BAC-111 Beadle T.Mk.1A XS723 / D 'Doris' of 501 squadron

[Knightflyer]

BAC-111 Beadle T.Mk.1A



Due to the continued commitment of the UK government to the Middle East (in particular through the auspices of the Arab-British Commonwealth), and to the ongoing military requirements against Sudanese and Southern Arabian forces, the Royal Air Force identified a need to replace it's Vickers Varsity aircraft with an aircraft of at least comparable size if not in-fact of larger size. After some deliberation the decision was to go with a version of the BAC-111 which would give it the ability to train several student navigators at one time, in a modern and spacious airframe. The aircraft could under certain circumstances be brought into use as a 'surge' transport.

The BAC Beadle T.Mk.1 entered service in mid-1965 and altogether 20 were purchased to form two squadrons. The Beadle was equipped to train ten navigator students, with five navigator instructors in attendance, as well as a pilot and co-pilot. The aircraft was upgraded in 1971 to T.Mk.1A standard, the most obvious feature of this upgrade being the 'Helmsman' navigation equipment in the 'hump' on top of the fuselage.

One unusual item of note was the decision to re-activate two Auxiliary squadrons to handle the training, numbers 501 and 504 being chosen. The aircraft were painted in a variation of the RAF training scheme and were allocated an individual name in what was best described by one journalist as 'British Great Aunt ' the aircraft shown XS723 being  D for Doris (it is understood that disappointment was expressed by members of the RAF when the sixth aircraft was named 'Florrie' rather than being named after the aunt in the Famous Five books.) One unforeseen consequence of the aircraft name 'Beadle' (a minor official who carries out various civil, educational, or ceremonial duties) which was chosen both for it alliterative and academic connections is that in the early 1980's with the launch of the TV programme 'Game for a Laugh' the aircraft gained the addition unwanted nickname of 'Jeremy'

[darthspud]

Nice use of the kit.

[PR19_Kit]

That's terrific, really REALLY good. 

I love the 'naming convention'. 

[Captain Canada]

Oh yes very nice ! Another aeroplane we don't see enough around here, and this one sure fits the bill. Love the look, the premise, the colours and markings. I want to pick it up and fly it around the room !

[Glenn Gilbertson]

A beautiful model with an interesting backstory!

[TallEng]

What a good idea
Good back story too
how come i never think of stuff like that?

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

Must admit as soon as I saw the name my brain went Jeremy !  Then it vaguely remembered my Dicken's and what a Beadle actually was

Lovely build 

[Knightflyer]

Must admit as soon as I saw the name my brain went Jeremy !  Then it vaguely remembered my Dicken's and what a Beadle actually was

Thanks NARSES2 and everyone for your comments. 

NARSES2 - If you're brain went 'Jeremy' it appears I figured the brain workings of some of my fellow whiffers successfully 

In the early planning stage when I hit on Beadle I did consider naming each aircraft with names from Oliver (premiered in the West End in 1960, so the time frame fitted) / Oliver Twist

'Oliver', 'Fagin', 'Dodger'. 'Nancy' and 'even 'Bill Sikes' might have worked, But the thought of possibly applying decals letter by letter for 'Mr.Sowerberry' or 'Toby Crackit' daunted me,  mind you there are probably actually enough short names to have done it, but I liked the thought of a plane called Doris! 

[NARSES2]

Nothing wrong with Doris, good old working class name