Skip to content

Carlisle museum eyes Fort Paull's Blackburn Beverley aircraft

Richard Croft / Geograph The Blackburn Beverley aircraft at Fort PaullRichard Croft / Geograph
The Blackburn Beverley transport aircraft was used by the RAF during the 1950s and 1960s

The world's last surviving military aircraft of its type could be moved to a museum in Cumbria.

For years, the Blackburn Beverley - an RAF transporter - was exhibited at Fort Paull, an attraction near Hull that closed in 2020.

Solway Aviation Museum has launched a £60,000 fundraising campaign to provide a permanent new home to the aircraft.

Museum chairman Dougie Kerr said: "This is a last-gasp rescue mission for the Beverley."

Richard Croft / Geograph The former Fort Paull attractionRichard Croft / Geograph
Fort Paull closed in 2020 and the Beverley XP259 was sold

The Blackburn Beverley aircraft, one of only 49 built in Brough, East Yorkshire, was in use between 1955 and 1967.

Mr Kerr added: "Once it is here, it will form an important part of our collection of iconic British-made aircraft."

Beverley XP259 was sold to a local buyer for £21,000 at auction following the closure of Fort Paull.

Under the plans, the aircraft would be dismantled and then reassembled at the museum, which is next to Carlisle Lake District Airport.

Mr Kerr said the museum's plan was an opportunity "to see the Beverley saved as part of Britain's heritage".

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]