Source : Paul McTaggart (News & Star)
THE stage is almost set for relocating the last RAF Blackburn Beverley XB259 to a museum in Carlisle.
The massive 162ft wingspan aircraft will soon be placed on the grounds of Solway Aviation Museum, following an extensive preparation and fundraising process.
Dougie Kerr, chairman of the museum, said: “Things are coming together so quickly now for the move.”
“In just a few weeks the display area has been dug out, filled with rubble and hardcore, and covered over.”
“During that process, we installed buried ducting to take power to the aircraft for lighting and dehumidifiers, we buried tie-down fixings for Big Bev to help keep her in place when the north wind blows, and we’ve got a roller coming on Tuesday to finish off the surface.”
“Shuttering has also been installed ready for concrete pouring next week to reinforce further the contact points for the nose wheel and main landing gear,” he said.
without the incredible public support for our fundraiser none of this would be happening
Dougie Kerr
The plane is moving from Hull’s Fort Paull, thanks to a successful fundraising campaign that raised over £70,000.
The funds made the relocation feasible, and museum volunteers have been working on dismantling the aircraft for weeks now.
Mr Kerr shared his gratitude to the public, individuals, and businesses for making the move possible.
“I can’t emphasise enough how small the core team is that’s been doing all this work at Solway Aviation Museum and across at Fort Paull Battery Heritage Site, or how fantastic the support has been from individuals and businesses at both ends to make this happen.”
“And, of course, without the incredible public support for our fundraiser none of this would be happening – so thank you all too,” he said.
The fundraising campaign is still ongoing for anyone who wishes to support the project and contribute to preserving a piece of aviation history.
You can donate to the museum’s Blackburn Beverley XB259 JustGiving donation page.