| Beverley | |
|---|---|
 Blackburn Beverley XB287[a] photographed in 1964 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Military transport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Blackburn Aircraft |
| Designer | General Aircraft |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 49 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1950–1958 |
| Introduction date | 1955 |
| First flight | 20 June 1950 |
| Retired | 1967 |
The Blackburn B-101 Beverley is a heavy transport aircraft produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Blackburn Aircraft. It was notably the only land-based transport aeroplane built by Blackburn, a company that otherwise specialised in producing naval fighter aircraft.
The Beverley was originally designed by General Aircraft as the GAL.60 Universal Freighter, reflecting its intended use by both military and civil operators. The design process had started during the Second World War, and drew upon the General Aircraft Hamilcar glider. A major design study was conducted in 1945, ahead of Specification C.3/46 being released by the Air Ministry. The company's proposal was accepted and the Air Ministry placed an order for one prototype. General Aircraft was absorbed by Blackburn during the late 1940s, who continued the project. On 20 June 1950, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight from the company's Brough facility; it was Britain's second largest landplane at the time of the flight.
The Ministry of Supply mandated specification changes during the flight test programme, which necessitated a second prototype be constructed to a modified design. On 1 October 1952, an initial order for 20 aircraft was placed on behalf of the Royal Air Force (RAF). On 12 March 1956, the first production Beverley C.1 was delivered to No. 47 Squadron, stationed at RAF Abingdon. Between 1956 and 1967, the Beverley would be flown by six squadrons of the Royal Air Force Transport Command. With the RAF, the Beverley would be deployed to various corners of the globe, including Kenya, Bahrain, and Vietnam. Despite ambitions to secure commercial customers for the type, Blackburn were unable to garner orders beyond those placed by the RAF. The final operational Beverley was withdrawn from RAF service during August 1967.
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