The last surviving example of what was once the RAF’s largest transport aircraft is on its way to a new home.
The Blackburn Beverley first entered service in 1955 and, despite its clumsy appearance, was an extremely effective aircraft used for airdropping supplies in conflict zones including the Middle East and Vietnam.
Of the original twenty-man squadron, only one now remains.
The ship was nicknamed “Big Bev” and was decommissioned in 1974 and stored in a former military museum in Hull.
The last in the world
Now the 36-ton aircraft, which has a wingspan of 50 meters and could carry up to 100 troops, has been saved from the scrap heap.
Instead, it will be dismantled and trucked to Cumbria, where it will take pride of place at the Solway Aviation Museum near Carlisle.
The museum purchased it at auction in 2020 and has since raised over £70,000 in donations to cover the costs of further dismantling work and then transporting Big Bev to Cumbria.
Director Dougie Kerr said: “Big Bev is the last of its kind in the world and it’s going to be quite a job to put it back together and make it look beautiful.
“But in a few years it will look great and will certainly attract a lot of crowds.”
Solway Museum currently has a collection of 23 aircraft, including a Vulcan bomber. a McDonald Douglas Phantom fighter jet and a Sikorsky Whirlwind helicopter.
Mr Kerr said Big Bev is in almost complete condition and will be repainted silver with an orange nose
Once the transport plane is completed, visitors will be able to enter its interior to get a better idea of its size and payload.
“It’s extremely exciting, but also very scary,” he said.
