Nothing there that has not been covered (probably by me) previously. Without mods, the original beetainers were rank, designed by amateurs (other than Robin Dartington).
Dartingtons are better than Nationals in some respects. It is always a compromise! Horses for courses!
Top covers are easily removed and lifted - they are 18mm thick and a simple rectangle. What is difficult with that? The roof can be made in two parts for wimps and others who are 'strength challenged' for a variety of reasons.
Supers on a Dartington can be Nationals. Far better than those silly half supers, for several reasons.
Better to use any insulation sealed in plastic bags in the side mouldings of the beetainer. Geuss who suggested that years ago! I designed my roofs so that expanded polystyrene sheet was simply used as extra insulation. Top covers on a beetainer need internal insulation, anyway. Carp design. External winter insulation is easy enough on a Dartington
Dartingtons don't have a well around the entrance/exit. A poor design for the beetainer. Dartingtons don't even suggest the hive is for two colonies - a stupid claim made by omlette, IMO.
One important point is that Dartingtons can be easily made from plans supplied by RD. Far more cost effective than the ludicrously expensive price of an omlette beetainer.
Any more reasons required, to demonstrate the superiority of the timber Dartington?
