It Took Decades But This Rusting Bristol Freighter Has Done The Impossible

Blessed.

This Bristol Type 170 Freighter has seen better days as it rusted outside of a New Zealand airport. It has taken a lot of effort but this freighter’s days are starting to look a lot brighter than they were before. This aging plane will finally be returning to Bristol, England where it will undergo a full restoration effort.

David Bradley is the Restoration Manager for Aerospace Bristol and he is taking it upon himself to ensure that this freighter gets back in the best shape possible. Thanks to many charitable donations the Bristol Freighter has raised enough money to be shipped back to the town that bears its name.

“The freighter is no longer airworthy and is being stripped down to its fuselage. It will be shipped on a roll-on-roll-off Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel. The journey will take around 80 days from Auckland to Portsmouth, England. From there, it will be trucked to Bristol.”

As the Bristol Freighter begins its journey across the planet David Bradley discusses breaking down and rebuilding the freighter for the restoration process.