I have been working in Beverley for the past month, driving past the Bev daily. This week a group of engineers from its new home (Fort Paull) have commenced the disassembly process which is estimated to take a month or so.
I had a good nose round the aircraft this afternoon & chat to one of the engineers. A trust fund is to be set up to raise money for the project & upkeep of the airframe. The team are rather surprised by the negative response of many people to the move to Paull rather than YAM. I raised the corrosion issue with it being by the Humber. He said the salty air wouldnt be a problem as the paint is very good & it would be looked after – I remained pollitly cynical.
You cant stop corrosion, its a law of physics, but it can be slowed down. A salty atmosphere wont do the airframe any good, regardless of how well its looked after.
The Paull people regard Paull as its home, as it was built at Brough, first & last flown from Paull airfield and finally flown by a Paull based pilot.
The airframe looks in quite good nick as far as I could tell. It certainly looks better than last time I saw the Shack & Victor as DXF. The u/c bays are sealed & all vents & nest holes seemed sealed. The paint is not peeling and the tyres look inflated and there doesnt appear to be much corrosion on the engine nacelles & mounts.
See the pics attached below – if anyone wants any emailed, let me know. Apologies to dial up users – the pics are quite big
By: Ant.H - 20th March 2004 at 15:52
To be honest I think the colour scheme is the last thing that needs worrying about, she has some paint to protect her and that’s something to be thankful for.
What about involving the HLF?Have YAM considered going via the Lottery route to raise the cash to buy her back?Would it be possible to move the Bev again from Fort Paull to YAM if she survives long enough?I just can’t see her surviving at Fort Paull…
By: ALBERT ROSS - 20th March 2004 at 12:42
Well done! These are the first decent shots I’ve seen of the Bev taken recently. Shame the colour scheme is only half accurate and hope they repaint her correctly in GLOSS camouflage with gloss black undersides(not camouflaged:mad: ). Actually, for real purists of course XB259 was NEVER in this scheme and should really be put back into RAE colours!
By: TomB - 20th March 2004 at 10:39
The group certainly seem optimistic they can cope, and regard the Bev as theirs. This view may be fair enough, but its preservation for the nation should be upmost in their minds. It may well be, I wouldnt like to suggest they cant look after it, however I share the sceptism of most people here. They seem to be surprised by the sceptism of the enthusiast brigade. They presumably have some knowledge & engineering backus as they are moving the aircraft & stripping it themselves.
It certainly wont be seen by as many poeple as it would at YAM – if MAT couldnt survive which is in a town, by a main road, its not going to be seen by many at a tiny attraction in the middle of nowhere. Do a web search for Fort Paull & see its new home – it will leave you baffled & depressed as to why YAM didnt get it
By: Peter - 20th March 2004 at 00:24
Not to be goulish …..but………….
If they ever want rid of those nasty in the way antennas from the nose I ll gladly see that they are given a good Home!
By: Ant.H - 20th March 2004 at 00:17
“I raised the corrosion issue with it being by the Humber. He said the salty air wouldnt be a problem as the paint is very good & it would be looked after – I remained pollitly cynical.”
The poor misguided souls.:rolleyes: Nice pics Tom,although it’s rather sad to think of what will become of her.
By: turbo_NZ - 19th March 2004 at 22:14
Great pics, thanks.
The Bev certainly is a spectacular looking aircraft and these superb photos emphasise just that:)
By: philo - 19th March 2004 at 21:55
Well done TomB, keep us posted.
I share your views on the corrosion issue.
By: TomB - 19th March 2004 at 21:04
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By: TomB - 19th March 2004 at 21:00
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By: TomB - 19th March 2004 at 20:57
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By: TomB - 19th March 2004 at 20:55
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By: TomB - 19th March 2004 at 20:55
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March 19, 2004 at 8:45 pm