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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 16, 2010 20:47:03 GMT 12
The next Bristol Freighter to arrive was a Mk.31E for Straits Air Freight Express Ltd. This had been built with c/n 12937 as G-ALSJ for the Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd. First operator of this aircraft was Aer Lingus Teoranta who operated it as EL-AFQ 'St Finbar' from June 1952. Aer Lingus sold it on 26Oct1955 to Airwork Ltd., owners of SAFE, who registered the Bristol again as G-ALSJ for delivery to New Zealand. Arriving in NZ on 22Nov55, this aircraft became ZK-BMA with Straits Air Freight Express Ltd., Blenheim from 21Oct1955 carrying the name 'Marlborough'. ZK-BMA flew 16352hrs before it was withdrawn from use at Woodbourne 10Jul1967. However, there was life in the old girl yet. The mainplanes went into th rebuild of Freighter ZK-CRM while the fuselage was fitted with the wings from ZK-CVL and rebuilt with the new c/n of R12937 and registration ZK-CVY with Safe-Air Ltd. as from 23Nov1967. ZK-CVY entered line service on 18Dec1967 carrying the name 'Merchant Wayfarer'. ZK-CVY was finally withdrawn on 25Mar1982 with the registration cancelled on the same day. Scrapped at Woodbourne. Bristol Freighter ZK-BMA soon after arrival in New Zealand
Loading freight at Nelson 19Jan1965 At Mangere 3Mar1967
ZK-CVY at Mangere 27Jul1968 At Wellington 1970s Having acquired Freighter NZ5905 from the RNZAF as ZK-BEO, SAFE undertook to supply a new aircraft as soon as the Bristol Aeroplane Company could deliver it. This materialized as c/n 13218 which arrived at Whenuapai to become NZ5912 on 31Mar1955. NZ5912 was destined to follow in its sister footsteps, being sent on loan to Straits Air Freight Express from 14Dec1957 as ZK-BVI, possibly to help handle the summer freight rush. The hire terminated in March 1958, with ZK-BVI becoming NZ5912 once more an ZK-BVI being cancelled on 8Apr1958. NZ5912 was finally withdrawn from military service at Whenuapai on 14Dec1977. Sold to R S Dwen along with the others, it became ZK-EPH with Dwen Airmotive NZ Ltd. on 14Aug1978 and was flown to Ardmore on the 31st. After sitting idle at Ardmore for some time, ZK-EPH left NZ on 2Mar1981 for the UK where it became G-BISU with Instone Air Line Ltd., Stanstead on 6May1981 engaged mainly on horse transport work and, later, oil rig support. WFU at Coventry 4Nov1987 it passed to the Duxford Aviation Society on loan until departing for Canada on 8Dec1988 to become C-FDFC with Trans Provincial Airlines Ltd., Prince Rupert, BC on 2Feb1989. On 21Apr1989 MRS 4000 Investments Ltd., Vancouver, BC became the owners, and the Bristol was flow back to the UK on 16Sep1994 where it was engaged in display flying until control was lost on take-off at Enstone on 18Jul1996. The resultant damage was terminal and the airframe scrapped. NZ5912 tucked up at Whenuapai 7Jun1965 As ZK-BVI 1958 RNZAF Freighters travelled. NZ5912 at Kuching, Sarawak, 1967 Attending the Browns Road, New Plymouth, opening pageant 3Mar1967
ZK-EPH as delivered to Ardmore, 3Sep1978 
Preparing for overseas departure, Ardmore 1981 After arrival in the UK it was operated by Instone Airlines based at Stanstead. In the UK, April 1981 Registered as G-BISU from May1981, this Bristol was withdrawn at Coventry 4Nov1987 and passed into the hands of Duxford Aviation Society on loan. Sold to Trans Provincial Airlines Ltd., Prince Rupert, BC, the UK registration was cancelled 20Dec88 and the aircraft became C-FDFC on 2Feb1989. MRS 4000 Investments Ltd., Vancouver, BC took ownership on 21Apr1994 and the aircraft was flown back to the UK on the 2nd September. Still operating as C-FDFC, this Bristol was destroyed when it crashed on t/off at Enstone 18Jul1996. |
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 17, 2010 14:12:52 GMT 12
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 17, 2010 14:30:18 GMT 12
A Bristol at work, both the subject and photographer vibrating in unison, with all the rivets in tight formation  Back on the ground for inspection  |
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 17, 2010 14:42:25 GMT 12
Having flown in Bristols for "air experience" and watched the front clamshell doors working up and down , I have always wondered how quickly a Bristol would stop if the door locks gave way, and the doors became the ultimate in air brakes !
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 18, 2010 19:52:42 GMT 12
Until the tail blows off!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 18, 2010 20:48:47 GMT 12
The next Bristol Freighter to arrive in New Zealand was a Mk.31 c/n 13255 which had been built as G-18-202 by the Bristol company in 1957. This aircraft arrived on 18Mar1958 for Straits Air Freight Express Ltd. and became ZK-BVM Blenheim. Ownership was transferred to Safe-Air Ltd., Blenheim 31Oct1967 and in later life it was renamed Merchant Carrier. After an apparently uneventful life, ZK-BVM was retired at Woodbourne after its last flight on 21Dec78 and the registration was cancelled on 21Feb1979. ZK-BVM at Mangere 6Aug1968 as 'Merchant Carrier' As Bristol Freighter production ceased at around this time, when SAFE needed further aircraft they had to look at the second-hand market. The Pakistan Air Force had bought 38 Freighters (including 5 capable of being fitted with spray booms for anti-locust operations!), so when these became surplus SAFE took an interest. Freighter Mk.31E c/n 13154 had been built as G-18-146 in 1953 and went to Pakistan with the military serial S4401 early 1954. SAFE bought it from the Pakistan Air Force and registered the aircraft as ZK-CAL on 9Jun1961. Arriving in New Zealand On 9Dec1961 it joined the fleet as Merchant Trader on 12May1962. Ownership changed to Safe-Air Ltd. 31Oct1967 and after its last flight on 12Dec1980 ZK-CAL was WFU Woodbourne @ 17458.02hrs. The registration was cancelled on 14May1981. ZK-CAL at Whenuapai 10Mar1965 At the Auckland International Airport Opening display 31Feb1966 Parked at Nelson 23Jul1979 The next Freighter off the line, c/n 13155, was built as G-18-146 in 1953 and also went to Pakistan, as S4402. This aircraft was sold by the Pakistan Air Force @ 1500hrs and was registered by Straits Air Freight Express as ZK-CAM on 7Jun1961. It arrived at Woodbourne on 3Sep1961 and entered service as Merchant Venturer on the 30th October. Ownership as transferred to Safe-Air Ltd. on 31Oct1967. ZK-CAM was landing at Woodbourne on 14Jan1981 when the right undercarriage collapsed at end of landing roll due to fatigue in the structure. The aircraft was not repaired following this incident and the registration was cancelled on 14May1981. The rear fuselage was employed in a rebuild of ZK-CLT and the rest of the fuselage served as a fire/rescue training aid until scrapped. ZK-CAM at Rongotai 9Jun1968
At Woodbourne September 1980 Fuselage of ZK-CAM at Woodbourne 28Aug1982 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 18, 2010 21:14:07 GMT 12
I think that fuselage was still over the back of Woodbourne when I joined the RNZAF in January 1989. Am I right in thinking there were still either one or perhaps a few complete, flyable examples stored at Woodbourne near the fire station in 1989? I'm certain there was at least one, but have a vague feeling it may have been more than that. Does anyone have dates of when they left? I never saw one flying, the Argosies were very active there then though. They were always neat to watch in the circuit.
I also recall that there were two or three at Ardmore where there is now only one when I was young. I assume one of them is the one that went to Waihi and then onto Waitomo.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 20, 2010 21:15:35 GMT 12
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.31M c/m was built at Filton as G-18-149 and was allotted to the Pakistan Air Force as S4404 on 22Dec1953. S4404 was sold abroad in Aug65 to SAFE and became ZK-CLT Merchant Hauler on 1Jun1965, arriving on New Zealand on the 24th August. Ownership was transferred to Safe-Air Ltd. 31Oct1967. ZK-CLT was one of the Freighters that was fitted out for the passenger capsule flights to Chatham Islands, retaining its fuselage windows for that purpose. Last flight as ZK-CLT 23Sep86. WFU @ 19021.56hrs. Registration cancelled 7Jan87. It was then passed on to the RNZAF Museum and flown to Wigram bearing the unofficial serial NZ5913 on 21May1987. The proposed swap for a Bolingbroke project did not eventuate and NZ5913 was then flown back to Woodbourne on 25Jun1988 for an overhaul at SafeAir prior to being placed back on the civil register as ZK-CLT on 25Jul1988 under the ownership of Trans Provincial Airlines Ltd., Prince Rupert, BC, Canada. ZK-CLT left Auckland for Canada on 7Oct1989 and the registration was cancelled (for the second time) 12Jan1990. On arrival in Canada the Freighter became C-FTPA with Trans Provincial Airlines from 6Jul1990, ownership moving to MRS 4000 Investments Ltd., Vancouver, BC 21Apr1994 and Hawkair Aviation Services Ltd., Terrace, BC 1Aug1994. Finally, the starboard undercarriage failed on landing Bronson Creek, BC, 24Apr97 and the aircraft ran off the runway in to a ditch being damaged beyond repair. Registration of C-FTPA was cancelled May97. ZK-CLT at the Auckland Airport Opening 30Jan1966 At Wigram as NZ5913 ZK-CLT at Honolulu on the delivery flight to Canada October 1989 Freighter Mk.31M c/n 13156 followed a similar path, being built as G-18-148 in December 1953 and going to Pakistan as S4403. Sold abroad in Sep65, it became ZK-CLU 1Jul1966 with Straits Air Freight Express Ltd., arriving in New Zealand on 1Jun1966 and entering service on 3May1967 as Merchant Buccaneer. Transferred to Safe-Air Ltd. on 31Oct1967, it finished commercial service on 30Sep1986 having flown 21314.03hrs. ZK-CLU took its last flight when it was flown Woodbourne-Whakapuaka sandflats 20Nov86 for preservation at Nelson Founders Museum where it resides today. Registration of ZK-CLU was cancelled on 4Dec1986. ZK-CLU loading at Mangere 15Apr1968 
Parked at Woodbourne on a wet day 22Jul1979 ZK-CLU at Nelson Founders Museum 4Jan2010   The next Freighter for Straits Air Freight Express, a Mk.31E, came from a different source. c/n 13126 had been built by Bristol as G-AMRR and was flown to Spain as EC-WHI where it became EC-AHI of Iberia in March 1953. Sold some years later to Aviation Traders Ltd., Southend, it again became G-AMRR on 28Jan1965 and was bought by SAFE the following September. Registered as ZK-CPT on 2May1966 it arrived at Woodbourne on the 25th May and entered service on 18th July as Merchant Courier. Transfered into the ownership of Safe-Air Ltd. 31Oct1967, ZK-CPT finished service 7Feb1986 and the registration was cancelled 28Apr1986. This was not the end for ZK-CPT, as it was flown Woodbourne-Omaka on 15Jun86 for preservation by the Marlborough Aero Club, in whose name the aircraft was again registered 22Oct1987. This was cancelled 5May1991 and the Bristol remained static for some years. Later efforts by volunteers have enabled ZK-CPT to undertake ground movements at Omaka. ZK-CPT at Mangere 18Nov1967  Resting at Woodbourne 23Jul1979 At Rongotai 1983 Static at Omaka 1998 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 20, 2010 22:28:42 GMT 12
What is the story behind the Bolingbroke swap deal, and then the RNZAF Musuem losing the Freighter again? When it sold to Canada, did the RNZAF get the money? Or did the cash go to SAFE?
That would have been marvellous to see a Blenheim in the Air Force Museum, what a shame it never happened. I note that this was one of (if not the only) complete Freighters sitting at Woodbourne when I lived there).
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Post by agile on Oct 21, 2010 7:29:30 GMT 12
On 21Apr1989 MRS 4000 Investments Ltd., Vancouver, BC became the owners, and the Bristol was flow back to the UK on 16Sep1994 where it was engaged in display flying until control was lost on take-off at Enstone on 18Jul1996. The resultant damage was terminal and the airframe scrapped. In one of those curious coincidences, a recent thread on the flypast forum mentions the mortal remains of G-BISU/ZK-EPH, the bulk of which appear to still reside at Enstone. forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=104185Like Dave, I remember three Freighters at Ardmore in the early '90s, I presume they were EPC, EPG, and perhaps EPE in its final days. Great thread Peter! |
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Post by classicman on Oct 21, 2010 15:57:46 GMT 12
Great thread - thanks so much. One of my early memories was seeing Freighters flying through Waikato skies, and my father in law went to Vietnam in one!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 27, 2010 21:42:11 GMT 12
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.31E ZK-CPU followed a similar path to ZK-CPT. Built at Filton as c/n 13125 and allotted the registration G-AMRP it was ferried to Spain as EC-WHH in March 1953 to become EC-AHH with Iberia. Returning to the UK in January 1965 it became G-41-1-66 under Aviation Traders Ltd. ownership at Southend and was bought by SAFE in September 1965. Registered ZK-CPU on 8Jul1966, it entered service on the 23rd as Merchant Freighter. Ownership changed to Safe-Air Ltd. 31Oct1967. ZK-CPU was parked at Rongtai during the Wahine tropical cyclone on 10Apr68. Despite being tied down, the Bristol was lifted from its restraints and landed on both wingtips. The airframe was an insurance write-off, and was scrapped at Rongotai after some time as a fire training hulk. Registration cancelled 31May1968. ZK-CPU at Mangere 2Mar1968 Derelict at Rongotai 4Jun1968 ZK-CQD was another ex-Spanish Freighter Mk.31E. Built as c/n 13075 G-AMLM it was flown to Spain as EC-WHN in December 1952 to become EC-AHN with Aviacion y Comercio. Sold on 18Jan1965 to Aviation Traders Ltd., Southend it became G-41-2-66 for demonstration purposes until sold to SAFE in October 1966. Registered as ZK-CQD on 31Oct1966, it arrived on November 14th and entered service on 31Dec1966 as Merchant Ambassador. On 31Oct1967 ownership was changed to Safe-Air Ltd. ZK-CQD was also damaged in the storm at Rongotai 10Apr68 and the registration was cancelled on 31May68. However, the aircraft was repaired and operated until its last flight on7Aug78 when it was at WFU Woodbourne @ 22008hrs. Registration cancelled 9Jul1981. ZK-CQD at Mangere 11Nov1967  SAFE turned again to Pakistan for more aircraft. Freighter Mk.31E c/n 13159 had started life as G-18-151 on 30Jan1954 with the Bristol Aeroplane Co., departing immediately for service with the Pakistan Air Force as a Mk.31M-VIP Transport serialled S4406. Sold directly to SAFE on 1966, it arrived in New Zealand on 6Jun1966 and became ZK-CRK with Straits Air Freight Express Ltd. on 6Jul1966 entering service on 13Dec1966. Named Merchant Wayfarer, this Freighter also retained its fuselage windows as it saw service fitted with the passenger capsule for flights to the Chatham Islands from 1968. Ownership changed to Safe-Air Ltd. 31Oct1966, and at some point its name changed to Merchant Islander to reflect the Chathams connection. The last flight of ZK-CRK took place on 3Jan86. WFU @ 18399.09hrs. Sold for scrap at Woodbourne, cockpit section on display at Ferrymead Museum, Christchurch. ZK-CRK parked at Rongotai 14Jun1968 At Woodbourne in January 1981 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 27, 2010 21:48:19 GMT 12
ZK-CPU doesn't look too badly damaged in that derelict photo. Why was it not repairable? Was the spar damaged or something?
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Post by baz62 on Oct 28, 2010 14:30:09 GMT 12
If you look closely at the end of the starboard wing (EDIT: as does the port one I notice!!) it has a pronounced upward slant at the tip so possibly considered uneconomic to repair. And they most likely had enough spare aircraft either flying or in storage to take over.
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Post by beagle on Oct 28, 2010 16:03:09 GMT 12
When I was at Woodbourne from 84 to 87 I did a night trip as a fare paying pax across to wellington one night. cost me $12 from memory and very nice, sitting up the back by myself.
Don't think there were many seats and poor lighting. The heater was a water pipe I think.
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Post by hairy on Oct 28, 2010 21:39:25 GMT 12
Thanks for all of the interesting information Peter, your latest post on ZK-CPU has let me identify the the Freighter in the process of being cut-up in the photo below (photographer unknown).   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 28, 2010 22:05:56 GMT 12
Gee, that would have made a cracking bedroom for the Doctor's kids (see the Bandeirante thread).
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Post by shorty on Oct 29, 2010 12:00:30 GMT 12
ZK-CPU doesn't look too badly damaged in that derelict photo. Why was it not repairable? Was the spar damaged or something? Could also depend on where abouts in their cycle major lifed items were. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 31, 2010 9:35:45 GMT 12
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.31E c/n 13160 was allotted the temporary registration G-18-152 during manufacture and was delivered directly to the Pakistan Air Force in early 1954 as S4407 a Mk.31M-VIP Transport. Sold directly to SAFE 3Oct1966, S4407 arrived in New Zealand on 24Oct1966 and was allotted the registration ZK-CRL on the same day. Although the name Merchant Porter was allotted, the aircraft was stored at Woodbourne and as far as I know never entered service in New Zealand, being used as a spares source. Ownership was changed to Safe-Air Ltd. on 31Oct1967 and the registration was eventually cancelled on 27Apr1983 when the final remains of this aircraft were broken up. ZK-CRL still painted as S4407 stored at Woodbourne (Glen Reid photo) Freighter c/n 13170 followed a similar path, becoming Pakistan Air Force S4421 in September 1954 and then sold to SAFE and arriving on 13Aug1966. Registered as ZK-CRM 9Aug1966, this aircraft did undergo refurbishment with wings off ZK-BMA and centre-section from ZK-AYG before entering line service 16Aug1967 as Merchant Herald. An ownership change to Safe-Air Ltd. took place 30Oct1967, and ZK-CRM performed its last flight 4May84. WFU Woodbourne @ 18801.22hrs, the mainplanes and centre-section were removed and used on ZK-CLU. Registration of ZK-CRM cancelled 5Jul1984. ZK-CRM at Mangere 19Oct1968 G-18-171 c/n 13179 was yet another Freighter for the Pakistan Air Force where it served as S4416 from September 1954 until undergoing a transfer to the Pakistan Government in July 1961 as AP-AMN. This was in preparation for a sale to Ansett-ANA , Melbourne where it became VH-BFA from 10Oct1961. Ownership changed to Ansett-MAL Pty. on 22May1964, and the aircraft was sold to Straits Air Freight Express in 1967 with the Australian registration cancelled 30Oct1967. Registration ZK-CVK was allotted to this Freighter on 3Nov1967 and it was delivered on the 21st. As with ZK-CRL, this aircraft was only used by SAFE as a spares source, with many of its parts going into a rebuild of ZK-CVY. The registration ZK-CVK was cancelled 5Apr1972. ZK-CVK as VH-BFA of Ansett at Essendon 26Sep1963 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 31, 2010 14:24:42 GMT 12
Would the ex-Pakistani aircraft like the one seen above (excellent photo by the way) have seen service in the border war between India and Pakistan? Were they genuine warbirds?
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