The prototype Blackburn Beverley, forerunner of the Beverley C.Mk I, ordered into quantity production for the R.A.F. took to the air for the first time on June 14th. Occupying the pilot's and co-pilot's seats respectively were Mr. H. ("Timber") Wood, the company's chief test pilot, and Mr. Derek Brade, head of flight test development. Airborne time was half an hour and the flight was "completely successful".
Powered by four Bristol Centaurus engines and spanning 162ft, the Beverley is the first British aircraft designed for the dropping of heavy military equipment, to which end the rear "clamshell" loading doors are removed. Field guns, tracked vehicles and light trucks can thus be dropped by parachute, together with their crews and necessary supplies. A typical service load will be ten jeeps in the main freight compartment, in addition to troops in the rear (upper) fuselage.
Source: Flight International