Blackburn Beverly

History of Blackburn Beverly

During the Cold War, the Royal Air Force (RAF) Transport Command needed a modern heavy strategic transport. General Aircraft answered the call through GAL. 60 "Universal Freighter" Mk 1, an odd-looking but very functional high-wing four-engine aircraft. The cargo compartment is served by a combination of doors and ramps, with Bristol Hercules engines powering a conventional propeller arrangement. The cockpit is located above the nose of the deep fuselage, and a raised tail boom completes the aircraft.

Of particular note is the rigid undercarriage with wheels, which eliminates the need for complex retraction functions and reduces maintenance. The first flight took place on June 20, 1950. Blackburn Aircraft is responsible for building the series.

This work resulted in a second prototype featuring a removable "flip" cargo door under the tail boom. The original Hercules engine was replaced by a Bristol "Centaurus" 173 radial engine, and a reverse function was added to shorten stop times. Inside, the tail boom is finished and can accommodate 36 additional passengers. The modified prototype received the designation GAL. 65 Mk 2 (company model B-100), it was this form that was in service with the RAF under the designation "Beverly C. 1 Mk 1" (company model B-101).

The line operates under the Blackburn brand label for its life cycle, with production taking place outside the Brough factory in the North East of England.

Final total production of 49 units, of which 20 units were ordered through the initial order. The service was launched in 1955 and production ended in 1958. At launch, the Beverley was the largest aircraft in service with the RAF.

From the beginning, the Beverly was designed as an all-terrain vehicle capable of transporting heavy loads over long distances in changing environments. Its inverted propeller feature facilitates landings on short runways, while the reinforced fixed undercarriage proves suitable for off-runway operations. The high-wing arrangement supports takeoffs from short runways, and the cargo bay deep inside can carry everything from basic supply trays and combat infantry to artillery loads and paratroopers - up to 70 of the latter can be parachuted and ejected into booms through hatches and through the side hull doors. The specified maximum payload is 44,000 lbs.

The four-cylinder engines have an output of 2,850 horsepower each, which helps provide a top speed of 240 mph, a cruising speed of 175 mph, a range of up to 1,300 miles, a service ceiling of 16,000 feet and a range of speed increases. Climb 760 feet per minute.

While the Beverly isn't a particularly attractive aircraft, it has much-needed (and respected) qualities in the field. It performed as expected and deliveries of the line to No. 47 Squadron (Abingdon) began in March 1956, and the line was then deployed as far as Bahrain, Kenya and the Far East in support of British operations and interests.

The last Beverlys was retired in 1967, when service switched to an aircraft with a new, more traditional appearance - the Hawke Sidley Andover.

Of the 49 Beverlys completed, 9 were lost by accident or otherwise. Two-thirds of retired survivors fell under the torch of scrap dealers in time - leaving only one complete example.

Two attempts were made to further develop basic Mk 1 production models: B-107 and B-107A. The former appeared in 1956 and introduced a new round hull design with greater internal capacity and power from 4 x Rolls-Royce "Tyne" turboprops. The plan was not developed into a working prototype.

Likewise, the 1959 B-107A - which added a nose door to improve loading and unloading while borrowing many elements from the previous B-107 - failed.

Specification

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