THE Solway Aviation Museum has announced that it has almost reached its target for transporting an iconic aircraft to its centre.

They are aiming to raise £70,000 to bring the last surviving Blackburn Beverley to the museum. 

This week they announced that they have raised over £69,000 which will help their cause to bring 'Big Bev' to Cumbria. 

A spokesperson said: "Incredibly, we are now closing in on £70k in our bid to save the last surviving Blackburn Beverley.

"The proposal will see Beverley XB259 dismantled and transported from its present location at Fort Paull, Hull, to Carlisle Airport to join Solway Aviation’s Museum’s outstanding collection of historic aircraft - including the enormous Avro Vulcan XJ823.

"The work to re-assemble and restore the Beverley will be carried out by the highly experienced team of museum volunteers."

Museum chairman, Dougie Kerr added: "This is a last-gasp rescue mission for the Beverley, and once it is here it will form an important part of our collection of iconic British-made aircraft. 



"Blackburn Beverley XP259 has faced an uncertain future since the closure of the small museum at Fort Paull in 2020.

"It was saved from the scrapman by a private individual,  but the road towards finding it a new permanent home has proved difficult.

"With uncertainties continuing, the intervention by Solway Aviation Museum has at last provided an opportunity to see the Beverley saved as part of Britain’s heritage."