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BRISTOL TYPE 170

THE VIEW FROM FILTON


 
 An early variant of the Bristol Type 170 Freighter in Silver City Airways markings
  

An early variant of the Bristol Type 170 Freighter in Silver City Airways markings


Following the success of two previous articles on the Bristol Type 170 Freighter, Wayfarer and Superfreighter, Ken Guest kindly furnished me with a new four page monograph on the Bristol Freighter from the "Focus on Filton" series published by the Airbus Division of British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft.  Here are some highlights from it to further enhance our understanding of these most practical and widely used twin engined transports.                                                                                                 


HISTORY


Designed originally to meet military requirements for Far East operations, using jungle airstrips, the Bristol 170 first flew on 2 December 1945.  The RAF requirement no longer obtaining, the 170 went on the civil market as a short / medium haul freighter and its capacious fuselage and rugged structure proved attractive to many commerical and military operators.

First versions were the Freighter, with opening nose doors, and the Wayfarer without nose doors but with extra windows and 34 passenger seats.  Later improvements brough increased power and higher weights, and in 1947 a new model with the wingspan increased by 10', known as the New Type 170, first flew.

Later versions were used on car ferry work - the inaugural Silver City flight with two cars and passengers across the Channel took place on 13 july 1948 - and the final version was the Mk 32 with a lengthened nose.  This aeroplane could carry three cars and 20 passengers.  When production ceased in 1957, 214 170s had been built of which 116 went into Commonwealth and foreign air force service.         

                                                                                                           

LEADING PARTICULARS  FOR MARK 32 SUPERFREIGHTER

Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 734 radial air cooled engines each developing  2 000 bhp. Maximum take off weight 44 000 lb                                                                                                             
Length73' 8"Maximum landing weight44 000 lb
Span108'Maximum payload12 000 lb
Height24'Range with maximum payload700 n miles
Wing area 1 487 square feetMaximum passenger seats20, plus 3 cars





VARIANTS


Mark Description
1Freighter.  Freight carrying version with opening nose doors. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 632 engines.
1AFreighter.  As Mark 1 but with cargo hold forward and 16 passenger seats in the rear. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 632 engines.
2Freighter.  No nose doors, large freight loading door on each side of fuselage. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 632 engines.
2AWayfarer.  Passenger carrying version without nose doors.  Maximum 36 passenger seats. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 632 engines.
2CWayfarer.  Combined passenger / freight version with freight stowage fore and aft plus 20 passenger seats. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 632 engines.
11APrototype of New Type 170.  Span increased by 10'.  Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 632 engines.
21Freighter.  As Mark 11A but strengthened, more power and heigher weights. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 672 engines.
21AFreighter.  Cargo hold forward and 16 passenger seats in rear. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 672 engines.
21EFreighter.  Designed for mixed passenger / freight traffic with adjustable bulkhead. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 672 engines.
21MFreighter.  Military version of Mark 21. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 672 engines.
22AWayfarer. 36 passenger seats. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 672 engines.
31Freighter.  Modified tail unit with with dorsal fin.  Some retrospective modifications. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 734 engines.
31EFreighter.  Mixed passenger / freight traffic with adjustable bulkhead. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 734 engines.
31MFreighter. Military version of the Mark 31. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 734 engines.
32Superfreighter.  Lengthened fuselage nose for 3 cars plus 20 passengers. Two Bristol Siddeley Hercules 734 engines.


PRODUCTION


Registrations and Mark numbers are those of aircraft on delivery or first real use by operator


CONSTRUCTORS No.MARKREGISTRATIONDETAILS
12730PrototypeG-AGPVG = United Kingdom.  Also flew with RAF serial VR380
127312AG-AGVBAlso carried Ministry of Supply serial G-18-1
127321G-AGVCFirst Silver City Airway's car ferry
127332AG-AGUT.
127342AG-AHJB.
127352AG-AHJCTook part in Berlin Airlift. Later Australian National Airlines VH-INK
127362AG-AHJDTook part in Berlin Airlift
127371ALV-X11LV = Argentina
127382G-AHJF.
127392G-AHJG.
127402APP-YPDPP = Brazil
127412AVT-CHKVT = India
127422AVT-CHL.
127432APP-YPE.
127442CVT-CGV.
127452CVT-CGW.
127462AVT-CGX.
127472AG-AHJOTook part in Berlin Airlift
1274821EF-BENH.
127491ALV-XIJ.
127501ALV-XIL.
127511ALV-XIM.
127521ALV-XIN.
127531ALV-XIO.
127541ALV-XIP.
1275521VH-INJVH = Australia
127562BG-AICMFirst with flat windows in nose.
1275721EC-ADIEC = Spain
127581ALV-XIQ.
12759Bristol BrabazonG-AGPWConstructor's Number taken from within the Bristol Type 170 sequence for this ambitious airliner project.
127601ALV-XIR.
127611HC-SBMHC = Ecuador
127621HC-SBN.
127632AG-AICTBritannia test bed.  Later VR-NAL of West African Airways
127641ALV-XIS.
127651ALV-XIT.
1276621G-AIFFPrototype Mark 21 Freighter.
1276721ESA-AADSA = Saudi Arabia.  SA changed to HZ in March 1952
127681ALV-XIU.
127691ALV-XIV.
127701ALV-XIW.
127711ALV-XIX.
1277221ESA-AACLater HZ-AAC
1277321F-BENDF = France
1277421F-BENC.
1277521VP-YHZVP = Nyasaland & Rhodesia
1277621EC-ADH.
1277721EEC-ADK.
1277821EEC-ADL.
1277921EVP-YHW.
1278021EG-775Royal Pakistan Air Force
127812AVT-CIDLater G-AIFB.  Appeared in Ealing film "The Man In The Sky"
1278221F-BECR.
1278321ESA-AABLater HZ-AAB
1278421VR-NAXNigeria and British Cameroons
1278521G-776Royal Pakistan Air Force
1278621EC-AEH.
127871AF-BCJM.
127881F-BCJN.
127892R-37   G-AILY Filton test bed
1279021SA-AAALater HZ-AAA
1279121VR-NAZ.
127921SE-BNGSE = Sweden . Formerly G-AIMB
127931AG-AIMC.
1279421ESA-AAELater HZ-AAE
1279511AZS-BVIZS = South Africa. Formerly G-AIME
1279621MG-789Royal Pakistan Air Force
1279721EC-AEG.
1279821F-BECT.
1279921EWB482Ministry of Supply / RAAF
1280021MG-780Royal Pakistan Air Force
1280121F-BENX.
128022AF-BCJA.
1280321MG-780Royal Pakistan Air Force
1280421MG-782Royal Pakistan Air Force
1280521EWB483Ministry of Supply / RAAF
1280621MG-777Royal Pakistan Air Force
1280721EWB484Ministry of Supply / RAAF A81-3
1280821MG-791Royal Pakistan Air Force
1280921EF-BENV.
1281021MG-783Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281121MG.784Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281221EF-BENG.
1281321MG-785Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281421MG-786Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281521MG-787Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281621MG-788Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281721MG-792Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281821MG-793Royal Pakistan Air Force
1281921MG-794Royal Pakistan Air Force
1282021MG-795Royal Pakistan Air Force
1282121MG-796Royal Pakistan Air Force
1282221MG-797Royal Pakistan Air Force
1282321MG-798Royal Pakistan Air Force
1282421MG-799Royal Pakistan Air Force
1282521MG-800Royal Pakistan Air Force
1282631ZK-AYGZK = New Zealand
1282731EI-AFPEI = Eire ( Republic of Ireland )
1282831ZK-AYH.
1282931M9697Royal Canadian Air Force
12830319696Royal Canadian Air Force
1283131CF-GBTCF = Canada
1283231MNZ-5901Royal New Zealand Air Force
1283331MNZ 5902Royal New Zealand Air Force
1283431MNZ 5903Royal New Zealand Air Force
.
Argentine Air Force museum exhibit early model Bristol Type 170 numbered TC-330
Argentine Air Force museum exhibit early model Bristol Type 170 numbered TC-330

1292731MNZ 5904Royal New Zealand Air Force
1292821MG-801Royal Pakistan Air Force
1292921MG-802Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293021MG-803Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293121MG-804Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293221MG-805Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293321MG-806Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293421MG-807Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293521MG-808Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293621MG-809Royal Pakistan Air Force
1293731EEI-AFQOne of five operated by Aer Lingus
Argentine Air Force museum exhibit early model Bristol Type 170 numbered TC-330
Argentine Air Force museum exhibit early model Bristol Type 170 numbered TC-330
1305831MNZ-5905Royal New Zealand Air Force
1305931MNZ-5906Royal New Zealand Air Force
1306031MNZ-5907Royal New Zealand Air Force
Early model Bristol Type 170s of the Argentine Air ForceEarly Bristol Type 170s of the Argentine Air Force

1307231EEI-AFR.
1307332G-AMWAFirst of the Superfreighters
1307431EEI-AFS.
1307531EEC-AHN.
1307631EEI-AFT.
1307731EEC-AHO.
1307831EG-AMLPAir Charter, converted to Mark 32 specification March 1958
1307931M9698Royal Canadian Air Force
1308031MNZ-5909.
1308131M330Iraq Air Force
 Early model Argentine Air Force Bristol Type 170 Early model Argentine Air Force Bristol Type 170
1312431M331Iraqi Air Force
1312531EEC-AHH.
1312631EEC-AHI.
1312732G-AMWB.
1312832G-AMWC.
1312931EEC-AHJIberia, later Aviaco
1313031EEC-AHK.
1313132G-AMWD.
1313232G-AMWE.
1313332G-AMWF.
1313431MNZ-5910Royal New Zealand Air Force
1313531MNZ-5911Royal New Zealand Air Force
1313631CF-FZU.
1313731CF-TFX.
1313831CF-TFY.
1313931CF-TFZ.
1314031F-VNAR.
1314131F-VNAS.
1314231G-AMSAAir Charter, converted to Mark 32 specification July 1958
1314331MUB721Burma Air Force
As with the images above, I am indebted to Luis de la Fuente for the acquisition of this delightful photograph of an aerodrome in Argentina in the 1950s. Clockwise from the refuelling Bristol Type 170 are an IA-35 Huanquero ( built in Argentina to a design by Kurt Tank ), a Moraine-Saulnier Paris, a quartet of Gloster Meteor Mk IVs and a Douglas DC3 Dakota.
As with the images above, I am indebted to Luis de la Fuente for the acquisition of this delightful photograph of an aerodrome in Argentina in the 1950s. Clockwise from the refuelling Bristol Type 170 are an IA-35 Huanquero ( built in Argentina to a design by Kurt Tank ), a Moraine-SaulnierMS-760 Paris, a quartet of Gloster Meteor Mk IVs and a Douglas DC3 Dakota.
1315431ES-4401Royal Pakistan Air Force
1315531ES-4402Royal Pakistan Air Force
1315631ES-4403Royal Pakistan Air Force
1315731ES-4404Royal Pakistan Air Force
1315831ES-4405Royal Pakistan Air Force
1315931ES-4406Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316031ES-4407Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316131MS-4408Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316231EF-OAOT.
1316331MS-4410Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316431MS-4413Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316531EF-OAOU.
1316631MS-4415Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316731MS-4417Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316831MS-4419Royal Pakistan Air Force
1316931ES-4409Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317031MS-4421Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317131MS-4411Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317231MS-4422Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317331MS-4424Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317431ES-4426Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317531MS-4412Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317631ES-4427Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317731MS-4414Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317831MS-4429Royal Pakistan Air Force
1317931MS-4416Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318031MS-4418Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318131MS-4420Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318231MS-4430Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318331MS-4423Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318431ES-4425Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318531MS-4428Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318631MS-4431Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318731MS-4432Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318831MS-4434Royal Pakistan Air Force
1318931MS-4433Royal Pakistan Air Force
1319031MS-4435Royal Pakistan Air Force
1319131MS-4436Royal Pakistan Air Force
1319231MS-4437Royal Pakistan Air Force
1319331MS-4438Royal Pakistan Air Force

Bristol Type 170 Mark 32 G-ANWK - Constructors Number 13259 - in British United markings, as captured by Ken Guest. This aircraft was the basis of the much loved 1/72 scale Airfix kit.
Bristol Type 170 Mark 32 G-ANWK - Constructors Number 13259 - in British United markings, as captured by Ken Guest.  This aircraft was the basis of the much loved 1/72 scale Airfix kit.
1321031MUB-722Burma Air Force
1321132G-ANWG.
1321232G-ANWH.
1321332G-ANWI.
1321431M368Burma Air Force
1321531M369Burma Air Force
1321631G-ANMF.
1321731CXJ470Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down.
1321831MNZ-5912Royal New Zealand Air Force. Later G-BISU
1321931M9699Royal Canadian Air Force
....
1324931M9700Royal Canadian Air Force
1325031G-APLH.
1325132G-ANVRAir Charter
1325232G-ANVSAir Charter. Named "Vigilant" in British United markings.
1325331M9850Royal Canadian Air Force
1325432G-ANWJ.
1325531ZK-BVM.
1325632G-APAUAir Charter
1325732G-AOUUAir Charter
1325832G-AOUVAir Charter
1325932G-ANWKSilver City Airways.  Subject of the 1/72 scale  Airfix kit
1326032G-ANWL.
1326132G-ANWM.
1326232G-ANWNSilver City
1326332G-APAVAir Charter