Blackburn B-101 Beverley

Blackburn B-101 Beverley			Photo Gallery
Introduced in 1950, the Blackburn B-101 Beverley was a heavy transport built by Blackburn and General Aircraft, and operated by the Royal Air Force Transport Command from 1957 until 1967. It was the only land-based transport airplane built by Blackburn, a company that normally built naval fighters. It was designed for carrying large bulkloads, landing on rough runways or dirt strips. Also designed to carry troops, paratroopers could jump through a hatch in the base of the boom just in front of the leading edge of the tailplane or in the cargo hold exited through side doors. While it proved to be such an excellent aircraft in the air, cargo trials were cumbersome and ground handling difficult, which was a major disappointment. A total of 49 aircraft were produced with the last being manufactured in 1958, and retirement from the RAF in 1967.