Phoebus Apollo ATL98 Carvair (1:200)

Phoenix Phoebus Apollo ATL98 Carvair (1:200)

Now here is an odd plane for you. We had to do a Google search to find out more about this model. Here is the short history we found on a Carvair information website.

"Shortly after World War II the English aircraft manufacturer Bristol created the first postwar transport plane. The twin engine Bristol 170 "Freighter" could carry both passengers (upto 20) and freight (upto 3 passenger cars). In this mixed passenger / car configuration, the Freighter was used for air ferry services between England and the European continent.

The capacity of the Bristol however became insufficient. Developing a completely new aircraft specifically for the ferry service needs was economically not feasible. However in the late fifties and early sixties many airlines were replacing their piston-engined equipment by jets so there were many inexpensive second hand aircraft available. Hence the approach of modifying existing planes to carry both cars and passengers across the Channel. The Southend, England based company Aviation Traders designed the Carvair (Car-via-Air) in response to Channel Air Bridge's requirement for a Bristol Freighter replacement.

The prototype first flew on the 17th of June, 1961 and ultimately 21 Carvairs were built from 1961 until 1968. Over the years the Carvair was used mostly as a full freighter plane. Currently only three airworthy samples remain."

Source: http://www.geocities.com/anjapaul/description.htm

This particular model was used by a South African Freight Company.