Solway Aviation Museum's appeal to rescue a transport aircraft has gotten off to a flying start.

Earlier this week, Solway Aviation Museum confirmed that it would be launching a fundraiser to help rescue the world’s only surviving Blackburn Beverley transport aircraft. 

They aim to raise £60,000 which will go towards dismantling and transporting the Beverley XP259 from its present location at Fort Paull, Hull, to Carlisle Airport to join the museum's vast collection of historic aircraft.

Museum Chairman, Dougie Kerr said;

‘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."

After the appeal was shared online late on Thursday February 1st, it garnered a huge amount of support online. 

At the time of writing, on Friday December 2, it has already raised over £1,000.