Blackburn Beverley Albums
Capot - the boom para jump was, apparently favoured over the freight bay by the 'professionals' on account of it being through the floor, meaning that they went straight into the slipstream on their backs rather than having to force themselves out sideways. Only did one para jump - balloon at Weston (no reserve
) and that experience convinced me that I would NEVER do another one!!
) and that experience convinced me that I would NEVER do another one!!
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Hmmm...I only did the normal All Arms course, Aldershot for weeding out to around 40% of the hopeful starters, then Abingdon for the RAF-run parachute course. 2Xballoon (door, then through the floor) followed by 6 (or was it 8) aircraft jumps including the night jump. The RAF was changing aircraft at that time, and we got the Beverley (side door and boom, Argosy (side door) and Hastings (night jump into the trail of sparks) in that course.
The Argosy had such a curved side that you really did have to push out. I don't remember that with the Beverley, but I'm sure the professionals are right.
The problem with the boom was the absolute certainty that you would catch your chin on the far end of the hatch, and the cold-blooded step into space that was called for. I hated it, but it was only the once.
The Argosy had such a curved side that you really did have to push out. I don't remember that with the Beverley, but I'm sure the professionals are right.
The problem with the boom was the absolute certainty that you would catch your chin on the far end of the hatch, and the cold-blooded step into space that was called for. I hated it, but it was only the once.
Mass parachute drop 'Croydon Airport' 1960
In 1960 Croydon had its own millenium celebrations which included an exhibition at the 'then' recently closed Airport.
Part of this included a mass 'drop' by the local TA Para's , and this was done by several Beverley's (low level) in formation.
The sight (and sound) of this event over this historic location was impressive as was the arrival of so many troops in less than a minute.
As i recall they had to walk back to the terminal area carrying their chutes.
I suspect there would be a film record of this somewhere.
Little did i realise that 20 years later i would return to the same 'very closed and built over site' with a Comper Swift to attend another celebration display.
Part of this included a mass 'drop' by the local TA Para's , and this was done by several Beverley's (low level) in formation.
The sight (and sound) of this event over this historic location was impressive as was the arrival of so many troops in less than a minute.
As i recall they had to walk back to the terminal area carrying their chutes.
I suspect there would be a film record of this somewhere.
Little did i realise that 20 years later i would return to the same 'very closed and built over site' with a Comper Swift to attend another celebration display.
Bye Bye Bev article.
I have somewhere in my stache of old paperwork an article that came out when the Bev retired entitled " Bye Bye Bev ". I think it was in the Air clues magazine. I will attempt to find it and put it on the site as it contains many of the quips about the Bev, ( navs only worked on the outbound leg, on the way home they followed the oil slick, being overtaken in France by a steam drawn train!) and they are the least insulting ones. I would be re-assured if anyone can confirm this memory.
gopher01,
the article in Air Clues was as I recall 'Bye bye Bev Hello Herc.' It was written by the Eng Leader of 47 Sqn (then newly equipped with the Herc). He had I think a long association with the Beverley. Hope this helps. Date must have been approx. 1968/69.
the article in Air Clues was as I recall 'Bye bye Bev Hello Herc.' It was written by the Eng Leader of 47 Sqn (then newly equipped with the Herc). He had I think a long association with the Beverley. Hope this helps. Date must have been approx. 1968/69.
IIRC there was the first article entitled 'Bye bye Bev' and then 'Hello Herc' appeared in the next edition of Air Clues. The author was Gerry Hatt, Eng Ldr I think, on 47 Sqn at Fairford.
Bryan 48 Nav,
the author was indeed Gerry Hatt, at the time the Eng Ldr on 47.
the author was indeed Gerry Hatt, at the time the Eng Ldr on 47.
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I have just joined the forum and this link about Beverley XB259 brought back memories of its last flight into Paul airfield. I was at Humberside airport that day which was to be the diversion airfield if the Beverley couldn't get into Paul.
One of the based Twin Comanche was airborne as the Beverley passed over the airport and followed it to Paul,circling overhead with the pilot giving a commentary on the progress of the landing or whether to expect it at Humberside. There was an air of expectation that it wouldnt get in and a very clear sense of disappointment at Humberside when it did.
Moving on from that I have records of Beverleys landing at RAF North Coates to carry Bloodhound missiles to various places.
I have the following
XL148 242 OCU to Upsala in Sweden on 11/5/60 returning on the 13th
XL149 242 OCU to West Malling and back 16/5/60
XB286 47 Sqdn to Abingdon via Binbrook on 18/2/63 returning on the 19th
XB265 47 Sqdn arriving on 29/8/63 departed on 1/9/63 possibly loading trials
XB267 47 Sqdn 14/9/64 possibly loading trials
The return trip from Upsala must have been interesting as the Swedes put up a squadron of Saab J29s to escort the Beverley out of Swedish airspace
Can anybody add any more please?
One of the based Twin Comanche was airborne as the Beverley passed over the airport and followed it to Paul,circling overhead with the pilot giving a commentary on the progress of the landing or whether to expect it at Humberside. There was an air of expectation that it wouldnt get in and a very clear sense of disappointment at Humberside when it did.
Moving on from that I have records of Beverleys landing at RAF North Coates to carry Bloodhound missiles to various places.
I have the following
XL148 242 OCU to Upsala in Sweden on 11/5/60 returning on the 13th
XL149 242 OCU to West Malling and back 16/5/60
XB286 47 Sqdn to Abingdon via Binbrook on 18/2/63 returning on the 19th
XB265 47 Sqdn arriving on 29/8/63 departed on 1/9/63 possibly loading trials
XB267 47 Sqdn 14/9/64 possibly loading trials
The return trip from Upsala must have been interesting as the Swedes put up a squadron of Saab J29s to escort the Beverley out of Swedish airspace
Can anybody add any more please?
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Learned Gentlemen,
Could anyone confirm whether or not a Beverley ever visited the U.S.A. ?
I believe Boscombe did some cold weather testing in Canada, but did an operational R.A.F. one ever cross the pond ?
Thanks for your time and trouble,
Be lucky
David
Could anyone confirm whether or not a Beverley ever visited the U.S.A. ?
I believe Boscombe did some cold weather testing in Canada, but did an operational R.A.F. one ever cross the pond ?
Thanks for your time and trouble,
Be lucky
David
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A plea to all Beverly buffs is my memory correct in that the Prototype Beverly
did visited R. A. F. Headquarters Transport Command Upavon in Wiltshire in the late 1953 early 1954 as a demo to the big wigs there, was it flying then ?
I seem to remember it landing on the grass airfield back then and we the techies of the Comm Flight thinking "what the hell is that". Perhaps someone remembers it that far back ,
I read somewhere that on the first test flight the Chief Test Pilot was heard to shout on lift off, "My side is airborne what's your side doing"
did visited R. A. F. Headquarters Transport Command Upavon in Wiltshire in the late 1953 early 1954 as a demo to the big wigs there, was it flying then ?
I seem to remember it landing on the grass airfield back then and we the techies of the Comm Flight thinking "what the hell is that". Perhaps someone remembers it that far back ,
I read somewhere that on the first test flight the Chief Test Pilot was heard to shout on lift off, "My side is airborne what's your side doing"
