Bristol Freighter reaches major milestone as aircraft moves outdoors
Visitors to Aerospace Bristol will soon be able to witness one of the UK's most ambitious live projects reach its next major milestone, as Europe's only surviving Bristol Freighter Type 170 is carefully moved to its permanent outdoor home.
The complex engineering operation marks the beginning of the next chapter in the museum's biggest-ever conservation project, transforming the rare aircraft into the centrepiece of a new outdoor exhibition where visitors can watch history being preserved in real time.
For the first time since returning to Bristol from New Zealand in 2018, the 70-year-old aircraft will be carefully manoeuvred from its conservation hangar by a specialist team of volunteers and former aerospace engineers, following months of planning and preparation.
Sally Cordwell, Chief Executive of Aerospace Bristol, said: "This is far more than a conservation project, it's an opportunity for visitors to experience history being preserved before their eyes.
"Projects of this scale are rarely seen by the public. Visitors won't just see the aircraft up close, they'll meet the volunteers conserving it, discover the engineering behind the project and experience a remarkable piece of Bristol's aviation heritage as it's brought back to life."
Once in position, it will remain outdoors permanently, ready for the next stage of the project as its centre wing box is reunited with the fuselage later this summer.
Unlike most major restoration projects, which take place behind closed workshop doors, the Bristol Freighter conservation project is happening live across Aerospace Bristol expansive outdoor space, giving visitors an extraordinary opportunity to follow the aircraft's transformation as it happens.
Throughout the summer, visitors can meet the volunteers behind the project, hear the stories of the aircraft from expert guides and watch conservation work take place just metres away.
Designed and built in Filton just minutes from where it now stands, the Bristol Freighter is one of only 12 surviving anywhere in the world and the only example remaining in Europe.
Instantly recognisable by its huge clamshell nose doors, cavernous cargo bay and 108ft wingspan, it played an important role in post-war aviation before serving with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Moving the aircraft outdoors is one of the project's most significant engineering milestones to date. The operation paves the way for the reattachment of the aircraft's centre wing box, bringing the Freighter one step closer to becoming a spectacular new outdoor exhibit.
When complete, visitors will be able to get closer than ever before to the aircraft, explore its remarkable history and continue following the conservation project as it evolves over the coming months.
The Bristol Freighter conservation project forms part of Summer Takes Off at Aerospace Bristol, where families can also explore Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, enjoy daily science shows and spotlight talks, tackle giant lawn games, try the interactive marble run, climb aboard pedal planes on selected dates and experience immersive planetarium shows.
Whether you're fascinated by engineering, aviation history or simply looking for a memorable summer day out, there's never been a better time to visit and watch the next chapter of the Bristol Freighter story unfold.
The conservation team wearing hi-vis posing with the doors open of the Bristol Freighter outside.
The conservation team wearing hi-vis with the Bristol Freighter outside.
The Bristol Freighter emerging from the conservation workshop.