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Home News Current Projects Online Store Stories Photo & Video Downloads Subscribe Links About Us	Bristol Freighter: Merchant Courier Snuggly nestled behind the Marlbrough Aero Club clubrooms at Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim, New Zealand, is ZK-CPT 'Merchant Courier', one of the few remaining Bristol Freighter aircraft on display in the world. ZK-CPT 'Merchant Courier, at rest at Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim, New Zealand. Work on Bristol's Type 170 began in 1944 to design a simple, sturdy and economical working transport for civil or military use. It featured an unobstructed box fuselage with the flight deck mounted above it, and two clamshell doors in the nose for straight-in loading. First flying in December 1945, the Freighter became Bristol's first post-war production aircraft. ZK-CPT was part of the largest civilian fleet of Bristol Freighters to be found anywhere in the world. In their heyday, seventeen were owned by Safe Air Ltd at their Woodbourne (Blenheim, New Zealand) base while the Royal New Zealand Air Force operated a further twelve Freighters between 1951 and 1977. A veteran of some 27,679 hours in the air, and 33,337 landings, ZK-CPT's flying time represents a continuous airborne time of three years and one month! During her working life, the aircraft carried thousands of tons of freight and mail, and many horses, sheep, pigs, cattle as well as motor cars and many human passengers Originally built for the Spanish airline Iberia the aircraft was given the serial number 13126. She was included on the British register as G-AMRR prior to taking her Spanish registration of EC-WHI. Later the aircraft was re-registered as EC-AHI, and was delivered to Iberia on the 2nd May 1953. She was sold to Aviation Traders of England and delivered to them on the 28th January 1965, as G41-3-66 and put into storage. Purchased by Safe Air Ltd on 2nd May 1966 the aircraft departed Lydd Airport on the 4th May, bound for New Zealand. The crew of Captain J. D. Howard and First Officer R.T. Alexander, followed the route: Lydd - Rome - Athens - Damascus - Bahrain - New Delhi - Calcutta - Bangkok - Sandakan - Darwin - Mt Isa - Brisbane - Norfolk Is - Auckland - Blenheim The aircraft arrived at Woodbourne (Blenheim) 18 days later after a total flight time of approximately 85 hours. ZK-CPT entered Safe Air service on the 18th July 1966, and flew on Rail Air, New Zealand Post Office, and Air New Zealand contracts for the rest of her flying career. The gaping nose shows off the square box shape of the fuselage. Her last flight for Safe Air was on the 7th February 1986, when she was delivered to Omaka Aerodrome by Captain R.A. Guard, and First Officer R. Haxton, both ex-chief flying instructors of the Marlborough Aero Club. She was officially retired on the 15th June 1986. The 'Friends Of The Bristol Society' was formed in 1986 to coordinate the reservation, maintenance and display of the aircraft, on behalf of its owners, the Marlborough Aero Club. The Society's aim is to continue to ensure the long-term preservation and maintenance ZK-CPT to enable this historic, unusual and valuable old aircraft to see out its days in a graceful and dignified retirement. Recently the aircraft's engines have been run again (see here for hi-res movie download) for the first time in 20 years, with the aim of getting the aircraft capable of taxying up and down the airfield once more, allowing a new generation to experience the thunderous roar of this old work horse. ZK-CPT is freely available for inspection, and tour parties are welcome. Enquiries can be made at the Marlborough Aero Club. Photo Courtesy of Brian Pratt.   << Previous :: Next >>	Back To Articles List
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