Last surviving Blackburn Beverley plane heads to museum

"Big Bev" is the last of its type and was taken out of service 40 years ago

The last surviving example of what was once the RAF's largest transport plane is heading to a new home.

The Blackburn Beverley first came into service in 1955, and was used to drop supplies in conflict zones, including the Middle East and Vietnam.

Of the original 20-strong squadron, only one now remains and it will be housed at the Solway Aviation Museum in Cumbria.

Nicknamed "Big Bev", it was taken out of service in 1974 and had been stored at a former military museum in Hull.

The 36-tonne aircraft, which has a wingspan of 162ft (50m) and was capable of carrying up to 100 troops, will be dismantled and taken by lorry to Cumbria, where it will take pride of place at the museum near Carlisle.

'Hugely exciting'

The museum bought it at an auction in 2020 and has since raised more than £70,000 in donations which will be used to cover the cost of further dismantling and then transporting Big Bev to Cumbria.

Director Dougie Kerr said: "Big Bev is the last of its type in the world and it's going to be a long job putting it back together and then making it look nice.

"But in a couple of years it'll look great and should really draw in the crowds."

The Blackburn Beverley was used in the Middle East and Vietnam war zones

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 was in "fairly complete condition" and would be repainted silver with an orange nose

When complete, visitors will be able to go inside the transport aircraft to get a better idea of her size and carrying capacity.

"It's hugely exciting but also very daunting," he said.