Beverleys
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Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Beverlys
Hi Milt
It was R.C.A.F. Station Namao, not Base. I was there from February 1961 to May 1963.
R.H. ‘Russ’ Janzen was a test pilot with the R.C.A.F.’s Central Experimental & Proving Establishment Climatic (evolved from C.E.P.E.’s Winter Experimental Establsihment). He flew the Beverly at Namao and also at R.C.A.F. Unit Fort Churchill, Manitoba. Flight Lieutenant Karl Weinstein was the R.C.A.F. ‘s Beverly project engineer.
The Beverly was tested by C.E.P.E. at Churchill during the winters of the 1956 and 1957. Once the proper mods were in place, the aircraft could conduct ops down to a temperature of – 40 degrees.
During one flight to Uranium City, Saskatchewan, the crew had to depart with ten inches of snow on the ground. No problem! Al they did was taxi the aircraft up and down the runway until they rolled three tracks in the snow and then off they went.
I heard that the Beverly’s interior noise level exceed that of the Canadair North Star. Now that is really loud.
The F-89 Scorpions were from the USAF’s 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. They belonged to the 64th Air Division.
I have a black and white photo of the Beverly at Namao if you are interested.
Contact me at: ccharlandATcogecodotca
Cheers…Chris
It was R.C.A.F. Station Namao, not Base. I was there from February 1961 to May 1963.
R.H. ‘Russ’ Janzen was a test pilot with the R.C.A.F.’s Central Experimental & Proving Establishment Climatic (evolved from C.E.P.E.’s Winter Experimental Establsihment). He flew the Beverly at Namao and also at R.C.A.F. Unit Fort Churchill, Manitoba. Flight Lieutenant Karl Weinstein was the R.C.A.F. ‘s Beverly project engineer.
The Beverly was tested by C.E.P.E. at Churchill during the winters of the 1956 and 1957. Once the proper mods were in place, the aircraft could conduct ops down to a temperature of – 40 degrees.
During one flight to Uranium City, Saskatchewan, the crew had to depart with ten inches of snow on the ground. No problem! Al they did was taxi the aircraft up and down the runway until they rolled three tracks in the snow and then off they went.
I heard that the Beverly’s interior noise level exceed that of the Canadair North Star. Now that is really loud.
The F-89 Scorpions were from the USAF’s 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. They belonged to the 64th Air Division.
I have a black and white photo of the Beverly at Namao if you are interested.
Contact me at: ccharlandATcogecodotca
Cheers…Chris
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XB261
I have fond memories of clambering over XB261 when she was at Southend Historic Aircraft Museum.
She was ex A&AEE & probably had a harder life at the hands of the little oiks who used to spend many an hour pretending to be pilots in her. Seems amazing now that we had full access to the top deck, via the ladder. What would H&S say now?
When she finally met her end, one of her engines was, after it's removal with the aid of an oxy-acetelene torch & gravity, bought by a mechanic friend of mine as a 'rebuild to display condition, with cut-aways to show the internal workings'. When I asked him, why on earth he was taking on this slightly in-depth process, his reply was "Well, when you rebuild drag-racing engines for a living, you need a bit of a challenge, now & then to keep you interested"
RIP 261
She was ex A&AEE & probably had a harder life at the hands of the little oiks who used to spend many an hour pretending to be pilots in her. Seems amazing now that we had full access to the top deck, via the ladder. What would H&S say now?
When she finally met her end, one of her engines was, after it's removal with the aid of an oxy-acetelene torch & gravity, bought by a mechanic friend of mine as a 'rebuild to display condition, with cut-aways to show the internal workings'. When I asked him, why on earth he was taking on this slightly in-depth process, his reply was "Well, when you rebuild drag-racing engines for a living, you need a bit of a challenge, now & then to keep you interested"
RIP 261
Last edited by Scoggy; 10th Jun 2007 at 14:14. Reason: Bad at posting pictures.
Bev
As a young and keen TP at AAEE in August`70 I got the opportunity to fly as a co-pilot in XB261 on an ULLA drop on the `Plain. The captain was a Canadian exchange pilot `Jake` Wormworth and as I was always trying to cadge trips when not testing helos, I was commandered to work the `engine-room` of the `Bev`. Can`t remember the exact details, but it was one of the last and largest loads dropped/pulled out , probably about 50k lbs,as a bit of one-upmanship to the Herc, which was also on trial,probably why there were no other co-pilots around . It was necessary to drop at about 15-20 foot sill height ,about 8-10 ft wheel height, and keep that height as the load was released,and pulled out the back,transient CofG change causing a lot of stick pushing/pulling and a lot of `engine-room` telegraphing as well. After a `dummy` run to co-ordinate ourselves, it all went well, and I managed to fly the `block-of-flats from a toilet window` back to B-D.... Sadly the a/c later went to Fboro, and later ,where-ever. Syc
From Farnborough it went first to Luton for Court Line/Autair to use as an engine ferry for the RB211's on their TriStar fleet; then Court line promptly went bust! So it was ferried to Paull airfield near Hull by a Farnborough crew to become the clubhouse.
I think you are getting your Beverleys mixed up. I had it in my mind that the Southend Beverley XB261 was broken up there.
The one that went to Paull (and is the only survivor) was XB259.
The one that went to Paull (and is the only survivor) was XB259.
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JW411, back in Jan u wrote:
I will have you know that I am the proud possessor of the Firq - Saiq tie (navy blue with the Arabic number 4 in yellow circle emblazoned upon a palm tree)!
Got the same tie and only talking about it t'other day. Too slim for modern wear, but a great design. What a/c did you operate into Firq-Saiq x 4?
I will have you know that I am the proud possessor of the Firq - Saiq tie (navy blue with the Arabic number 4 in yellow circle emblazoned upon a palm tree)!
Got the same tie and only talking about it t'other day. Too slim for modern wear, but a great design. What a/c did you operate into Firq-Saiq x 4?
Last edited by 4PON4PIN; 13th Jun 2007 at 15:10.
4PON4PIN
Your "handle" suggests you were on Twin Pioneers at some time. I flew over two hundered Firq - Saiq - Firq and Saiq - Nizwa - Saiq sorties in the Twin Pin during my tour on 152 sqn in 1959/61. There was no tie in those days and the original 600m strip could be very demanding after midday due to the heat and turbulence on the approach.
Your "handle" suggests you were on Twin Pioneers at some time. I flew over two hundered Firq - Saiq - Firq and Saiq - Nizwa - Saiq sorties in the Twin Pin during my tour on 152 sqn in 1959/61. There was no tie in those days and the original 600m strip could be very demanding after midday due to the heat and turbulence on the approach.
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Beverlys
G'day
Here's some supplemental gen for you.
Beverley C. Mk. 1 - XB260
Beverley C. Mk. 1 - XB262 ‘Mayflower III’ also known as ‘The Ark’. A fire started in a covered engine stand surroundingNo. 4 engine on the 19th of February 1956 at R.C.A.F. Station Namao, Alberta. The fire damaged the engine and the propeller. The aircraft was subsequently repaired.
Cheers...Chris
Here's some supplemental gen for you.
Beverley C. Mk. 1 - XB260
Beverley C. Mk. 1 - XB262 ‘Mayflower III’ also known as ‘The Ark’. A fire started in a covered engine stand surroundingNo. 4 engine on the 19th of February 1956 at R.C.A.F. Station Namao, Alberta. The fire damaged the engine and the propeller. The aircraft was subsequently repaired.
Cheers...Chris
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Moose 47
Thanks for the gen on Namao and Beverley XB262. Wondering now why I didn't hear about the fire around No 4 engine before launching from Namao for birthplace Brough.
Are you able to post the Photo of 262 at Namao?
Incidently it was always a fascinating transition as a TP to mix flight tests on the Beverley with the three V bombers and the Comet 2C thrown in for good measure. Many of my flights in the Beverley were to clear the operation of the autopilot with some exciting rides as one determined the effects of full rate runaways.
Cannot recall the g limits for the Beverley nor its VNE. Can someone?
Thanks for the gen on Namao and Beverley XB262. Wondering now why I didn't hear about the fire around No 4 engine before launching from Namao for birthplace Brough.
Are you able to post the Photo of 262 at Namao?
Incidently it was always a fascinating transition as a TP to mix flight tests on the Beverley with the three V bombers and the Comet 2C thrown in for good measure. Many of my flights in the Beverley were to clear the operation of the autopilot with some exciting rides as one determined the effects of full rate runaways.
Cannot recall the g limits for the Beverley nor its VNE. Can someone?
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Someone asked about Sharjah. The old airfield at Sharjah doesn't exist now. It's now covered by buildings and a motorway junction so it can't bee seen on Google earth. The new Sharjah airport is a few miles away from the old one.
--
Bruce Fletcher
Stronsay, Orkney
I apologise if someone has already said this, but I did'nt spot it in a quick scan of the thread.....
I'm wondering if the photos that kicked it off were not taken at Beihan, in what was the Aden Protectorate?
I was at Ataq for about 6 months with some artillery, and recall visiting Beihan where the 2004th Airfield Construction Squadron (I may have got the title wrong) was building a strip. They had been there for about 2 years, I was told, crushing rock, laying it, grading it, compacting it, and so on. The Flight Lt in charge was, to put it mildly, a bit doolally. Came the day it was finished, and to celebrate a party of bigwigs came up from Aden in an Army Beaver, followed sedately by a Beverley to inaugurate the new strip. The Beaver landed, the Bev did a magisterial circuit or two and then, watched by the bigwigs, touched down. As it did, a ripple developed from the mainwheels, as from a boat moving nicely in calm water, leaving a corrugated surface.
"Ah well" said the Senior Bigwig to the Flt Lt, "That's you here for another 2 years. Get it right next time". And they climbed back in the Beaver and left.
The Flt Lt went off and had a bottle or two, and then attacked his fellow officers (APL etc) in the mess with a khanja during that night's film show, accusing them of causing the problem. He was invalided out later. At the time, we just tied him down.
I'm wondering if the photos that kicked it off were not taken at Beihan, in what was the Aden Protectorate?
I was at Ataq for about 6 months with some artillery, and recall visiting Beihan where the 2004th Airfield Construction Squadron (I may have got the title wrong) was building a strip. They had been there for about 2 years, I was told, crushing rock, laying it, grading it, compacting it, and so on. The Flight Lt in charge was, to put it mildly, a bit doolally. Came the day it was finished, and to celebrate a party of bigwigs came up from Aden in an Army Beaver, followed sedately by a Beverley to inaugurate the new strip. The Beaver landed, the Bev did a magisterial circuit or two and then, watched by the bigwigs, touched down. As it did, a ripple developed from the mainwheels, as from a boat moving nicely in calm water, leaving a corrugated surface.
"Ah well" said the Senior Bigwig to the Flt Lt, "That's you here for another 2 years. Get it right next time". And they climbed back in the Beaver and left.
The Flt Lt went off and had a bottle or two, and then attacked his fellow officers (APL etc) in the mess with a khanja during that night's film show, accusing them of causing the problem. He was invalided out later. At the time, we just tied him down.
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ricardian, See this thread for lots on Sharjah.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=288546
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=288546
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Beverley maiden flight
Was it not on the first ever flight of the Beverley when, as the aircraft got airborne, the Captain [assume it must have been Blackburn's chief test pilot?] is supposed to have turned to the P2 and said "my side's airborne, how about yours ? " !!
I still think the original photographs were taken at Firq. I used to go to Beihan pretty regularly and it was never that flat.
Incidentally, I have a colour slide somewhere in the attic of the local barber's shop in Beihan. The barber's chair is the captain's seat from XH118 of 30 Sqn which crashed at Beihan on 04/02/58.
Incidentally, I have a colour slide somewhere in the attic of the local barber's shop in Beihan. The barber's chair is the captain's seat from XH118 of 30 Sqn which crashed at Beihan on 04/02/58.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Captain Speaking, yes I've heard that, it was Harold "Timber" Woods who said it.
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During the early days of Beverley flight testing at Boscombe Down I used to be continually frustrated with engine starting. It seemed impossible to home in on the correct priming for those monster engines and there was much time spent overheating the long suffering starter motors.
We didn't sort the starting problem out in my time at BD.
The other persistent problem was failures of the electrical brush housings for control of the the props.
Did these problems persist in service?
We didn't sort the starting problem out in my time at BD.
The other persistent problem was failures of the electrical brush housings for control of the the props.
Did these problems persist in service?
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Airfield in UAE
I just found this renewed thread on the Beverley. As Forget and Brakedwell will recall we exchanged some chat about Sharjah and Oman (including the Saiq strip) on the thread http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=288741
Perhaps Beverley related was a request I made for information on an old airfield near the Oman/UAE border on http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=288741
quote:
I wonder if anyone can help identify an old abandoned airfield situated in the United Arab Emirates, south of Al Wagam and Al Q'aa (about 180 km south of Al Ain). It is almost exactly at the intersection of 23N and 55E, which makes it easy to find. There are two large sand runways forming a « T » that is easily visible on Google Earth. Otherwise there are just dumps of old tyres and cars, including a Landrover. Some are obviously truck size sand tyres; others look more like aviation types (rounded profile, almost treadless). No buildings, but human debris (ACs, cooking things, the odd gin bottle etc). What is the name of this airfield, and when was it in use?
Several Ppruners gave me information about the fact that it was obviously oil-related, but no-one came up with a postive indentification.
Any information? Was it used by Beverleys?
Perhaps Beverley related was a request I made for information on an old airfield near the Oman/UAE border on http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=288741
quote:
I wonder if anyone can help identify an old abandoned airfield situated in the United Arab Emirates, south of Al Wagam and Al Q'aa (about 180 km south of Al Ain). It is almost exactly at the intersection of 23N and 55E, which makes it easy to find. There are two large sand runways forming a « T » that is easily visible on Google Earth. Otherwise there are just dumps of old tyres and cars, including a Landrover. Some are obviously truck size sand tyres; others look more like aviation types (rounded profile, almost treadless). No buildings, but human debris (ACs, cooking things, the odd gin bottle etc). What is the name of this airfield, and when was it in use?
Several Ppruners gave me information about the fact that it was obviously oil-related, but no-one came up with a postive indentification.
Any information? Was it used by Beverleys?
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I recall that the Beverley was always referred to as 'an aluminium, petrol cooled, oil burning overcast.'
Wasn't there one on display at the RAF Museum some years ago? Is it still there?
Wasn't there one on display at the RAF Museum some years ago? Is it still there?