Blackburn Beverley anyone?

[Berf]

The Last Remaining Blackburn Beverley Is Saved from Scrapheap

The last remaining Blackburn Beverley, has been saved from the scrapheap, thanks to an anonymous benefactor and Condor Aviation.

First built in 1952 by Blackburn in Brough, East Yorkshire, the 49 built Beverley aircraft were some of the largest planes in existence, with a wing span of nearly 50m and capable of carrying more than 90 paratroopers at any given time.

On his decision to save the Blackburn Beverley, Martyn Wiseman, Managing Director of Condor Aviation, said: “The Blackburn has had an esteemed history, and as a fan of radial engine aircraft, I couldn’t bear to see this go the same way as all the others.

“Working with a benefactor who shares my passion, we secured the XB259, along with a large number of artefacts relating to its history, from Fort Paull when the heritage site was auctioned off in late September.”

Plans are afoot to move the plane to Birchwood Lodge, a private airfield in Yorkshire, just a few miles up the road from where the Beverley was built and will remain there until its final days. Members of the public will be invited to visit the plane at its new site, and there are plans to create a library and exhibition of some of the additional artefacts purchased with the plane.

Condor Aviation has until June 2021 to move the huge plane, and that in itself will be a major engineering feat. But, with some of the best aviation engineers on their staff, and a wealth of experience in restoring historical aircraft, Mr. Wiseman doesn’t think it will be a problem, other than the sheer costs involved:

“The first stage in moving the Beverley to its forever home will be to dismantle it and move it in parts. With a wingspan of nearly 50 metres, equivalent to two tennis courts end-to-end, and a fuselage so large you can fit a single decker bus inside, it will be an engineering feat in itself to move it. We anticipate the dismantle, move and reassembly to cost in excess of £100,000.

“We’ll be moving the plan in as few pieces as possible to preserve its structure - ideally each wing individually, and the main fuselage as a single unit. There are a number of moving options we’re exploring at the moment, but no option is cheap.”

To support the move, the team has launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise the funds needed to dismantle, move and rebuild the aircraft. With a range of incentives available, supporters will be able to benefit from their own generosity in a variety of ways.

“Any donation, however large or small, will help us towards our fundraising targets,” said Martyn. “You can donate £1 and become an owner of one of the 440,000 rivets that hold the beast together, or donate £259 for a historical guided tour of Yorkshire by air in our own 1939 radial engine aircraft; we don’t want to let this icon go the same way as the others.

He added; “The long-term plans for this aircraft are incredibly exciting, and whilst it’s too early to say anything in confidence, we hope this to be the first stage in providing a haven for veterans emotionally or physically affected by conflict. That’s why, anything above and beyond our target will be to work with and donate to Help for Heroes.”

[capercaillie]

There do seem a lot of mixed messages coming out.

A fan of radial engines, great, then apparently the engines will be up for sale, mmmmm.

[HeyfordDave111]

Fuselage as a single piece in the move?

Wow, ok, i see the idea behind that, but does anyone know just how big the fuselage is? Will it fit under any bridges en route? Bridge standard is 16ft 6inches (clearance)
Wiki has the height as 38ft 9inches, which i would imagine is to the top of the tail fins standing on its undercart. Anyone know the height of the fuselage without tail and undercart?

I wonder if a 1 piece move with the fuselage on its side is possible if it fits within the 16ft 6inches bridge restrictions (dont forget the height from the road of the top of the flat bed trailer needs to be added and that must be around 2-3ft i'd have thought).

If possible that would be an impressive move.

[NAM Updater]

On a personal note I find it quite interesting that a much discussed six-figure estimate for the anticipated move cost, has now been committed into print!

[Ken Shabby]

Good luck to him and, as has been said, no one else has stepped-up to save the aircraft so it’s his to do what he likes with.

I’ve just had a look at the Crowdfunding page and it suffers, as so many of these appeals do, from a lack of clarity and vision. It’s not clear who anyone is donating their money to or whether or not this is a good cause or not. It’s all a bit vague. Who owns the aircraft? Is it Mr Wiseman or Condor Aviation? And who is the anonymous benefactor and does she or he have a stake in what’s going on? Is this a plan to save a unique aircraft or are donors simply subsidising someone’s plan to convert an aircraft into a BNB business?

There’s mention the aircraft and it’s surrounds will become a “haven” for veterans and that there is (or will be) some link with Help for Heroes. Nothing seems to have been through, though, and it’s not clear if the ‘veterans’ haven’ is the main thrust of the project or if it’s a commercial letting enterprise and vets will just get a discount when they book.

He says was looking at buying the aircraft for over a year, so I’d have hoped the plan would have been more fleshed-out by now. In my experience, if you’re asking for public contributions, you need to offer up a bit more info than at present if you’re to be successful.

[Ken Shabby]

On a personal note I find it quite interesting that a much discussed six-figure estimate for the anticipated move cost, has now been committed into print!

It says: “ ... in excess of £100,000”. That’s the same price as HS2.

[capercaillie]

Or one of these
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54901982

Is the Super Guppy the new Cubbington pear tree though?

[Ant.H]

The quote about transporting the fuselage as one piece sounds a bit odd and optimistic. When she was last transported it was cut into top and bottom halves to make it roadable.

[GeeRam]

The quote about transporting the fuselage as one piece sounds a bit odd and optimistic. When she was last transported it was cut into top and bottom halves to make it roadable.

And isn't that why it's now got to be moved in one piece, as I seem to remember reading somewhere that it really wouldn't survive another chop up for a move?

[HeyfordDave111]

just looking on googlecearth for a decent route from Paull to Birchwood Lodge it looks feasible to avoid low bridges.
some through town messing about looks probable, but it does, if my old eyes dont deceive me, looks as thiugh it could be shifted as 1 piece.

Mind you, would more people visit it at Birchwood Lodge? that doyen of historic aircraft attractions? Thats the other question..... but its his aircraft / air BnB now, so that question is moot i suppose.

[iainpeden]

Reading this alongside the Bruntingthorpe thread I'm wondering if all those who are saving historic airframes at the moment are going in the right direction.

First of all it's great that people want to save the Beverly, get a museum going at Bruntingthorpe and get a few Spey Phantoms together. However, certainly for the Beverly and the Phantoms wouldn't it have been better to link in with an existing museum to ensure adequate footfall to fund preservation if not conservation.

Lots of politics and funding I know but one of the Buccs has gone to somewhere near Burton where it will be the only attraction (as far as I know).

Just my thoughts.

[Andover]

Pledges coming in...not much time to reach the target though. (Link below)

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the- ... y-aircraft

[cometguymk1]

Probably lost alot of goodwill from the Historic aviation fans after revealing the airbnb plans.