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Hayes Way
Patchway, BS34

Aerospace Bristol is a new industrial heritage museum and learning centre being developed at Filton, to the north of Bristol. It will tell the story of the region's world-class aerospace industry - past, present and future. The Aerospace Bristol project is being run by the Bristol Aero Collection Trust.

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Bring the Freighter home

Be part of history and help bring the Bristol Type 170 Freighter home

Bristol Type 170 Freighter

One of the last remaining Bristol Type 170 Freighters currently lies in wait in Ardmore airfield near Auckland, New Zealand, and we want to bring her back to the UK.

Designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1944, the Type 170 was used both as a freighter and as a passenger airliner, known as the Wayfarer. The innovatively-designed Freighter had a 108ft wingspan and featured distinctive clamshell doors that allowed cargo – including vehicles and large animals - to be loaded via its nose. 

A total of 214 Freighters and Wayfarers were built and delivered to airlines and air forces across the world between 1945 and 1958. Sadly, only 11 complete examples survive in the world today, and none of these are located in Europe. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring a Type 170 to Filton and put it on public display at Aerospace Bristol where it will inspire the next generation of engineers.

During the restoration programme we will pass on valuable skills to the next generation and, by using the stories of innovation and entrepreneurial-ship, we will aim to inspire many more school children to consider careers as designers and engineers to solve some of the issues of the future.

support us

Bringing an aircraft of this size home is no mean feat and we need your help to make this happen. Please give a donation and play your part in rescuing the Freighter from New Zealand and bringing by this piece of history back to Bristol.  Thank you.

The Bristol Type 170 Freighter

The Bristol Type 170 Freighter

 

Other restoration projects

BOLINGBROKE 9048 PROJECT

Rescued from the US, the Bristol Bolingbroke bomber is a Canadian-built version of the Bristol Blenheim, and flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1946 until withdrawn from service.

It is being lovingly restored by a team of volunteers and once complete will go on display in her RCAF colours from 1942.

Historic wartime photograph of Bolingbroke 9048 flying over Alaska in 1942.

Historic wartime photograph of Bolingbroke 9048 flying over Alaska in 1942.

BRISTOL FIGHTER

The Bristol Fighter - or "Brisfit" - was a World War One two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, and a formidable opponent for German fighters. Over 5,000 Bristol Fighters were produced at Filton, and work is underway to restore the aircraft, including a new set of wings, readying the Fighter for its return to Bristol from North America.

PHOTO CREDIT: BAE Systems

PHOTO CREDIT: BAE Systems

support our restoration projects

We are keen to complete the restoration of these and other projects.  If you would like to play your part in bringing these fascinating pieces of Bristol's great heritage back to their former glory, you can make a difference by making a donation.  No matter how small, we appreciate your contribution.  Thank you.