Warbird Information Exchange

Some funny but true stories about the Bristol Freighter Mk31 aka old frightener.

One concerns an RNZAF Freighter visiting Tan Son Nhut during the Vietnam war. An American air traffic controller comes up on radio asking, "What type of aircraft is that, sir?". The New Zeland pilotanswers proudly, "This is a Bristol Freighter Mk31." To which the yank replies, "D'ya build it yourself?"

The Pakistan Air Force had them too. They complained to the manufacturer that the wings were falling off. An expert from Bristol came out to check the problem. He asked when this problem happened, and was told during a standard spin recovery. That sort of voided the warranty. The Pakis thought - it's an aeroplane, you have to practise spinning and recoveries.