freighters in Europe, and infact it is probably the only commercially successful British aircraft where there is no example preserved in the UK or Europe. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund should call +44 (0)117 962 1105 in the UK. Progress on this project will appear on this website when available.
posted by Andrew at 12:40 PM
As reported on the Bristol Aircraft World Survey site
regards
Mark Pilkington
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May 27, 2006 at 11:26 am