Bristol demonstrator, probably taken at Bahrain, possibly Sharjah. Still has the long list of airports on the nose that it visited during the sales tour through North and South America this aircraft undertook from Aug 1946 until Jan 1947. It then remained in the Americas for another year, before finally returning to the UK in March 1948. It was leased to Silver City Airways in July 1948, and this photo was almost certainly taken between those two dates.

DND photo. This photo is showing the Bristol demonstrator during the early stages of a very long North & South America sales tour. On the nose is the legend of airports visited so far. The tour started in Canada in August 1946, and ended in January 1947.

The Bristol 170 demonstrator during the early stages of a very long North & South America sales tour. On the nose is the legend of airports visited so far. On the nose is the list of airports visited so far. The tour started in Canada in August 1946, and ended in January 1947. This aircraft was damaged beyond repair on landing at Ronaldsway, Isle of Man, on June 30, 1962. Photo from: Canada Science and Technology Museum

The first factory-owned Freighter demonstrator was sent on a tour through North and South America, from August 1946 until January 1947. It was the longest sales tour ever undertaken by a British-built aircraft up to that time. We're told the car is an Austin - with left-hand steering. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

The third prototype Bristol 170 converted to Srs 21 standard for Silver City. Operating a freight charter from Ringway during the 1955 UK National rail strike. Two Flying Tiger Line Douglas DC-4s in the background.