Based on the Hamilcar glider of World War II vintage, the Blackburn Beverley was undoubtedly one of the most ungainly transports ever created thanks to its deep and narrow fuselage, single tailplane boom with twin tails and long protruding fixed undercarriage. The lumberng Beverley (the largest RAF aircraft at the time) was built to carry large bulk loads and to land them on rough unprepared runways, often just dirt strips: much of its success in this role was due to its innovative reverse-pitch propellers which allowed it to reverse under its own power. Its interior cargo area was split into two levels and accessed through large clamshell rear opening doors, its cargo usually consisted in passengers (carried in the fright bay and tail boom), paratroopers (dropped from a hatch in the base of the tail boom), freight cargo, or vehicles including helicopters, artillery, and missiles. The Beverley performed admirably with a total of 5 RAF squadrons until retired in 1967.
First flight of the B.101 took place on 20 June 1950 as the GAL.60, a designation reflecting its design by the General Aircraft company. This was followed by the GA.65 before the first production Beverley C.1 appeared. No other further variants of this superb yet little known aircraft were built.
Preceded by:
NoneSucceeded by:
NoneDesign | Beverley C.1 |
Type | Transport |
Year | 1955 |
Crew | 4 |
Dimensions | |
Length | 99 ft 5½ in |
Height | 38 ft 9 in |
Wing Span | 162 ft 0½ in |
Wing Area | n/a |
Weight | |
Empty | 79,235 lbs |
Maximum | 143,001 lbs |
Wing Loading | 49.0 lb/ft² |
Performance | |
Speed | 238 mph |
Ceiling | 16,000 ft |
Range | 3,690 mi |
Powerplant | |
Engine | 4 x Centaurus Mk. 173 Bristol 2,850 hp |
Thrust/Weight | 0.29 |
Armament | |
Guns | - |
Payload | 45,000 lbs |
Production | |
Built | 47 |
Total | 49 |