The Bristol Freighter T170 is back on her feet
Aerospace Bristol’s Bristol Freighter T170 has reached another major milestone in its biggest-ever conservation project, as the 70-year-old aircraft was raised to fit its main landing gear and she is now back on her feet.
After years of careful conservation, Europe’s only surviving Bristol Freighter T170 is standing tall once more, marking another major step towards returning this remarkable aircraft to its complete form.
The operation saw Aerospace Bristol’s specialist conservation team raise the aircraft several metres into the air to fit its main landing gear, a complex piece of engineering made possible by the expertise of the volunteers and former aerospace engineers who have contributed thousands of hours to the project.
The milestone transforms the Freighter into a structurally complete, freestanding aircraft, bringing it one step closer to becoming the centrepiece of Aerospace Bristol’s new outdoor exhibition.
The Bristol Freighter was designed and built in Filton by the Bristol Aeroplane Company and is one of just 12 surviving examples anywhere in the world. It served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force before making the long journey back to its birthplace in 2018.
Since then, the aircraft has undergone years of painstaking conservation work at Aerospace Bristol. In July, it was moved outside from its conservation hangar for the first time since returning to Bristol, where it will remain as conservation work continues.
The project is being delivered by a dedicated team of up to 50 specialist volunteers, former aerospace engineers and ex-Bristol Aeroplane Company employees, who are expected to contribute around 10,000 hours to preserving the aircraft for future generations.
Sally Cordwell, CEO of Aerospace Bristol, said: “Seeing the Freighter standing on its own feet again is a hugely special moment for everyone who has contributed to this project. It’s a testament to the skill, dedication and sheer hours of work that our team has put into bringing this beautiful aircraft back to life.
“The Freighter has already come an extraordinary distance since returning to Bristol in 2018, so seeing this project taking shape is incredibly rewarding. There’s still more to do, but this is another massive step towards a display that truly allows visitors to experience a remarkable piece of Bristol’s aviation heritage up close.”
The Freighter’s distinctive 108ft wings are being conserved separately and will be reattached as the project progresses, with the aircraft continuing to transform in front of visitors.
As a live conservation project, visitors to Aerospace Bristol can follow the work as it happens, meet the volunteers behind the restoration and discover more about the aircraft’s remarkable story as it goes on, from its construction in Bristol to its service in New Zealand and its return to its birthplace.
The Bristol Freighter will ultimately form the centrepiece of a new outdoor exhibition, giving visitors the chance to get closer to one of the rarest surviving examples of Bristol’s post-war aviation heritage.
The conservation story continues – and you can watch it unfold at Aerospace Bristol.