Bristol Superfreighter

Type 170 Series 32 Superfreighter
A Bristol Superfreighter of Silver City Airways at Southampton Airport in 1954
Role Cargo aircraft
Passenger aircraft
Manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Company
First flight 16 January 1953
Introduction 1953
Status Retired
Primary user Silver City Airways
British United Air Ferries
British United Airways
Developed from Bristol Freighter

The Bristol Type 170 Superfreighter Mk 32 was a larger, stretched version of the Bristol Freighter designed for Silver City Airways for use on the short air ferry routes to France.

Production and operation

The first Superfreighters, with a longer - 42 ft 3 in (12.88 m) - hold than the earlier Mark 31, were delivered to Silver City Airways in spring 1953 and were used on cross-channel services to Europe. One example was converted to a 60-seat all-passenger "Super Wayfarer".[1]

The Mark 32 could carry 20 passengers instead of 12 in the smaller Mark 31 Freighter, and three cars instead of two in its air ferry role.[2]

The Superfreighter was distinguishable from the earlier Freighter by having a longer nose, in which the extra car was carried, and a fin fillet as well as rounded wingtips.

Operators

Specifications (Freighter Mk 32)

A British United Air Ferries Superfreighter in 1966

Data from Macdonald Aircraft Handbook.[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 73 ft 4 in (22.4 m)
  • Wingspan: 108 ft 0 in (32.92 m)
  • Height: 25 ft 0 in (7.62 m)
  • Wing area: 1487 ft2 (138.13 m2)
  • Empty weight: 29,950 lb (13,404 kg)
  • Gross weight: 44,000 lb (19,958 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Hercules 734 14-cylinder sleeve-valve radial piston engine, 1,980 hp (1,476 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 225 mph (362 km/h)
  • Range: 820 miles (1,320 km)
  • Service ceiling: 24,500 ft (7,470 m)

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Jackson, 1973, p. 257
  2. ↑ "British Air Ferry Takes Cars Across English Channel." Popular Mechanics, August 1954, p. 94
  3. ↑ Green 1965, p. 188.
Bibliography

  • Green, William. Macdonald Aircraft Handbook. London. Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1964.
  • Jackson, A.J.. British Civil Aircraft since 1919. Putnam & Company Ltd. 1973. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
  • "Everyday Airlift: Silver City's Channel Ferry", Flight: 226–227, 21 August 1953


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