![XB259, the last surviving example of the Blackburn Beverley, has been at Fort Paull near Hull since 1974. [Photo via Solway Aviation Museum]](https://vintageaviationnews.com/wp-content/uploads/XB259-via-Solway-Aviation-Museum-01-640x381.jpg "XB259 via Solway Aviation Museum 01")
By Zac Yates
The Solway Aviation Museum (SAM)’s crowdfunding campaign to save Big Bev, the sole survivor of 49 Blackburn Beverley cargo aircraft built for the UK’s Royal Air Force during the Cold War, is potentially days away from reaching its £60,000 goal to finance the large aircraft’s relocation from its home of many years at Fort Paull, near Hull, to the SAM facility at Carlisle Lake District airport.
As reported by Vintage Aviation News in February, Beverley XB259 has faced an uncertain future for several years but it appears relief for the unique aircraft is finally in sight. SAM chairman Dougie Kerr told VAN that the team has found the outpouring of support for the project to be overwhelming.
“With the total reaching £57.5k — which we think is fantastic — the generosity towards the saving of the Beverley is outstanding,” Kerr said. “With the weather getting warmer it’s time to make the first steps to move the Beverley: we are planning a recce to see what type of tooling will be required which a local company is going to donate to the project.
“We have also had a promise of a lorry and forklift at Fort Paull to move some of the smaller parts. The thing is, even the smaller parts are quite big! Also preparation to where the Beverley is going to be sited [at the museum] will start this week. So please keep donating, we are nearly there.”
As at April 2 donations and pledges were at £58,144.13. Contributions to the Beverley fundraiser can be made via PayPal and JustGiving. For more information on the Solway Aviation Museum visit their website at https://www.solway-aviation-museum.co.uk. and their Facebook page.
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![XB259, the last surviving example of the Blackburn Beverley, has been at Fort Paull near Hull since 1974. [Photo via Solway Aviation Museum]](https://vintageaviationnews.com/wp-content/uploads/XB259-via-Solway-Aviation-Museum-01-326x245.jpg "Museum Launches Fundraiser to Save the Last Blackburn Beverley 1")
Zac, born and raised in New Zealand, grew up immersed in aviation, with his father working as a helicopter crewman and living at Wanganui Airport. His passion for aviation started in childhood, building scale model kits and following the global warbird scene. He later trained as a journalist but found mainstream media unfulfilling, leading him to pursue a career as an aircraft maintenance engineer.
Now residing in Blenheim, near the historic Omaka Aerodrome, Zac studies at RNZAF Base Woodbourne and aspires to become a private and warbird pilot. Known as "Handbag" in aviation circles, he shares his love for aviation through photography and writing, connecting with enthusiasts worldwide.
It hasn’t been at the Fort for 50 years. It’s been there for about 20. It was at the army transport museum in Beverley before that.
Thanks for the correction Joe – evidently I was too excited to get the update online! Correction made.
I reckon it has been there at least since 1975. It was at Paul airfield when I landed there in a Cessna 172 (G-ARMP) on 17th May 1975. I was shown around the plane. The flying club based there had recently had it flown in with plans to turn it into a clubhouse. I often wondered what happend to it.