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Post by Jeff on Apr 27, 2015 12:19:44 GMT
For those members who are not aware, PB produces a "photo of the day" post along the same lines of "Photo of the Week" over on our siter site here blackbusheairport.proboards.com/ if you get a chance pop over and have a look please do. You will be made very welcome and if you have any question or memories that you wish to ask or pass on to the team they will be more that pleased to help you out. PS There is also a direct link at the top of the page "Peter Browns Blackbushe Forum" Jeff
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Post by peterbrown on May 3, 2015 5:21:59 GMT
Sunday once more...so here's this week's Sunday offering from the 'one-stop' forum! Photo of the Day" 30/04/15Nothing gets my blood pressure up faster than when writing my bit for POTD the whole lot vanishes - and it has just happened again. Must be a short cut that gets triggered, but time is precious and losing the last hour is frustrating to put it mildly. Still, it's only 06.30, so here is a very much abridged version of what was, but isn't anymore...and let's hope that (a) it doesn't happen again, and (b) my blood pressure allows me to return tomorrow...!! As I was saying earlier... We looked at a casual jet visitor to Blackbushe yesterday in the form of a Hunter T7 from Hawkers nice aerodrome at Dunsfold, The jet was no stranger to Blackbushe, perhaps one of the most beautiful being the DH Comet. Wearing the colours of BOAC the type spent many hours flying from Blackbushe on crew training, this including all the variants that BOAC operated during the Comet's service with the Company. BOAC Comet 1, G-ALYU taxies the length of Blackbushe during another training sortieYU became one of the most famous of the early Comets after the tragic accidents that befell the Comet in her early days. This was the aeroplane whose wings protruded from the water tank tests at Farnborough during the efforts to track down the structural weakness that lead to the Comet's troubles. Every documentary on the Comet must have included footage of this lovely aeroplane's wings extended from the huge water tank that lead to rectification of the Comet's problem and the types development and continued career around the world's airports. The Comet at Blackbushe probably lead to the world's first complaints with regard to big jet noise, something to do with flying circuits through the night maybe? The last big jet to land at Blackbushe was, of course, the Dan-Air Comet 4 acquired by Doug Arnold. That's it, I'm off to find the Weetabix... PB
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Post by graham on May 3, 2015 19:21:12 GMT
Thank you Peter, still in my opinion one of the most graceful passenger jets to have ever graced our skies.
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Post by peterbrown on May 10, 2015 5:21:24 GMT
Sunday..VE Day celebrated, new faces in Downing Street, and another clip from last week's "Photo of the Day"... "Photo of the Day" 09/05/15As the sacrifices of World War Two are remembered with the 70th Anniversary of VE Day and its great significance being remembered this weekend, it's a sad fact that despite the carnage of the forties human beings are unable to keep the peace for long. Located close to the HQ of the British Army, Blackbushe played her part in moving our troops to post WW2 war zones until 1960 when, of course, war was declared on Blackbushe and her destruction was willful and almost total as government and local 'influences' set about her demise. They played what they thought was the ace card in removing Blackbushe, but 55 years later they have not achieved their goal, let's hope they never do? Looking over our shoulders at the Airport's historic past, I am grateful to the News & Mail group of papers for today's reflection of the past.. As I said, Blackbushe played her role in our 1950's conflicts... 1956 and British women and children arrive at Blackbushe Airport having been evacuated from Egypt due to the Suez Crisis.Men from REME board an Airwork Viking at Blackbushe Airport directed by Air Hostess Daphne Turner. At the time the picture was taken their destination was simply given as , "somewhere in the Middle East".
..and from somewhere in Hampshire I wish you a peaceful day. PB
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Post by graham on May 11, 2015 11:29:56 GMT
As usual Peter, a pair of very evocative photos. I notice that the air stewardess on the second shot is attracting a fair bit of attention from the boarding REME chaps.....;0)
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Post by peterbrown on May 17, 2015 6:16:10 GMT
Sunday, 17th May..another week burned off, and another slice from the past week's "Photo of the Day"... "Photo of the Day" 11/05/15Further continuation of the "News & Mail" photographs. Here's a couple more.. Some doubt has been cast as to the accuracy of yesterday's POTD where we reported Parachute Regiment departures from Blackbushe by way of the Avro Shackleton. Well, there is no doubt that in January, 1956, 28 - Yes TWENTY EIGHT Shackletons arrived at Blackbushe to transports troops to Cyprus following the occupation of the Suez Canal. 28 troops were shoe horned into each Shackleton... The Paras before boarding one of the many Shackletons waiting to leave Blackbushe bound for Cyprus in January, 1956.Skyways Hermes takes aboard more troops bound for the Middle East. A little more comfort than the Shackleton was on offer....and finally, the troops wore plimsoles for these flights. They carried their boots to avoid inflicting damage on the aircraft interiors.
PB
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Post by graham on May 17, 2015 7:50:22 GMT
Thanks so much Peter, more thought provoking photographs of a time long since passed us by. Apart from the aircraft and the history of Blackbushe which of course are always the most interesting aspects of your posts, it's plain to see that 50 or 55 years ago, a moustache didn't seem to be "de rigueur" for most of the lads of the Parachute Regiment.
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Post by peterbrown on May 17, 2015 14:06:26 GMT
Good obs Graham..they probably had to keep the weight down?
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Post by graham on May 17, 2015 15:54:23 GMT
Quite possibly Peter, I mean at 18 Paras per plane, that would be some weight...;0)
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Post by peterbrown on May 24, 2015 5:36:05 GMT
Another week gone - here's yesterday's extract from "Photo of the Day" over on AFA's sister ship, the "one-stop" forum.. "Photo of the Day" 23/05/15What a good feeling...Two days off, not one meeting in the diary until some bizz jet bizz on Monday - and I actually logged more than four hours sleep last night - really unusual!!. And Blackbushe is under new ownership with a rosier future ahead...one has to admit to a degree of feelgood today. Will it last? Who knows?? Even the Met Man's predictions suggest a good weekend is in the offing.. Obviously if I'm sleeping longer hours less time is available for trolling around the vaults looking for POTD material overnight...Do we recall Blackbushe of old, of recent, or times when your scribe was of a more youthful disposition spending all the spare time he could muster joining the wonderful team who also spent much of their spare time helping AVM Bennett with his endeavours to keep Blackbushe flying. Whatever happens in the future, I'm convinced that all the hours devoted to Blackbushe have not been entirely misspent. I've a head full of memories, I'm the richer for all the wonderful friends and faces that have become part of my life through Blackbushe - sadly many are no longer with us, but their importance and friendship to me will never die. Perhaps a quick glance through the years today? The Eagle offices, Blackbushe Airport
I clearly recall Eagle having their new admin block built close to the A30. It was impossible for me as a mere twig of a lad to imagine that before long this building, and almost everything else would be devasted in the government's haste to remove Blackbushe from the commercial aviation scene. US Navy Super Dakota..US Navy Super Connie and the US Navy hangar
Certain aircraft types, shapes, sounds, epitomised Blackbushe in the fifties. The US Navy being based here produced a terrific amount of military movements making Blackbushe a most unusual form of London airport! Foggy days were Heathrow's loss, Blackbushe's gain!Blackbushe Airport's fog free benefits were legend, amazing collections of diverted airlines would nestle on the Blackbushe tarmac. Main entrance 1950'sJust another day at Blackbushe..
Blackbushe, "The Happy Airport" was a wonderful way of life for many. State airline crew training..
BOAC and BEA fully utilised the benefits of Blackbushe for their crew training programmes. Roadside BlackbusheThe A30 provided the country's most superb airport viewing platform!! Then, May 1960.. "Armageddon" I'm sure I was not the only one to shed tears at the utter destruction that tried to remove the south-east's wonderful airfield from the map? DesolationThen came the years of desolation. An empty airfield, rubble, destruction, opposition, common land, no aeroplanes or almost no aeroplanes as things improved!.. Life amid the carnageLife did come back, and slowly slowly Blackbushe reappeared as far as it was able - we still had an airport called Blackbushe - and that name will always mean so much to those of us left who remember the good days, the bad days, and the ugly days that have lead us to where we are now. Where is that? Time will tell, but hopefully this forum will keep you posted. 1968 Daily Telegraph Air Show"The Airlines of Blackbushe Airport" our sign that ensures Blackbushe's old friends will always be seen where they belong - at Blackbushe!
The past and the future side by side... Enjoy the Bank Holiday... PB
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Post by graham on May 24, 2015 6:28:45 GMT
Morning Peter, thanks so much for your excellent pictorial special for Bank Holiday Sunday, albeit most of the photos are of the desolation following the destruction of Blackbushe. How long after the 1960 demolition was the airport closed for? Was there a trckle of traffic during those years or was the airport totally closed?
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Post by peterbrown on May 24, 2015 11:52:06 GMT
Hi Graham, Sadly after 30 May,1960, aviation came to a complete stop. The 1st June must have been a very quiet day before the demolition gangs arrived and ripped the place to pieces.
AVM Bennett purchased the acres that form today's Blackbushe, but flying was none existent for many months. Once the runways were cleared of debris the Army Air Corp found Blackbushe useful due to the nearness of Sandhurst and Aldershot. Those Beavers brought back some good sounds, not to mention angst from certain residents of Yateley Village....
Once the Blackbushe Aero Club was formed - amazing days - the Piper Cub came over for weekends until it was replaced by the Club's Colt. They could not be left on the Blackbushe wilderness during the week. Risky! By 1962 light aeroplanes might be seen dropping in but on rare occasions. We had the occasional fly-in - I remember one Sunday when we had no less than eight aircraft on the apron at one time. We were all gobsmacked by such numbers, it looked like some major event after the months of emptiness. A few aircraft became home based as the airfield situation stabilised, and it kinda grew ever so slowly over the years. What we see today is a miracle after so many years of adversity, bloody minded planning restraints, nails on the runways, horses, motor bikes, walkers you name it obstructing the runways.
But, what you see today is a fraction of what Blackbushe should be offering to the world of aviation, and the people who should benefit from it.
PB
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Post by peterbrown on May 31, 2015 5:41:44 GMT
Sunday again...Two contributions from the 'one-stop' Forum today. First a regular daily dose of early morning head clearing, followed by my piece written this morning, the 31st of May.. 31 May was a seriously significant day in Blackbushe's history. "Photo of the Day" 28/05/15Another day whereby the inexplicable 'magnetic' forces originating from Blackbushe drag me to the keyboard by 6am. Most unreasonable of Blackbushe I'd say, the need for some extra beauty sleep would no doubt be recognised if this was a webcam presentation..thankfully, it isn't! So tucked into the hunched over keyboard posture, cup of tea steaming alongside, one waits for the inexplicable forces from Blackbushe to lend inspiration, and ... ..looks like we're going back to snaps from long ago fly-ins? Days of wood, steel tube and canvas..Totally unable to put a date on this, early seventies maybe, not important. In those days aeroplanes were more touchy feely things. I guess one manhandled them somewhat more, and canvas covered bodies always felt so good - like so many aeroplanes felt in those days. Note how good it was to see the north of Blackbushe a clear and open space, not the uncontrolled overgrowth that has been allowed to take it over during the past sad years. The Flying FleaIt makes my exploits in the Aeronca 100 look totally civilised! The Pou de Ciel as she was known interprets as "Louse of the skies"...not a confidence building name, but who cares about the name when you have such air conditioned discomfort awaiting you? This was at another ancient fly-in that can be roughly dated by evidence on the right of the picture. The council and their local chums were in the process of destroying the airfield's eastern end as evidenced by the freshly crumbled apron and our white posts with concrete bottoms marking where we thought Vigo Lane was. The posts had a dynamic quality employed as and when necessary, the enemy would try and take every inch of our precious airfield that they could. Conversely, we retaliated on a reciprocal heading.. Vigo Lane. The magic line across the airfield where anything that lay to the east of it had to be subjected to devastation far greater than the Luftwaffe could have hoped to achieve during that tragic period where we and they were on opposing sides. ..and talking of conflict, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight make an impromptu transit through the circuitWe can look forward to one of their precious flock popping into Blackbushe later this summer. ...talking of the Luftwaffe, Blackbushe Air Festival, 1977Carrying the Army's Green Berets parachute team we achieved something Mr Hitler failed to. Serving soldiers parachuted from a JU-52 onto British soil...with JU-52's in suitable colours hanging around the airfield it seemed daft not to use them. The Green Berets were very happy for the experience and Doug Arnold was happy to give me his aeroplane for the occasion. We no longer have the Warbirds of Great Britain resident at Blackbushe, and those wonderful hangars in the background are no longer on Airport land..Today they are full of pre-owned motors waiting to be auctioned off - just a few years ago they were the birthplace of 'new' Spitfires as Doug Arnold's team rebuilt sad and battered Spits into once more the most beautiful aeroplane that mankind could wish for. The one and only Neil Williams, a Spitfire, and BlackbusheHave a good day, one and all.. PB and now "Part Two"... "Photo of the day" 31/05/2015FIFTY FIVE YEARS AGO - TODAY - THIS STOPPEDOur paper's front page carried a small report headed, "Bye, bye Blackbushe"..
Not quite.... although thousands lost their employment, some airlines went out of business, and the nation lost one of its finest assets, Blackbushe was not ready to say, "Bye, bye...". Not quite. Thank you Air Vice Marshal D.C.T. Bennett. You truly saved the airport from total annihilation.Thank you Douglas Arnold. Whatever people might say, you gave us warbirds and kept Blackbushe alive. Thank you BCA, You upgraded the Airport, but took away our hangars...and now, "Thank you" Blink Ltd to whom we turn to the future.
PB After a pair of Vikings departed on 31 May 1960 the final recorded movements on this day were....
US Navy R5D-5, 39120, the very last US Navy movement until the Airport's 50th Anniversary when we invited them back. The Paine's bright red Proctor, G-AHNA, Bee's Flight Auster 5, G-AMPW, and last of all Bristow Helicopters' Westland Widgeon, G-APTE.
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Post by graham on May 31, 2015 8:17:48 GMT
As ever Peter, thanks so much for your hugely knowledgeable and nostalgic look at "old" Blackbushe. When it closed in 1960, what happened to the various airlines that used Blackbushe? You say that some went bust, but I take it some relocated to other airfields/airports? And what about the US Navy, I supposed for them it was a question of moving to another base somewhere on British soil?
I see on the shot of the Flying Flea that there's a stack of helicopters to the left, were these being broken up? I do recall you writing about them on the "other place" before it disappeared into cyberspace.
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Post by peterbrown on May 31, 2015 10:55:08 GMT
Morning Graham..
As you rightly say, a number of Blackbushe based carriers relocated to other airfields, but some just could not survive under their already tenuous states. These were early days in British 'independent' airline operations and at the end of the day survival of the fittest came into play. A major relocation sometimes proved too much. The laws of evolution apply to aviation just as much as they did to remove the dinosaurs from our planet. Airwork moved to Hurn where their military connections thrived. The airline side merged with a number of UK independents including the likes of Air Charter, Morton Air Services, Silver City and Transair to become British United Airways. Eagle moved to Heathrow to take on the likes of BOAC. Dan-Air went to Gatwick and did very nicely until British Airways swallowed them up digesting yet another British competitor.. Orion sadly called a halt to operations by the end of 1960, as did Falcon who collapsed under various concerns over safety.
The US Navy were, shall we say, less than happy as to the way our government closed their 'perfect base'...The story goes that somebody 'forgot' to keep them posted on the closure issue, but surely not? They upped stumps and moved to West Malling initially until the move north to their base at Mildenhall, Suffolk. For the 50th Anniversary of Blackbushe, I invited the US navy to join us for the weekend and happily we had a very shiny US Navy King Air and its crew with us for the entire celebration.
Helicopters. We had a row of unloved Dragonfly's RN retd., that sat on the apron's north side for what seemed like years. I really am not sure where they went but it was good to see the end of them as they created something of an eyesore on an already none too attractive looking Blackbushe.
It may be over half a century since the event of Blackbushe closing, but to many it is still an open wound.
P
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Post by graham on May 31, 2015 13:54:07 GMT
Thanks so much for the details Peter.
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Post by peterbrown on May 31, 2015 14:27:01 GMT
My pleasure Sir!! Just for the record, here's today's "Second edition" of POTD remembering this day, 55 years ago.... Photo of the Day, 31st May, 2015.
Second EditionAs reported in today's 'first edition', the Vickers Viking was the very last commercial airliner to leave Blackbushe Airport before its closure. She may have cold feet in this photo, and who can blame her being forced into a new life away from home..This is the aeroplane whose last take-off from Blackbushe was also the last commercial airline movement as she positioned to a new airfield in West Sussex. A new airfield that still only has one runway. ... on this day in 1960, Orion's G-AHOS had the sad duty of offering the final farewell to the much loved airport known as Blackbushe... Never again would a Viking be seen where at least 31 of the type had been based..
Tragically, the move proved too much, Orion Airways ceased operations by the end of the year. PB
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Post by peterbrown on Jun 6, 2015 22:21:00 GMT
Checking in early, as it's not quite Sunday, but who's counting? Today saw two contributions on the 'one-stop' forum's Photo of the Day today..here they both are. "Photo of the Day" 06/06/15The weekend has made it, or rather we've made it to the weekend, a weekend where in the south we have a sunny disposition - unlike Scotland according to the met charts - but you get what you deserve. Scotland, a beautiful land where in the hands of a few things can turn ugly. It has happened in Europe, it happened at Blackbushe when a few in a position of 'power' exercised what they could to ensure the detriment of our fine airfield. Despite the wielding of influence, and demolition contractors, those who exercised a campaign to destroy Blackbushe as an airfield failed. Not entirely, their damage is still here for all to see, but t'was only for a short while that Blackbushe was void of the sound of aero engines. Recent discussions with regard to who, and what, can operate from our remaining runway shows that small changes would need to be implemented for the airfield to carry light commercial traffic. That is a subject for another day, but over the years we've seen the types with which Blackbushe could offer a service to the public flying in - and out - of Blackbushe with a valuable human cargo aboard. The sound of Rolls Royce turbo props was not limited to the pre 1960 era... KLM City Hopper F-27. Farnborough WeekDash 7 demo, but carried lots of passengers from EGLK, including your scribe..British Air Ferries flew numerous sorties throughout the Blackbushe Air Festival..with high passenger load factorsPassenger carrying Dakotas have not been strangers to Blackbushe since the 1960 closure British Airways came back, plus a useful load!Suits Blackbushe nicelyEmotional moments, the first commercial airline flight into Blackbushe since the 'government pulled the plug' 1962 or..3Another Farnborough Week, Busy Bee at a Busy BB..Delta Air Transport - another Farnborough Week special Talking of Farnborough Week, even SHE came back home! Highly trained Blackbushe ground staff escort passengers from the latest flight from Switzerland - Farnborough WeekKLM City Hopper expresses many peoples opinion on what happened to BlackbusheWhatever people may say, or argue, Blackbushe has the potential to do a lot more than it has...a great deal more! Just needs some oil applied to the creaky bits. PB ...and Let us not forget..
D-Day 6th June, 1944On this day in 1944, Blackbushe based aircraft played a significant role in the D-Day landings. Laying smoke screens to protect our ships, harassing the enemy by bombing strategic targets, our crew performed the most heroic tasks. Not all returned to Blackbushe by the close of day, they paid the ultimate - as did so many - for our peace in Europe, and our safety. "Thank you" seems so little in return.. We will, however, remember them!! PB
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Post by peterbrown on Jun 14, 2015 5:46:36 GMT
Another week in the log book.... "Photo of the Day" 10/06/15As a new day sweeps in across the plains, and planes, of northern Hampshire I look back on yesterday's POTD whereby I mentioned putting Blackbushe's disused runways into action. Whilst void of aeroplanes, or anything else of value, they provide an excellent area in which to continue one's efforts to keep the heart slopping around as best as possible. Logged 2.02 miles in 34.21 minutes which is 16 and a bit minutes per mile. Is that good? No idea, but makes the four minute mile seem a long way off, but I did apparently shed 238 calories according to my onboard technology. Walking the disused runways on the northern half of the airfield continues to be somewhat depressing as you witness the crumbling tarmac and the work of unchecked nature. Old recollections flood back, flights that are now recorded in moth eaten logs, Farnborough Weeks long gone, and the temptation to think what it could become as a revived airfield is never far away.. 01 is fast becoming a weed bed, but at least the old photos are still useable.. Reg Venning guides home based G-AHUG onto 01 in the early sixtiesClint's fabulous photo taken on very short finals to 01Departing 01 in Auster G-APKL..cc 1963. Interesting view of the old infrastructure adjacent to the US Navy hangar. RAF days.....and coming back, same flight as above. Note the dreadful state of the airfield back then,,Wartime infrastructure as seen from a 01 departureLots of memories stored up in those old runways, runways that today are somewhat lonesome affairs when it's just you and your memories. But, I wouldn't be without them! Meeting with Blink again today where no doubt the "ideas" received from the forum will be reviewed. This refers to Blink's invitation to submit our ideas as to how the future Blackbushe might evolve. The window remains open to submit any bright ideas you may wish to share with Blink, as it is to fire questions at them. You know the old expression, "Use it, or loose it..". PB
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Post by peterbrown on Jun 21, 2015 8:45:06 GMT
The Blackbushe forum has reached six months of operation! Time flies, and don't forget that in three months time we will be bringing the 'fly-in' back to Blackbushe. If you'd like to help come the 19 and 20 September, take a look on the Blackbushe 'one-stop' Forum in the Future Events section...meanwhile, here's another day from the past week.. "Photo of the Day" 18/06/15Before I launch into the day's wander down memory lane, and now that I have your undivided attention, I'll grab the moment to encourage you to look at "Future Events" further down the Forum's span. A few words will be found relating to the Blackbushe Fly-in on September 19 & 20 this year. A lot more detail will be posted in the fullness of time, but at this stage we are seeking volunteers to get involved with the proceedings. I'm always optimistic, it's the only way, optimistic that a return payment for my unfailing services to you and our Forum will result in a good show of hands from those who would like to help, or be involved, come September. Before I go any further, please keep in mind that apart from putting Blackbushe back in the 'events calendars' and having a few more aeroplanes in the circuit than usual, the basis of the Blackbushe September Fly-in is to raise funds for the events dedicated charity..Aerobility. You will all be aware of the wonderful work they are doing by bringing the wonders, and escape, offered by flight to many who would otherwise not have realised what their lives could aspire to. I would simply ask that you give thought to this as you read the next paragraph. Thank you. So, there it is... I assume that all our members/guests would like to see an event at Blackbushe after so long a gap from her appearance in the aviation calendars, and your support would motivate the fly-in team considerably toward running this - and maybe future events. This is your chance to be directly involved, for our Forum members to meet other members, have some fun and make some new memories. After reading this perhaps you could take a minute and add your name to the "Future Events" Fly-in thread elsewhere in the Forum. Just leave your name with a, "Yes, I'll help" or a "No, sorry can't help" if you can spare a mo. I appreciate it might not be possible to commit at this stage, but just an indication that you are interested, or may be able to help would be welcome. Either way it will help assess numbers, and, well it'll encourage me with assessing the Forum's value and the value of my time in the past delivering Blackbushe to you personally. Everyday. I look forward to your remarks as invited. I'd certainly like to see some remarks as to whether you're pleased that folk have extracted fingers to actually make things happen, OK? Thanks to simond, Flyboy and Jeff for their show of hands so far..... Your Airport needs you!! Now back to normal. How normal is normal..? While on the subject of "fly-ins" at Blackbushe, let's hope we can recreate the success of the 50th Anniversary when the second day produced somewhere close to 300 visitors.. Some scenes follow from the 1998 celebration when it rained non-stop on Day One, but my suicide was averted on Day Two when the sun shone with all the shine it could muster. Formation aerobatics from Diamond Nine DH style.. Aerobatics Sukhoi style..Pleasure flying, DH style.. The United States Navy celebrated their old base becoming 50 and joined us for the weekend with a crew and an aeroplane. The Royal Air Force sent a couple of chaps down from Cranwell, and a Wessex from t'up north..The Tucanos put on a brilliant display too..The Royal Netherlands Air Force offered us an F-16 for the weekend, sadly declined over noise concerns, but we happily accepted their alternative as demonstrated by Stuart!! Aerobatics courtesy of Gary Numan and the late Norman Lees - and a drop of Airport diesel for the smoke. A gift from Spencer FlackSpit financed by the late David Herrington. My other two other Spitfires were lost in accidents prior to our event.Selected private owners received "a call" from the management..it paid off, they arrived!!Numerous manufacturers displayed their wares... Many hours of phone calls, bartering and delicate negotiation prised some participants into the Blackbushe sun light
It's amazing how many aeroplanes you can accommodate on our grassy acres - let's hope for fair skies and a memorable celebration of Blackbushe this September. It's ours for the taking. See you there... PB
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Post by peterbrown on Jun 28, 2015 10:10:11 GMT
Another week in the log book..another extract from "Photo of the Day". "Photo of the Day" 21/06/15The Longest Day...time flies, the Forum has been up and running for six months, the days are about to shorten. I just hope that the POTD daily 'hits' don't continue to shorten as they are at the moment..perhaps I've simply exhausted all that can be said everyday about a single aerodrome? Do tell me if you think POTD's shelf life is expiring... Meanwhile, back at Blackbushe, we find ourselves wandering around the bits of the Airport that survived the government's axe and the excavators employed by local influences. If you were to walk to the far end of the Terminal Building's first floor corridor and lean out of one of the office windows facing the main apron back in the seventies you may have seen a view like this... Home based singles on the back line, Farnborough visitors occupy the front lineThe steamed chicken of Blackbushe, home based but now long gone as happens to many a chickenThe Red Devils were regulars at Blackbushe long ago, but today shows they are still landing in the press..!! Same apron, another long gone Farnborough Week..Changing times with changing Airport owners..PB
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Post by graham on Jun 28, 2015 16:11:04 GMT
Great shots Peter, and in colour too. Many thanks for this week's "dose" of Blackbushe's history.
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Post by graham on Jun 28, 2015 17:37:35 GMT
I have a shot taken at Biggin Hill circa 1970 of G-ASDA
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Post by peterbrown on Jul 4, 2015 21:40:11 GMT
Another week bites the dust..here's a bit of it from the Blackbushe One-stop Forum's "Photo of the Day".... "Photo of the Day" 03/07/15Today is remarkable! Actually a day at home with no meetings, work assignments, medical appointments, just blue skies outside and the PC inside which will be turned off any minute now. But, for you POTD continues in service bringing coverage from random moments in the life, death and resurrection of Blackbushe. Talking of the resurrection, during the dark days that followed the airfield's inglorious death at the hands of government ministers driving their bulldozers through her heart, interested parties surveyed her acres for the potential value they offered. None less than the Army. With Aldershot just down the road, and the Sandhurst chaps even closer just down the A30, Blackbushe's acres were a tempting possibility. The possibility of an Army air base at the site they had used so many times for trooping flights and hauling the paras in mighty Beverley's was actively considered. Funding, however, drew a line under such ideas. Nevertheless, the Army were regular visitors with Beavers, AOP9s and various rotary devices. An Army team inspect the still intact apron. Locally funded destruction machinery moves in from the east as can be seen..No doubt to the delight of some... Combined forces exercise at BlackbusheBeneath all the trees and scrub land that have taken over most of Blackbushe of late, there lurks a very useful airfield..Fairly routine Blackbushe traffic in the sixties"Noisy, but nice.." The dear old Beaver with her AAC crew cheered up many a day in the sixties when the airfield was desolate in the extreme.The early AAC movements stirred alarm and protests from our nearby 'village', while the local paper carried front page reports of apparent military aircraft sightings on Blackbushe... Happily, Blackbushe has still not lost her 'voice'...although maybe her dignity has suffered somewhat? PB
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Post by graham on Jul 5, 2015 11:56:17 GMT
Cracking photos there Peter. The Beavers always looked like such solid aircraft. Those light choppers are Skeeters I believe? First one I ever saw was on a float in the Basingstoke carnival when I couldn't have been much more than 8 or 9 and I still recall its reg was XM555.
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Post by peterbrown on Jul 12, 2015 5:25:58 GMT
Morning all.. Sunday once again, time for the weekly drop from the 'One-stop' Forum and jet-age Blackbushe.... "Photo of the Day" 09/07/15It's happened again. One of those rare days has dawned and not one appointment in the diary.. No work, no doctor waiting to see me, no fly-in, just another day with hours of daylight and the happy prospect of a new event at Blackbushe next year that is already formulating various shapes betwixt left and right ears. I'm grateful that you have taken this year's fly-in cancellation with good grace. It had to be done, a bit like a steep approach too near the threshold and there isn't time to get it right. You "go round again". We're going round again, should arrive around June next year... Now moving on to the past. Or maybe the future. Both are fashioned around Sir Frank's brilliant creation of a suck, squeeze, burn and whoosh device, the jet engine. The power plant that drives the modern world, and although detested by some who can hear them, our world is a different world to one where the jet had never been created. The format of Blackbushe traffic has changed over the years, especially over the past year or so, as the jet engine powers increasing numbers of our visitors and busy residents. Unlike the piston powered past, the jet offers the aerodynamics chappies the opportunity to bolt their power pods all over the shop. Blackbushe has born witness to this.. you can stick 'em on the backunder the wings, but don't forget the covers are still on..or why not put them on top of the wing?bury them deep insidestick lots of 'em inside the wingsyou can have odd numbersor any number you care forthere's no doubt about it, the jet engine is here to stay..and happily that includes Blackbushe Airport!! Have a powerful day.. PB
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Post by graham on Jul 12, 2015 8:12:30 GMT
Lovely photos Peter, thank you for sharing them here and for your as ever, highly knowledgeable narrative. Thinking about it, the only place where the aircraft designers HAVEN'T placed jet engines is on the ends of the wings but no doubt someone, somewhere will say, "ahh actually....."
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Post by peterbrown on Jul 12, 2015 11:13:23 GMT
"ahh actually....." Pushing the boundary a bit perhaps, but the Fairey Rotodyne had jets on the tips of its rotors... An interesting British innovation in the fifties, but rather too noisy for its own good. Even in the fifties before the British retreated into their double glazed castles to complain should anything threaten their sanctity. Especially if it had wings.
The Rotodyne added to the 'jets' of Blackbushe by dropping in during Farnborough Week, 1959.
Those were THE days!!
PB
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Post by graham on Jul 12, 2015 12:56:50 GMT
Thank you Peter, did the Rotordyne ever fly commercially?
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Post by peterbrown on Jul 19, 2015 9:11:16 GMT
Another week in the log book! "Photo of the Day" 18/07/15If the years are going by too fast, the weeks are disappearing at the speed of light. Another week has been spirited away since the highly enjoyable day last Saturday when the new Aerobility hangar was officially opened. Blessed with strong July sunshine the day was a roaring success, and to help keep this very significant occasion in our minds Aerobility have very kindly sent the following photographs. The Royal Air Force Memorial Flight opened the airborne activity with a two Spitfire display that must have stirred the hearts of all who were lucky enough to witness itBrigadier Neil Sexton of the Army Air Corps cuts the ribbon declaring the superb new hangar "open"The Aerobility Yak entertained all who attended last Saturday's eventThe Fox glider demonstrated how much you can extract from the potential energy supplied by some altitude and a sailplane that is both strong, highly aerobatic and efficient. A couple of Aerobility aircraft pose above their resplendent Blackbushe base
A truly memorable day that served to show the wonderful work Aerobility are doing to bring achievement, self satisfaction and pure joy into the lives of the injured and handicapped. PB
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