Why does no one want the Beverley?

[uxb99]

Blackburn Beverley: Iconic aircraft, last survivor of its type, in danger of being scrapped | Yorkshire Post (https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/blackburn-beverley-iconic-aircraft-last-survivor-of-its-type-in-danger-of-being-scrapped-3654924)

[Cornish Jack]

Being treated in retirement much as it was in service ! ... bottom of the heap until it was needed for jobs which nothing else would do. Unique in many ways and fondly remembered. Still have the Guiness Bev/toucan tie from the Park Royal 'adoption' :ok:

[GeeRam]

Wiseman still up to his con tricks then.....

The fate of the Bev was sealed as soon as this chancer bought it.

[DHfan]

I'd never heard of Wiseman but I suspect its fate was sealed when it left Beverley for Fort Paull. Even without the closure, on the banks of an estuary was never going to be practical long-term.

There was a suggestion that it could have gone straight to Elvington from Beverley but whether it was wishful thinking or a serious option I don't remember now,

[NutLoose]

The first thing he did was to try and flog the engine's hoping to get the Sea Fury fraternity interested.

[NRU74]

GeeRam
Could you give a bit more info please ?
(asking for a friend who's going to the Beverley Assn Reunion in Sept)

[uxb99]

Really sad. Have fond memories of the Beverley at Hendon (a very nice gate guard for Hendon imho) and not so fond memories watching a JCB hack it to pieces.
I've always like the interwar props especially the chunky Bev. Shame it couldn't find a home somewhere like Middle Wallop,
Seems to be suffering the same fate as our sorry Shackleton Gibraltar fleet.

[Krystal n chips]

It might be scant consolation, but, it seems the Shack is moving from Coventry to Elvington ...now that will be an interesting transportation job, apparently it can't be flown out, even more so when it's currently restored to engine running condition and presumably the intent is to continue.

Sorry about the drift from the Bev, but I felt the news does have a relevance

[uxb99]

It might be scant consolation, but, it seems the Shack is moving from Coventry to Elvington ...now that will be an interesting transportation job, apparently it can't be flown out, even more so when it's currently restored to engine running condition and presumably the intent is to continue.

Sorry about the drift from the Bev, but I felt the news does have a relevance
Is it positive that it will be made airworthy? Shak and Lanc flypast :-)

[sandringham1]

The Beverley should be found a home at Farnborough, it spent most of its flying life there with the RAE.
I too witnessed the Hendon one being broken up and the sections that I was able to view close up were in really good condition despite the RAFM stating that its poor condition was why it was being disposed of.

[common toad]

Wiseman still up to his con tricks then.....

The fate of the Bev was sealed as soon as this chancer bought it.

Indeed! He planned to sell off the engines and turn the a/c into a a holiday rental. Preservation was never upper most in his plans. What has become of the money he raised on his website?

https://www.blackburnbeverley.co.uk

[KING6024]

Whilst I obviously remember the Beverley at Hendon I can remember them flying at Abingdon in about 1957/8.I was there on a CCF trip and flew in a Anson but can vaguely them on Parachute training ,I think Hastings were also in use.I had forgotten about that Abingdon trip until this article reminded me.
Colin.

[VX275]

Really sad. Have fond memories of the Beverley at Hendon (a very nice gate guard for Hendon imho) and not so fond memories watching a JCB hack it to pieces.
I've always like the interwar props especially the chunky Bev. Shame it couldn't find a home somewhere like Middle Wallop,
Seems to be suffering the same fate as our sorry Shackleton Gibraltar fleet.

What connection does the Bev have with Middle Wallop or the AAC? Better would be the Boscombe Down collection at Old Sarum, the A&AEE operated the (last) Beverley and JATE carried out trials with the Beverley out of Old Sarum.
However, I'm sure the costs of moving the thing from Yorkshire to Wallop or Old Sarum would be beyond the abilities of either museum.

[Richard Woods]

It might be scant consolation, but, it seems the Shack is moving from Coventry to Elvington ...now that will be an interesting transportation job, apparently it can't be flown out, even more so when it's currently restored to engine running condition and presumably the intent is to continue.

Sorry about the drift from the Bev, but I felt the news does have a relevance

There does seem to be a little bit of parallel lines between the Bev and our Shackleton.

We'd have loved to fly her out, and I'd love to say she'd make it. Even now, she'll make take off power. But to stay up there for an extended flight? Well, the money spent making sure she would do it- safely - would eclipse the cost for a road move, so we had to conclude that was the more sensible option.

After running her up earlier, my heart's still telling me I ought to reconsider. But a clear head and the chequebook rule.

Sorry chaps...

[Krystal n chips]

There does seem to be a little bit of parallel lines between the Bev and our Shackleton.

We'd have loved to fly her out, and I'd love to say she'd make it. Even now, she'll make take off power. But to stay up there for an extended flight? Well, the money spent making sure she would do it- safely - would eclipse the cost for a road move, so we had to conclude that was the more sensible option.

After running her up earlier, my heart's still telling me I ought to reconsider. But a clear head and the chequebook rule.

Sorry chaps...

Thanks for that response and clarification. I found out about the move when a friend commented on FB.

From an engineering perspective alone, aside from the logistical planning, dismantling then re-assembling the Shack, will make for some complex operations. Are you planning on recording the whole process please because I feel it would make for an interesting documentary. Even more so when she is run again after the move if this is the intent.

[chevvron]

Whatever happened to the Shackleton at Strathallan?
It was an ex RAE T4; I remember the same crew which flew the Beverley to Paull also flew that, having practiced short landings (with much smoking from the brakes) beforehand after the previous delivery, a Comet 2 from Boscombe, 'lost' its undercarriage on landing.

[treadigraph]

Strathallan's Shackleton was scrapped I believe.

[Richard Woods]

You are correct, it was. The nose survives though and has been resident with us at Coventry since 2012.

[Haraka]

The story was that when the T4 arrived at Strathallan , the fuel in the tanks was worth more than what it had been sold for.

[DaveReidUK]

Is it positive that it will be made airworthy? Shak and Lanc flypast :-)

I wouldn't hold your breath. I doubt it will ever fly again.

[uxb99]

The story was that when the T4 arrived at Strathallan , the fuel in the tanks was worth more than what it had been sold for.
I'm not sure what they are worth now but that (used to be) true for a lot of large Warbirds. I remember reading in the 70's B17's going for around 40k. When you work out a B17 can burn that in just a few flights it's not the purchase price that's the issue.
It's all the other stuff.

[uxb99]

I wouldn't hold your breath. I doubt it will ever fly again.
Nope. Don't think I'll see one again my lifetime. The South African one was our last hope.

[WB627]

Hot off the (York) Press....

A RARE Cold War aircraft, “a distant cousin to the Lancaster bomber”, is due to arrive at a North Yorkshire Museum.

Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, has secured the Avro Shackleton MR2 RAF aircraft, which was built to search for Russian submarines in the Cold War, as well as helping in search and rescue operations.

The aircraft, also known as Ermintrude WR963, was preserved by the Shackleton Aviation Group at Coventry Airport for 31 years, but the redevelopment of the airport means the plane had to look for a new home.

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/20354850.rare-cold-war-aircraft-due-arrive-yorkshire-air-museum/

The Lancaster was built in major components that could be taken apart for easy recovery after a crash. They would be transported on Queen Mary Trailers to a repair centre where they would be repaired or reduced to useful parts. There is a Queen Mary Trailer and Bedford OX Tractor Unit at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x350/1734413_orig_bdf19affa890fc848749914dc970fa99d863c026.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/594x383/3397804_orig_8893676c2fe5e273c008305b09e055cb42583af0.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/638x298/wellingtonqueenmary_orig_8bf2415674c1ff937a2ffa9a64ac6ed0263 74888.jpg

[VX275]

The reason why the Lancaster and the Shackleton broke down into easily roadable chunks is more to do with the fact that they were built on the other side of Manchester and it made it easier to transport them to AVRO's airfield at Woodford where they were assembled and test flown. Incidentally the Shackleton that used to be on display in the science museum in central Manchester recently made a very similar trip into storage on what used to be the airfield at Woodford.

[uxb99]

Hot off the (York) Press....

A RARE Cold War aircraft, “a distant cousin to the Lancaster bomber”, is due to arrive at a North Yorkshire Museum.

Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, has secured the Avro Shackleton MR2 RAF aircraft, which was built to search for Russian submarines in the Cold War, as well as helping in search and rescue operations.

The aircraft, also known as Ermintrude WR963, was preserved by the Shackleton Aviation Group at Coventry Airport for 31 years, but the redevelopment of the airport means the plane had to look for a new home.

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/20354850.rare-cold-war-aircraft-due-arrive-yorkshire-air-museum/

The Lancaster was built in major components that could be taken apart for easy recovery after a crash. They would be transported on Queen Mary Trailers to a repair centre where they would be repaired or reduced to useful parts. There is a Queen Mary Trailer and Bedford OX Tractor Unit at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x350/1734413_orig_bdf19affa890fc848749914dc970fa99d863c026.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/594x383/3397804_orig_8893676c2fe5e273c008305b09e055cb42583af0.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/638x298/wellingtonqueenmary_orig_8bf2415674c1ff937a2ffa9a64ac6ed0263 74888.jpg
What is the unit pulling the trailer?

[India Four Two]

Commer Q2


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x337/raf_1_01202685c9e1c7f7010f8f0e88e24a5415e66eea.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/619x800/royal_air_force_operations_in_the_middle_east_and_north_afri ca_1939_1943_cm2230_093bf7bfc5df0a87917fe6246f46cf9b59939962 .jpg

[briani]

Very sad - I remember many years ago visiting an office in Hendon (Sunny Gardens Parade) when a Beverly roared overhead on finals to the the closed Airfield. I wondered what had become of the aircraft which I assumed was destined for the Museum.

[kenparry]

Ref post #23: the tractor unit in that photo (towing the Lancaster nose section) is a Bedford product, though I don't know the model.

[DHfan]

Bedford OXC seems most likely.

[oldpax]

While America reveres itshistoric aircraft the UK cannot spare a dime to preserve.Other than the BBMF which is sacrosanct !

[Warmtoast]

I was stationed at Abingdon in 1959 and took these photos there:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/image1_e40bdf4fbe91ba5b11aaac58a5db6affc6084864.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/image2_e4f9577edc5d6c3b211d0ce24e78e1253cd6b438.jpg

[Herod]

While America reveres itshistoric aircraft the UK cannot spare a dime to preserve.Other than the BBMF which is sacrosanct !

Imperial War Museum Duxford, RAF Museum London, RAF Museum Midlands. And that's just the official ones.

[DHfan]

I was ignoring the dumb comment.

I'd be surprised if there was a hangar in the heritage sector a Beverley would even fit in at 162 ft span and nearly 40 ft high.
Like it or not, whoever, if anybody, gets involved, the outlook can't be promising.

[uxb99]

Commer Q2


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x337/raf_1_01202685c9e1c7f7010f8f0e88e24a5415e66eea.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/619x800/royal_air_force_operations_in_the_middle_east_and_north_afri ca_1939_1943_cm2230_093bf7bfc5df0a87917fe6246f46cf9b59939962 .jpg
Nice pictures, thanks for posting. Wonder if anyone does a model in 1/72?

[Self loading bear]

Airfix did it

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/650x301/26b60da1_1285_44d1_87cd_021e98fb1f7c_35099daef6edee988af5cfc c8cfea664d7d7f7aa.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x590/1f6e3cc5_18a4_4a63_a44d_4233dd8511c5_747afc2a4b00f6ec89c3ff4 9b668a15116f800b0.jpeg

[GeeRam]

Airfix did it

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/650x301/26b60da1_1285_44d1_87cd_021e98fb1f7c_35099daef6edee988af5cfc c8cfea664d7d7f7aa.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x590/1f6e3cc5_18a4_4a63_a44d_4233dd8511c5_747afc2a4b00f6ec89c3ff4 9b668a15116f800b0.jpeg

That's the Bedford OXC unit though, not the Commer Q2 unit.

[KING6024]

I can remember my late Father in Law talking about driving Queen Mary's at some stage during the war mostly picking up wrecks.I think he was based at Castle Camps wherever that was.I can remember him talking about taking a chain saw to a Mosquito.Later in the war he was in Italy carry supplies to airfields.He always had a twinkle in his eye when talking about Italy.

[Self loading bear]

That's the Bedford OXC unit though, not the Commer Q2 unit.

You are of course correct.
For Commer Q2 you seem to have 2 options:
build from scratch following an airfix magazine:
Airfix DIY (https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/airfixtributeforum/1-76-commer-q2-tractor-unit-t27160.html)

edit:
or an Romanian kit:Wespe Romanian kit (https://www.wespemodels.com/military_models/military_models_scale_1_72/scale_1_72_commer)

[DHfan]

I think he was based at Castle Camps wherever that was...

Eastern Cambridgeshire, Essex border and very close to Suffolk as well.

Closed in early 1946 so largely forgotten now.

[Cornish Jack]

I was ignoring the dumb comment.

I'd be surprised if there was a hangar in the heritage sector a Beverley would even fit in at 162 ft span and nearly 40 ft high.
Like it or not, whoever, if anybody, gets involved, the outlook can't be promising.
Sort of correct. Abingdon had a new hangar (novel in building the roof then jacking it up with the walls). Dishforth solved the problem with the unique ground handling 'skates' - fitted under the mains and nose gear, raising the nose to lower the tail and allowing the tilted aircraft to be moved sideways into the 'old style' hangar.

[chevvron]

As far as I'm aware, the Beverley Hangar at Abingdon still exists.

[DHfan]

As both Dishforth and Abingdon are Army sites, they're not in the heritage sector.

[chevvron]

There's also the large hangar at Ballykelly which I believe was built to house Nimrods (unless it's been demolished)

[JEM60]

Second ever flight was in a Beverley at Abingdon as an A.T.C. cadet.

[chevvron]

I flew Beverley's at Abingdon several times as a cadet.
I logged my last trip on 20 Aug 1967 in XB287 (must've been shortly before they retired); I and several other senior cadets were asked by the loadmaser to stay in the main hull ( the rest travelled in the tailboom) and as we came into our parking place, he told us to jump out and grab some of the chocks lying there to place under the wheels.
I gathered there was no parking brake.
I happened to drive past Bicester in about 1970 and sadly there were at least 3 Beverleys parked in the south east corner.
Then the week after I started working at Farnborough in March 1974, an RAE crew flew the last remaining example from Luton to Paull.

[Akrotiri bad boy]

Talking about the last Beverley movement, what about the Court Line Beverley? Did it get to their Luton base and what happened to it after the airline's collapse?

Akro

[Liffy 1M]

Talking about the last Beverley movement, what about the Court Line Beverley? Did it get to their Luton base and what happened to it after the airline's collapse?

Akro
That's the same aircraft referred to in Chevvron's post above and indeed the one that's the subject of this thread. The Beverley Association: Beverley XB259 (http://www.beverley-association.org.uk/html/259/259.htm)

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Purchased on a Whim ? Very much on the ground with Court Line at Luton.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x646/screenshot_2022_08_03_at_11_57_36_blackburn_beverley_c_1_xb2 59_899ce298e5f2e0ac1d95fef53ef3d6740ba012bf.png
Photo - Carl Ford.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/623x419/screenshot_2022_08_03_at_11_55_23_airliner_rarities_d7c5fb8a 053bcb9a1691b21a7d71a334b68baf88.png
Photo- Graham Alexander.

[uxb99]

Purchased on a Whim ? Very much on the ground with Court Line at Luton.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x646/screenshot_2022_08_03_at_11_57_36_blackburn_beverley_c_1_xb2 59_899ce298e5f2e0ac1d95fef53ef3d6740ba012bf.png
Photo - Carl Ford.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/623x419/screenshot_2022_08_03_at_11_55_23_airliner_rarities_d7c5fb8a 053bcb9a1691b21a7d71a334b68baf88.png
Photo- Graham Alexander.
Does anyone know if it's possible to view to grab some photo's?

[walbut]

I was at Paull airfield on 23rd March 1974 to see the last flying Beverley delivered to what was then Hull Aero Club with the intention of it becoming an accessory to their clubhouse. One of the final radio calls from the aircrew just after landing was ' We have just delivered your pub' Attached are a few photos including the last dying gasps of the Bristol Centaurus engines..
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1389/bev1_60a369082d20aa97a65d5e0a78e372dee0aa0757.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1361/bev3_272e71759a2d13f2546bbc11486d1f1c6d02c019.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1325/bev4_9fee13e212c5b3b123de3d3ffbcbef6ca4e67032.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1316/bev6_b3a9c292bb885b76a9650919b9147dec72680eb0.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1342/bev7_e184e4f0bf0b2c2cc58ea5fb9f1c258dda8d7106.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1370/bev20_99cec675f15f6d03a3c182719ddc1fbb67011125.jpg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Super pictures walbut- Paull a very small field if I remember rightly - flew into there once in the early 70s on a jolly with the Air Anglia C206 picking up News Film for Anglia TV.

[treadigraph]

Brilliant! Oh how I wish...

[diginagain]

' We have just delivered your pub'

HAC had hoped to find sponsorship from Hull Brewery for their new facility.

[Cornish Jack]

Super pics ! :D
Nearly a decade after my last Bev working trip, I went to the Shawbury scrap pile and hand-sawed a couple of landing light motors out ot wing remains to use for an instructional project on helos - sort of cross fertilisation, I suppose ! Still fond memories ...and poor hearing !

[Fargo Boyle]

Really nice pictures, thanks. Apologies if already explained but what is the purpose of the wire(?) assembly at the back of the loading door?

[DaveReidUK]

Really nice pictures, thanks. Apologies if already explained but what is the purpose of the wire(?) assembly at the back of the loading door?

Most Beverley photos on the Net don't feature the ironwork, so it was clearly fitted/removed as and when required.

I would hazard a guess that it served some function when paras were exiting from the two side doors (as opposed to jumping from the hatch in the boom).

Confirmation (or otherwise) welcomed.

[treadigraph]

Apparently it was used for parachute supply dropping tests and also to test braking 'chutes - something to do with that perhaps...

Love to have it but as my garden is 60' x 12' I suspect the neighbours might object... Actually, I think it's bigger than my house...

[DaveReidUK]

Apparently it was used for parachute supply dropping tests and also to test braking 'chutes - something to do with that perhaps...

Yes, some of the photos on the Net show the Beverley configured for dropping pallets, etc. The giant clamshell doors couldn't be opened in flight, so they were simply removed for such missions and the aircraft flew with the back end open.

[Haraka]

I saw XB259 land with its brakes on at Farnborough in early 1969. (IIRC)
From then on it sat outside Western Squadron , flying a Union Jack , for years before moving on eventually.
Despite what some may think, the Hendon Beverley was a problem from day one.
It did not belong to the RAFM and was an unfunded orphan .
Internal corrosion was a serious issue.,indeed the RAFM Keeper, Jack Bruce, expressed his grave concerns about it to me at the time
"We will be held responsible for its condition, although we have little control over it. My nightmare is something like an engine breaking off one day, falling and killing a visitor"
It was a difficulr decision to scrap it , not least by those intimately involved in the problem, who would have wished otherwise..

[NutLoose]

As they will pay for delivery you would think somewhere like Wroughton or the RAF historical store at Stafford would be the place so it could be stored disassembled inside to preserve it for the future

[Cornish Jack]

The 'metalwork' on the back end of the freight bay was fitted post '58 - (when I left). The Bev's 'wake' was quite powerful and, when operating load drops, the freight bay 'clam-shells' were removed and 'elephant ears' were fitted to prevent wake interference. They were originally designed to deal with the problem of para dropping from the boom with the clam shells removed. ... the initial test drops (with dummies) resulted in the dummies being 'diverted' into the freight bay, instead of dropping clear !!
As a one-time 'meat bomb' despatcher, I wouldn't be happy having that sort of metalwork to the rear of the freight bay side doors, so Treadders may be close to the mark.
Generally speaking, our 'meat bomb customers reckoned that the boom floor exit gave the smoothest exit of any.
On a sadder note, that boom exit door cost the life of our co-pilot on an intended early morning departure from K'sar - RIP

[chevvron]

On one of my cadet's Beverly flights, several of the cadets climbed up the side into the tailboom.
One cadet saw a hatch in the floor and operated the handle and immediately the hatch started opening so several other cadets (not me, I was still downstairs) leapt on it and managed to shut it again.!

[DaveReidUK]

The 'metalwork' on the back end of the freight bay was fitted post '58 - (when I left). The Bev's 'wake' was quite powerful and, when operating load drops, the freight bay 'clam-shells' were removed and 'elephant ears' were fitted to prevent wake interference.

That explanation would make sense, were it not for the fact that the ironwork was attached to the clamshell doors and so was not present with the doors removed.

The "elephant ears", on the other hand, were attached to the fuselage structure:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/773x569/beverley_without_clamshell_doors_e38f8e6de1e8cc3d49f9a6b65f3 ddb934707ef36.jpg


but that's not what Fargo Boyle was asking about.

Blackburn Beverley C1, XB259 / 1002, Ministry of Defence : ABPic (https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1038824)

[pr00ne]

As both Dishforth and Abingdon are Army sites, they're not in the heritage sector.

And both up for eventual disposal as the Army is vacating them.

[walbut]

Since the first few photos seemed quite popular here are a few more of XB259's arrival at Hull Aero Club's airfield at Paull in what was then North Humberside. It was backed off the runway using reverse thrust from the engines but a large tow truck was needed to manoeuvre it into what was thought at the time would be its final resting place.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1361/bev9_ceae6cf089ef1e5016f4263d60eaaf69a1519d34.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1258/bev10_ace96a91dc1d54952351f34251cf01405bd72860.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1307/bev11_009bdcedfc3e7830bd1558380c10ba87a3fcc230.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1399/bev12_f7838656a6a47b96ad82a60a434ea1357d960c36.jpg

[NRU74]

Did XB259 always have the large props ? I seem to remember that one of the Beverleys -possibly the Farnborough one- had smaller props similar to a Brit's props.

[76fan]

"It was backed off the runway using reverse thrust" ...... thanks for that walbut.

I was another ATC cadet who had a flight in a Beverley (probably at Abingdon) in the 1950's but all I can remember is that we seemed to be very high up in that tailboom, we did lots of "circuits and bumps", and that I was amazed when the aircraft taxied backwards a few yards under its own power. I was beginning to think that I had imagined that last bit, so thank you for confirming I haven't completely "lost it" yet.

[Cornish Jack]

Dave Reid - we seem to be at cross-purposes ... my poor description, i suspect !
The items which Fargo Boyle was querying were not a fitment during my time on the fleet., so i would have to guess at their purpose. Dispatching from the side doors, as with any aircraft required minimum obstructions to the rear, and I would have thought that those items were such. The 'elephanls' ears', however, were a regular standard fit for heavy drops during my time.
76 fan's reference to Bev reversing, triggers the entry-into-service 'hiccup' with that function. Some of Dishforth's dispersal pans sloped downwards to the rear and an attempt was made to park using reverse. The Bev being primarily electrically 'controlled' had a set of 'prop interruptor' switches on the flight deck coaming (a part of the prop de-icing system) These switches had to be appropriately selected when the WOW switches were made, in order to allow deselection of reverse thrust. As you may have guessed,... they weren't - and having started a downhill reverse, the only means of halting was the brakes, with the result of an underside tailstrike and a very nose-high recovery !! Lessons were learned and the 'after landers' appropriately amended !!

[Fargo Boyle]

Thanks all for your interesting and informative answers. Is the metalwork still attached to the aeroplane, or is the whole thing even still in one piece apart from the engines? Sad to say I would be surprised to see anything more than another cockpit section remaining in a couple of years...

[goofer3]

Blackburn Aircraft, printed 1961.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/700x555/scan320_700_d5fd2dab4bf0ced08d3e7bcdd504eb7ec039024c.jpg

[Krystal n chips]

Found this by accident ....it appears getting out in a hurry was the exact opposite ! . I like the bit where they happily climb up the internal structure looking like wall bars in a gym to get to the upper deck


Blackburn Beverley Evacuation Procedure, 1950s - Film 98361 - YouTube

[Cornish Jack]

K'n C - very nostalgia inducing !
The troops loading into the boom via the freight bay was unusual - the normal method was to use a wheeled boom loading ladder hooked onto the boom floor hatch opening.

[Cornish Jack]

K'n C's clip tempted me to search for other such. Among quite a few, there was one from 'Torces News' (whoever they are) on the auction of the Paull relic. The commentary spoke of a 'soldier fatality' through the boom hatch. It wasn't a soldier - it was our co-pilot doing an 0400 preflight in K'sar when the hatch was opened while he was up in the tail behind the toilets and backed out into a void. What was particularly tragic was that we had the only aircraft which hadn't been modified with floor pins connected toi the hatch to prevent such a thing happening.
It was not a good day and made worse by the attitude of the local 'brass' !! :mad:

[sycamore]

Almost 52 yrs ago(13/8/70) I was `co-opted `to fly as co-pilot in XB261,at AAEE with Capt `Jake `Wormworth,RCAF/CDF Exchange pilot on `B`Sqdn,to fly an ULLA drop on Salisbury Plain.It turned out to be the heaviest ULLA ever dropped,so I think it was well over 30K Lbs.I can`t remember whether it was multiple pallets,or one single large load.However,on `extraction` as the load moves aft,so does the C of G,and this will lead to significant pitch inputs.Not only that ,but the`drop height` has to remain constant at about 10 ft wheel height,using the radar altimeter.Now the `run-in`approach to the DZ that day was not very flat,so I was in `charge` of the engine-room,over 10k Horsepower,to maintain airspeed,and height,as Jake pushed/pulled the control column,whilst also `conned` by the Navigator in the lower-deck aimers window.We did one `dummy` run just to make sure we were all on the same `hymn-sheet`,and then the final drop,which went as planned....but it was 30 secs of `full and free` controls by Jake....Fortunately ,the Bar in the OM opened early for a few `refreshers afterwards`...

[Cornish Jack]

Correction, Correction.Correction !!!
Just found another Bev youtube clip showing freight deck side door para dropping. Never did, or saw, thia in service, so a first - and, there were the mystery attachments.
So, in total contradiction to my supposition, they were a required fit for side -door para and thinking about it, they were probably a means of preventing the static line strops from simultaneous side exits getting tangled and not being able to recover them onboard. Apologies for any confusion caused - ... it is a condition, of which, I am well aware ! :O

[Helena Handbasket]

Hi CJ. You are quite right. I have a few pictures of our 84 Sqn Bevs dropping members of 2 Para over Nanyuki in about 1965. They were definitely dispatched through the side doors.There are a couple of pics of the aircrew and one of the ALM precariously hanging on to a seat netting as he peered out through the door. The quality is not great, but if anyone is interested, I can post them.

[treadigraph]

if anyone is interested, I can post them.
Please do! :)

[WB627]

Going out the side doors

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x694/2008_06_04_11_42_19_10e87d5563fd37ff60ecc38cb00e1ceecb71f459 .jpg

Loading troops to the upper deck

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/798x800/691471f91c92224ee18b657fa46a67b2_549bbc27fd74762edbe6bb701ce 87f62143ae46a.jpg

And a nice video of them departing the same way....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Es3tXgbhsU

And another fascinating Beverly video ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5Atrg35KHE

[Helena Handbasket]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1299/img_0303_be351fef0eb85b1e05dd381059579a26727105ec.jpg
Over Nanyuki
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1299/img_0236_d81f7b2591f7cfa72e3acf42f5187b7838cd37ef.jpg
Making sure that everyone hit the ground
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1299/img_0496_a583ff1931f0054e693daf8cc5ff8edfac310b87.jpg
I think he is lost
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1299/img_0090_8e24795f7fc3201e46d806c923bbe5c99fce588b.jpg

[Cornish Jack]

Excellent pics ! :ok:
With boom mic headsets, definitely after my time !! :(
Loading via the boom ladder - in the situation as shown, no sensible captain would release brakes to start taxying ... would they ?

[Warmtoast]

When I did my AQM (ALM) course in the summer of 1959 at 242 OCU Dishforth, among the things we potential AQMs were taught was how to fill in an aircraft weight and balance trim sheet: Hastings (relatively simple), Britannia (relatively simple) because they only included fore and aft trimming, but the dreaded Beverley trim-sheet introduced a new complexity into the skills required to fill in the form as it introduced the need to include vertical loads into the equation as well as fore and aft weights. ISTR the whole AQM course suffered as it took ages to master the bloody thing! Sample below.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1154x1500/beverley_trim_sheet_front__35770785e842dbc8832ce94ddc25de449 45a6f80.jpg
Beverley Trim Sheet 1959

[Cornish Jack]

The caption to the pic of the Nav at work, above, is quite wrong ... Bev navigators had an easy life, they were never 'lost' - just 'temporarily uncertain of their position' ... then, they just had to follow the oil drip stains from previous Bev flights

[Null Orifice]

No pictures of the three-engined oil slick on approach then? :}

[treadigraph]

Nice pics guys, thanks. :ok:

If you can get hold of a copy of "No Time on the Ground" by the late Ken FitzRoy, he included a chapter about his time on Beverleys!

[ancientaviator62]

sycamore,
your Beverley ULLA story reminds me of my Hercules Ulla drops when I was on JATE. Our max platform weight was 14000lbs but we could drop up to three on a single pass. Does anyone have any Beverley ULLA pics ?

[Krystal n chips]

found when mooching around YT....love the dispatcher, still wearing his beret as the meat bombs depart....and the reference to the, ahem, " gentlemen of the infantry" ....dropping from the boom looks "interesting "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1nzp8R0X6A

[megan]

the dreaded Beverley trim-sheet introduced a new complexity into the skills required to fill in the form as it introduced the need to include vertical loads into the equation as wellWhat limitations did that impose? I note on the Super Guppy they have/had a bank angle limitation depending on where the vertical CoG fell.

[BEagle]

Thanks for that Look At Life link!

An era when RAF Abingdon was a busy, thriving station.

[Krystal n chips]

Thanks for that Look At Life link!

An era when RAF Abingdon was a busy, thriving station.

It wasn't as active when I was there, but still busy (ish)....always like the quaint sign, now long gone I believe, on the road from the town " To the aerodrome "

However, I'm intrigued to learn you actually saw the link because when I posted it, it duly appeared, but, subsequently has vanished.

[spekesoftly]

However, I'm intrigued to learn you actually saw the link because when I posted it, it duly appeared, but, subsequently has vanished.

It's an ongoing problem for some, if not all posters, that has been reported to the moderators. It happened to the last link that I posted. If I click on 'Go Advanced' under the 'Quick Reply' box, the link can be seen!

[Cornish Jack]

Odd mix of nostalgia there
Did the para training and the balloon jump at WotG when we did the dispatcher training on Valettas in 54/5 - (actual training drops were done from Hastings). Second ops tour on the Bev, initially at Dishforth and then to 53 at Abingdon. That film training regime was slightly different from ours, in that they were using reserve 'chutes - a reassuring 'luxury' which we had to do without !!! :(

[ancientaviator62]

During my AQM course we got airbourne three times in a Beverley to do my powered a/c jump. only to go u/s every time. The PJI took pity on us and we were stood down. Jumped from an Argosy next day.

[Brewster Buffalo]

Some nostalgia for the new year..... anyone known the signifance of the black squares under the fuselage seen at 2.56?

The Remarkable Beverley

[Stratofreighter]

Fort Paul Jan 2023 Made with Clipchamp 1 - YouTube

oOS00k_6oBg Fort Paul Jan 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOS00k_6oBg)
Latest condition of XB259 Blackburn Beverley at Fort Paull ...a very recent drone video, made this January 2023.... She is not looking that well... :sad:

[chevvron]

Some nostalgia for the new year..... anyone known the signifance of the black squares under the fuselage seen at 2.56?

I think they're dayglo not black.

[Jhieminga]

A bit of news that popped up yesterday: someone wants the Beverley! Solway Aviation Museum at Carlisle are going to take on the job of transporting the beast and looking after it.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/tiny-aviation-museum-in-cumbria-comes-to-the-rescue-of-the-worlds-last-beverley-blackburn-made-in-yorkshire-4497996

https://twitter.com/SolwayAviation/status/1752690305378197918

[DogTailRed2]

Hope no one minds me posting this. Not affiliated in any way. Like all things aviation the Beverley needs money.
Crowdfunding to Enable the Solway Aviation Museum dismantle and transport the Blackburn Beverley XB259 at Fort Paull, last complete example in the World. on JustGiving (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dougie-kerr)
I gave a tenner. I think she's worth saving.

[SWBKCB]

The Solway Aviation Museum's quest to acquire a historic Blackburn Beverley XB259 aircraft is edging closer to its target. Dougie Kerr, the museum's chairman, confirms that efforts to raise the needed £60,000 have almost reached the £40,000 mark.

The museum aims to dismantle and transport the aircraft from Fort Paull, Hull to Carlisle Airport, where it will join the museum's extensive collection of heritage aircraft, which includes the Avro Vulcan XJ823.

https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24172339.solway-aviation-museum-soaring-towards-blackburn-beverley-target/

[packapoo]

I'd suspect that even it's own mother would put that baby up for adoption....

[Jhieminga]

Well... I guess that's what got us into this situation! 😆
I don't remember where it was, but someone mentioned that we haven't seen an aircraft type go 'extinct' in the UK for some 50 years... it would be a shame if that were to happen to the Beverley. They're a fair way along on raising the money needed and although having the funds does not equate to having solved the problem, the future looks slightly better for the big lumbering beast. Long may it frighten... eerrrr.... amaze visitors! ;)

[Herod]

Just out of interest, Jhieminga, if you know, what was the last one to go "extinct"? I agree with you about saving the Bev. Unique.

[Jhieminga]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that question I'm afraid... I would like to know too! Perhaps the statement is incorrect, I'm sure someone will correct and/or enlighten us...:cool:

[stevef]

Miles/HP Marathon? Last complete aircraft scrapped around 1962.

[Herod]

Thanks stevef; that would probably be the last. Any other contenders welcome.

[DH106]

Avro Tudor?
Pretty much all scrapped in the 50s/60s (those that hadn't crashed or disapeared) .

[John Sawyer]

Just out of interest, Jhieminga, if you know, what was the last one to go "extinct"? I agree with you about saving the Bev. Unique.
I was on 71MU in 1967 when the last of the Beverlys were flown in and were placed in short term storage, lead free petrol and weekly ground runs on Fridays ,just opposite AMQs !!! Rumours were that Djuiboti Airways wanted them for the pilgrim trade or Shell to transport oil rig bits ,so I think I was running them for about 3 months. I have some interesting pictures of their arrival ,partcularly of the paint schemes.

[CAEBr]

Avro Tudor?
Pretty much all scrapped in the 50s/60s (those that hadn't crashed or dissapeared) .

Almost tenuous, but the Avro Ashton centre/forward fuselage on display at Newark Air Museum (the only survivor of the six Ashtons built), was actually converted from a Tudor 8.

[sandringham1]

Not the last but close, DH 86 Express G-ACZP expired 21st September 1958 but on a positive note we do have two DH 90 Dragonflies, they were thought extinct for a while.

[DH106]

Almost tenuous, but the Avro Ashton centre/forward fuselage on display at Newark Air Museum (the only survivor of the six Ashtons built), was actually converted from a Tudor 8.

True, but in truth - it aint a Tudor! :)

[Planemike]

Not the last but close, DH 86 Express G-ACZP expired 21st September 1958 but on a positive note we do have two DH 90 Dragonflies, they were thought extinct for a while.
Four deH86 Expresses were exported to Turkey in 1937 (serial nos: 2355, 2356, 2357, 2358) All are now recorded as "Fate Unknown". It has been suggested that 2355 (TC-ERK) may have been flying as late as 1963. It seems strange to me that these medium sized civilian aircraft appear to have disappeared without much recorded trace.