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Post by peterbrown on Jan 24, 2016 0:20:37 GMT
Thanks to young Bill for his remarks! Glad the new Blackbushe Forum is keeping up with what we managed before somebody pulled the plug on Blackbushe elsewhere.... Hopefully we'll continue to scrape new stories on the old Blackbushe subject for a while longer.
Could not agree more about another gathering at BB. Maybe once I have a definite answer on what I can do with the airport re my Air Day plan we can meet up. Perhaps some new ideas, perhaps some volunteers??
The next 'management' meeting is early February...
Meanwhile, some more reflections on days gone by... "Photo of the Day" 21/01/16As the clock struggles toward 06.00 "POTD" continues its slavish devotion to the happy band of followers "out there"... It is actually half of one degree centigrade above freezing at the moment on the far side of the front door, the Siberian high seems to have been short lasting this time round. Anyway, that's your met ob for today. Spring comes to mind as the temperature soars upwards, and with spring one's hopes of doing an event at Blackbushe this year. My hands remain firmly tied to decisions from far higher up the ladder, plans lie on sheets of paper, fingers crossed, it's not easy doing things at Blackbushe. But, we can always look back onto times when we were less controlled, as it were, when it came to playing with planes at 'LK... Flour bombing always went down well, especially as I came close to winning on one occasion!The Red Arrows gave us spectacular displays, even giving the old heath of Blackbushe east a good blasting. The blasted heath, indeed...or in the days when we had hangars, even the one's we built ourselves, exciting projects grew to fulfillment. Robinson Aviation's Avro 504 replica, for example....and talking of the blasted heath..Last week, I think it was, I shared with you the good news that the ghastly scrub on the disused Blackbushe east in line with runway 07 had been cleared removing obstructions to aviation and also providing something of an overrun. Well, the news is about as good as we can hope for in that the clearance was done in conjunction with the Blackbushe Airport air traffic authority. Namely, the scrub had grown to the point of being a danger, and the Tower no longer had sufficient view of the area. If only such co-operation had prevailed in years gone by.. It's getting late, the Weetabix are awaiting... PB
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Post by Jeff on Jan 24, 2016 9:54:45 GMT
Another great post Peter, that Gnat look very low and I have a feeling the spectators it heading for are about to hit the deck :-)
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Post by peterbrown on Jan 31, 2016 6:20:34 GMT
The Blackbushe "One-Stop" Forum leaves its weekly offering of memories from the Airport's illustrious past.
I have just launched a new section within the "One-Stop" Forum under the heading of "Blackbushe Artefacts". It will hopefully serve as a bit of a museum piece where events and infrastructure will be brought together for 'at a glance' visibility rather than being lost amid pages of 'Photo of the Day' and such like.
Most importantly, Stuart has just completed his marathon work compiling wartime squadrons, aircraft, people etc under the Blackbushe goes to War department. Do take a look and let others know about it, Stuart has opened the doors to much long forgotten - or unknown - history of desperate times when we stood before the Nazi regime's plans to wipe us off the map.
Here's this week's extract from "Photo of the Day"... "Photo of the Day" 25/01/16Looking at the ever growing number of lakes appearing due to gravel extraction around Blackbushe one is inclined to think that a return of the US Navy to their old base would not be inappropriate.. The amphibian was no stranger to the airfield that was not only a major London airport, but also the US Navy's only air base in the United Kingdom. United States Navy Grumman Albatross lumbers across the apron, also providing another view of Blackbushe Tower in her latter days...Netherland's Navy Martin Mariner splashed her way into Blackbushe, Farnborough Week, 1957..It was not only the military who could float as well as fly. Shell's immaculate Short Sealand VR-UDV was at Blackbushe in September, 1955....or the Grumman Mallard of M Boussac, a horse racing supremo. "King of the French Turf" as he was known. This photo taken at Blackbushe in 1949...others paid their respects, but simply could not land. Wheels would have assisted, but when you have none..?There we have it, a few more moments from an almost forgotten past...at least Blackbushe has managed to keep her head above water. Just. PB
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Post by billsamuels on Jan 31, 2016 9:53:18 GMT
Superb Pierre,
You still keep pulling things out of the hat... And long may it continue....
Cheers mate.
Bill
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Post by graham on Jan 31, 2016 12:24:41 GMT
Fabulous shot of the Princess Peter, what a stunning and solid looking machine.
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Post by Jeff on Jan 31, 2016 14:51:23 GMT
The Princess is surely the most beautiful aircraft ever constructed, thanks for posting Peter
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Post by graham on Jan 31, 2016 16:24:21 GMT
Knowing zero about flying boats as I do Peter, I see there's a lower run of portholes/windows. Did she have two decks?
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Post by peterbrown on Jan 31, 2016 18:06:38 GMT
Hi Graham... Two decks, the Princess was designed to offer a level of comfort - and space - that would lure passengers from the trans Atlantic liners to the "speed" of new fangled long haul air travel. A terrific concept that sadly went the way of the Brabazon. The scrap yard. The Princess, however, was the epitome of elegance in the air as her fly-past at Blackbushe suggests.
Thanks guys.. PB
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Post by graham on Jan 31, 2016 18:31:54 GMT
Many thanks Peter.
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Post by peterbrown on Feb 6, 2016 21:12:51 GMT
Running a bit ahead of schedule this week, Sunday sees a very serious birthday - I guess it's better to make it than not!!
POTD has been focused on the Terminal this week, check out today's edition if you like seeing precious airport buildings being destroyed..
Meanwhile, earlier in the week..."Photo of the Day" 03/02/1605.30. Another day at POTD Towers. A day when the car is frozen solid and the black sky is full of blazing electric blue gems - the universe appears live and well! Talking of towers and gems. Our old control tower at Blackbushe was a bit of a gem, although opinions have been known to vary...I'll have no more insults thrown at the b****y tower having as a mere stripling of a lad been press ganged by the airport owner to risk life and limb in its construction. Carrying quantities of steel up a bendy ladder followed by one's own form of ballet in order to remain on the Terminal roof brings back memories of vertigo and uncertainty as to my future well being. On the basis of what goes up must come down, today we say a photographic "farewell" to the old tower... Those who "did time" in the tower will well remember the means of access.."The Hatch" awaits...There she is on her final day, the end is just beginning..The tower is now closed.Going, going....GONE!!! HOW did Stuart get to his office, or was he already there??Nothing in life is permanent, although it has to be said that the old tower proved to much more permanent than was expected when "we" built it in 1962. Reg Gregory, more than anyone, would have ascended the stairway to the hatch to perform the necessary gymnastics once atop so as not to instantly yield to gravity. One then closed the hatch to prevent further borders, and the draught, or an unplanned descent. Should you have happened to be standing on the hatch when someone below tried to open it you stood the chance of being propelled upwards - even closer to heaven. Talking of heaven... Maybe Reg was looking down on the above proceedings? T'was he, out of the many who served in the Tower, who served longest and became truly 'the voice of the 'bushe'.Rest well dear Reg, I'm sure you'll have St Peter's angelic traffic fully 'reg'-imented??? The hatch has now closed for all time.. the time to remember with due reverence, please. PB Stuart's answer to the office access question.... blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/3466
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Post by graham on Feb 7, 2016 10:30:14 GMT
Morning Peter, with all due respect to your old tower, I have to say that some of the sheds on the local allotments look to have been in better condition, and somewhat sturdier!
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Post by graham on Feb 7, 2016 18:13:10 GMT
...and might I add a very Happy Birthday to you from all at AFA!!
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Post by peterbrown on Feb 14, 2016 7:00:38 GMT
Not much on the POTD front this week, birthday's, and various other distractions.. This is from a couple of days back.. (Tks for the good wishes Graham! A most excellent day it was too.)"Photo of the Day" 13/02/16Morning, just dropped in for a flying visit, should be back to the 'daily' "POTD" next week... Thought I'd share the photo I uncovered last night while sifting through the mountains of material that need to be sifted... The shot below is from Roger Russell's collection that I received after his untimely loss in the Invader. The days of the US Navy and FASRON 200 at BlackbusheRoger wrote these words on the back of the photo, "R5D-4 of VR-24 (US Navy squadron) at Blackbushe - 56538 ex 43-17236 (USAF). Beech Expeditor and Fairchild Packet in background"Blackbushe's past hides many memories... PB
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Post by Jeff on Feb 14, 2016 18:44:35 GMT
Another great post peter :-) many thanks
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Post by peterbrown on Feb 20, 2016 20:40:43 GMT
Another snippet from the Blackbushe Forum..."Photo of the Day" 16/02/16"POTD" continues with the "now you see me, now you don't" situation a little longer. The staff will be heading to the frozen north at the crack of sparrows tomorrow, so we'll be off the air once again.. However, today the POTD staff are having their morning meeting before going to print. As it were. Talking of meetings, I had several at Blackbushe yesterday in pursuit of the planned July Blackbushe Air Day. I doubt it has anything to do with my regular moan about the awful state of the council operated and disused Blackbushe "east" - or the common - but, the view of large numbers of trees being felled was good on the eyes. I assume part of the clearance operation by Hampshire and IoW Wildlife Trust that has included areas north of the main runway as well as the Blackbushe "east" common, and been responsible for numerous columns of smoke rising from the long lost Blackbushe hinterland. It may well be work carried out in the interest of some rare wildlife, but it's a good to see care being taken of the old aerodrome..for whatever reason. Should you be passing Blackbushe, or dropping in for refreshment at The Bushe Cafe, or even flying, you cannot help but notice the start of the programme to improve the visual amenities of the Terminal area. The road frontage has been ripped out prior to new fencing, planting, and replacement of the odd bit signage that presently confronts all who cast a gaze toward the main car park as they pass by. The car park will also enjoy enhancement. Great to see - at last - the airfield receiving some loving care and attention. Being of a certain vintage, the POTD staff who are currently strapped to this computer keyboard, well recall the sights that were once offered by aeroplanes of all shapes and sizes being parked close to the A30 when Blackbushe was a government airfield. Apart from the odd prickly bush, no trees dared to show their faces to block our view of these wonderful machines..For those who are not of a "certain vintage", and as a reminder for those who are, scan your eyes below and imagine driving down the A30 sometime in the fifties... Just a taste of the delights that awaited from roadside Blackbushe before the government decided to take it away. The above shots are all on the currently operational Blackbushe north of the A30. Views, of course, were to be had in all directions. Hopefully, regardless of one's vintage, the above stir thoughts of the value of Blackbushe yesterday, today, and perhaps tomorrow? Happy recollections to all of a 'certain vintage'..... Perhaps you of a younger vintage will see something of what made Blackbushe so special to those of us who remember? Please feel free to leave a comment if the above means anything to you. Always good to have an exchange of feelings on such matters.... PB The comments... blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/3538blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/3542blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/3543blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/3544Thanks guys!!
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Post by graham on Feb 21, 2016 10:39:24 GMT
A wonderful and evocative selection of shots Peter. Although I was born in the late 50s, I recall that my Dad would often drive from Basingstoke where the family lived to see an Aunt and Uncle who lived somewhere around Yateley and I have distant and partial memories of seeing planes parked by the A30 there at Blackbushe. In fact they are the earliest conscious memories I have, it's odd how you forget 99.9% of everything you experience at such an early age yet I do remember seeing the planes there and on more than one occasion.
And of course, most of us "view" the 50s and 60s through black and white photos, so it is always wonderful to see photographs taken 50 or 60 years ago in colour which bring the entire era back to life again.
Love the Connie, the BOAC Brit and that beautifully turned out Hunter. Thanks as always for such a fantastic photographic pictorial of "those far off days". And I'm sure all at AFA wish you and your colleagues all the very best with regard to the proposed show this year.
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Post by peterbrown on Feb 28, 2016 7:00:23 GMT
Another bite sized offering from the One-Stop Forum and part of Blackbushe that has truly gone to the dogs..."Photo of the Day" 27/02/16Students of "POTD" will know that from time to time I venture - for the benefits of health and nostalgia - into the uncharted territory referred to as "Blackbushe east", but more commonly known as Yateley Common. POTD students will, providing their studies have been diligent enough, know that my forays into the wilds of Blackbushe east are littered with potential hazards. Or rather Blackbushe east is littered with them. A particular, and extraordinarily unpleasant such hazard, is the type that squelches under foot and subsequently adheres to your footwear regardless of how much you try and scuff it off on the nearest clump of grass..I refer, of course, to the canine Mk1 landmine which can lie in situ waiting the passing wanderer for probably some days before it becomes 'disarmed' enough not to be a problem. They are masters of camouflage too blending in nicely with the twisted undergrowth that now represents Blackbushe east... Sometimes you don't realise you've been 'snared' until returning to the confines of one's car. It becomes obvious soon after that all is not well... Sadly, this form of canine carelessness shows no sign of being withdrawn from what was the east end of London's second airport... However, there are some canines that are more than welcome on Blackbushe's acres. I refer this morning to Beagles.... Home based Beagle of the Steam Chicken Line. The brave new Beagle 206 that tried the world's twin market..but Piper, Cessna, Beech..the old story.Long time ago...The Beagle Airedale..Sort of tricycle Auster but nice aeroplane. Flew with the one and only Ranald Porteous in her. Ranald being the world's most 'prolific' Auster demo pilot..Attending the Blackushe Airport "Re-opening Air Display" in October, 1962.Attending the Blackbushe 50th Anniversary celebrations in 1992.Is this not the airframe that now resides outside Farnborough's FAST Museum??Sort finals 08. No earth bank to avoid then...Three Counties Aero Club's Beagle Terrier G-ARXL dropping a deposit in the "fun" times.. Your scribe's arm having just released the weapon as it heads for max points!!. This Beagle could bite if not handled right!Another 206. Smoking didn't harm everyone it would seem...Big "Mo" feeds a hungry Beagle..Two Beagles...Tricycle and quad legged versions.Note the good condition the Terminal was in, and also the apron is just being torn up by the dark forces. Oh happy days in the 1960's. Actually, they were incredibly happy days despite the obscene damage being inflicted.. Terrier from BEAS Kidlington at one of our ancient fly-ins...One of those perfect summer days, apart from the dark forces destroying Blackbushe east at the time..Primitive times, very early sixties. Dr Hocking would fly in from White Waltham quite often on those bleak Sundays. As we toiled to help clear 'the mess' his visits were legend actually having an aeroplane on Blackbushe!! No tower, no nothing then, just raw enthusiasm to help the Blackbushe cause.I'm now boss eyed searching for Beagle bits. If you should walk on Blackbushe east do so with great caution, it may not only be aircraft noise footprints that effect you... Bye for now..
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Post by graham on Feb 28, 2016 17:21:05 GMT
Lovely selection of shots as ever Peter. I'm sure this has been mentioned previously but didn't G-ARZR end up in Folkestone harbour, in 1967/68 I think?
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Post by peterbrown on Feb 28, 2016 22:19:18 GMT
Hi Graham
Yes indeed. Quoting a TV advert of some years back, the unfortunate Beagle landed in the drink following "a Condor moment...".
P
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Post by graham on Feb 29, 2016 6:56:42 GMT
Thanks Peter, a couple of us on AFA remember seeing her. We were travelling to Switzerland on a school trip and arrived at Folkestone for onward travel to Boulougne (?)via ferry and the plane was bobbing around in the harbour
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Post by peterbrown on Mar 6, 2016 6:48:20 GMT
Could not let yesterday's 80th Anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight go unmarked, especially as she and Blackbushe have been linked for many years... "RJ" is giving a talk at the Bushe Cafe this week on Blackbushe's past. Not to be missed!! 9th March at 19.00."Photo of the Day" 05/03/1606.00 and much pressure on time as I have to leave for LHR. However, today marks a birthday that I cannot pass by without a One-Stop Forum salute to an icon of the 20th Century - and onward into the 21st!! 5th March, 2016, the 80th birthday of the Spitfire's first flight... Throughout her lifetime the Spitfire has been no stranger to Blackbushe. During the war we had resident squadrons including the famous 'pink' Spit used for high altitude recce work. After the war Spitfires would be in and out of Blackbushe. RAE spitfires flying circuits, Rolls Royce's G-ALGT, RAF units, and delivery flights to foreign air forces. After Blackbushe was closed in 1960 private ownership witnessed Spitfire movements now and again, at our air displays we had Spits which gave me the incredible chance to have Spitfires flying for me!! We had three Spits lined up for the Blackbushe 50th, sadly one had a fatal accident before the event and another broke its prop, but one made it to salute our 50th birthday - along with a Mustang. Pure emotional magic came down that day.. Most unexpected perhaps was the setting up of a Spitfire 'production line' thanks to Doug Arnold's Blackbushe based Warbirds of Great Britain. Here we saw numerous Spitfires brought back to life and play their Merlin magic around our circuit many times. The late great Charles Church always supported our events by giving a Spitfire for all to gaze at. The Spitfire lives on, although many of us do not. Neil Williams was the smoothest Spitfire aerobatic pilot, our UK aerobatic champion, he made the Spitfire in the air the smoothest cleanest performing aerial vehicle you could imagine...His displays were legend. BBMF 1970'sHome based Spitfire of Warbirds of Great BritainNeil Williams and SpitfireCharles Church Spitfire at Great Blackbushe Aviators' Weekend...my better half in the hot seat.Spitfire production line..Warbirds of Great Britain, Blackbushe.Blackbushe 50th Anniversary..1992Spitfire partnership..Doug and his classic Spit.BBMF Blackbushe last summer, with a few words I wrote to mark the Battle of Britain's 75thFly on dear Spitfire, our love for you is undiminished... she'll be back at Blackbushe in July. PB No doubt RJ's talk next week will have more on the Spitfire at Blackbushe during the war years. "RJ"..perfect initials for the day!!
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Post by graham on Mar 6, 2016 7:35:57 GMT
Fabulous Peter, many thanks as ever. Quite fitting that there was a programme featuring Guy Martin on TV last night and his help given in the rebuilding of a Spitfire at Duxford, followed by a documentary about the airplane in general, from its conception through to its finest hours during the Battle of Britain. All wonderful stuff.
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Post by peterbrown on Mar 13, 2016 7:16:33 GMT
This week's flavour of the past from Blackbushe's "One-Stop" forum...."Photo of the Day" 12/03/16From a fog shrouded north Hampshire we can but hope that July 30th does not offer such obscured vision! July 30th, the first Blackbushe Air Day is not proving the most straight forward of operations as the clock ticks relentlessly forward. Many hurdles have been jumped, and I am totally determined that we will have an interesting day with our fly-in, varied static park, and contests... The CAA's new rules, restrictions (and costs!!!) and Shoreham's events have put an end to many ideas for this year. (Not to mention the cancellation of numerous flying events elsewhere this year). Never defeated, Blackbushe will be opening her gates to the public, an open day to meet the flying schools, pilots, get a close up look at rare aeroplanes, win prizes, and hopefully realise a little more the true value of Blackbushe as an airfield, not just a haven for car dealers... We now have an under writer to take some of the stresses out of our systems!! This note written simply to let those who are interested that much work is going on behind the scenes... Today I'll be writing lots of Air Day stuff - procedures, web site material, & briefings (?), the Air Day website will be open soon, and our info flyers will be flying out of the hangar before long.. I hope much support will come from our members come the day. The bottom line of the Air Day is to raise funds for Aerobility, our charity. Aerobility do so much to help disabled and injured personnel, particularly injured service personnel, to reach out and discover the joy, achievement and liberation that are unique to the freedom that awaits in the sky. Come the day, you can become a part of our event, and believe me you'll be needed!! If we can raise funds for Aerobility, while putting on a fun and interesting day that puts Blackbushe more into the public and aviation view points together we will achieve our objectives. A volunteer section will be open on the Forum in the near future... For now though, we'll slide back into the past when Blackbushe was a major civil airport, number two for London, and being so near to the home of the British Army, a regular port of call for service personnel and their families as they moved around the world.. Military families arrive back in the UK as they leave their Blackbushe based Britavia Hermes and tread the famous Blackbushe tarmac..That's all for today, it's time to start writing!! Have a nice day.. PB
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Post by billsamuels on Mar 13, 2016 9:11:45 GMT
Hi Pete,
Put me down as a volunteer, Malc James is another willing helper... Would you like other volunteers to contact you directly or just voice their willingness on here?
Cheers.
Bill
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Post by peterbrown on Mar 14, 2016 16:07:27 GMT
Much appreciated Sir William... If you can muster a gang of bodies willing to slave and give their all I'd be happy if you round 'em up on here, or herd them in the right direction. What I will do is open up the Air Day "volunteers" section on the One-Stop Forum in the next hour or so.
If you could encourage man or woman power in that direction my gratitude will err, well I'll be delighted!!
Many thanks..Lots of new Blackbushe will be appearing in our "Photo of the Day" over the coming weeks.. stay tuned!
Thanks Bill PB
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Post by peterbrown on Mar 14, 2016 16:35:31 GMT
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Post by peterbrown on Mar 20, 2016 7:02:01 GMT
Another week zooms by...another offering from the One-Stop lot!!"Photo of the Day" 14/03/16Monday morning. 06.00. Once the time when the Brown grey cell had to climb out of bed and convince its owner that going to the Monday meeting was necessary for their survival..Today the same combination of self and grey cell may enjoy the luxury of allowing survival, the future, and much everything else to take a rear seat while we slip back into the comfort of hallowed yesterday's at Blackbushe, yesterday's before the government's wrecking squad did all they could to flatten what had grown into London's second airport. But, dear friend, afore we slip into the realms of dreams forgotten..a glance at one of today's aspects that may be endured upon 21st Century Blackbushe. March, 2016...forsooth, how long must this bloody carbuncle, such bitter irony, this stain upon mans' senses be endured as such tortured vision of our Kingdom's once revered and second airport remain, in time second only to the plains of Heathrow of Middlesex whereby the Mayoral Boris would too inflict closure were to his want..??Sorry, the Bard just tapped upon my shoulder. I wonder how he would tackle some of today's issues, like leaving an airport half destroyed for no particular purpose?? Anyway, moving backwards... Nord Noratlas, French Air Force, Blackbushe September, 1954. Look, if you will, at the vast array of visiting aircraft beyond... THAT is the real Blackbushe in action!Just another Day...BOAC Argonaut G-ALHK "Atalanta" trundles down the taxiway parallel with the A30 trunk road. September, 1954, and where else could you see the action this close?Lockheed Learstar D-CAFU, in company with RAF Anson TX209. September, 1956.Yugoslav Air Force and the classic lines of their Dakota, 7317, as seen on the Blackbushe apron September, 1958.Thereby ends today's step into the past, time to down the quill and find the Weetabix. Today's photos just the start of our mighty venture into days gone by thanks to "RJ" and the zillions of photos he has entrusted me with. The vaults will soon be overflowing.. Have a nice Monday, PB
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Post by graham on Mar 20, 2016 18:42:20 GMT
Lovely shots Peter, many thanks
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Post by peterbrown on Mar 27, 2016 7:00:11 GMT
Easter Greetings from the One-Stop sister ship...
"rj" has organised on a walk on disused Blackbushe "east" today, Easter Sunday. He'll be meeting by the "Airlines of Blackbushe Airport" sign at 14.00 if anybody would care to join the journey around the east end of the airfield, destroyed by local pressures...
Meanwhile some new views of Blackbushe follow here.... "Photo of the Day" 25/03/16The Easter Weekend has arrived with sunshine, 12C at the moment, and a cloudless sky. Great!. It won't last. Looks like being busy weekend here at One-Stop Towers, with an international flavour as friends from Australia and Canada descend within hours of each other... Now, as you will know, "rj" is planning a walk on Blackbushe "east" this weekend and has invited all to join him for a ramble on the wild side. As readers of the "POTD" series will know, your editor has strong feelings as to the state of disused Blackbushe "east", the valuable end of the Airport defaced and dug-up by forces alien to aviation. I won't start on that now, but perhaps a few photos will help in planning the walking route around the wilderness that once was London's second airport.. Blackbushe Airport, 1982.The above photo shows the Terminal Building as it was before BCA took over, and before Hampshire County Council allowed their section to rot. The photo clearly shows how much is on current Airport land, with the majority being on common land. For so much of the Terminal to have been destroyed by the County Council when it was offered good use by the Airport is beyond belief. However, if you look at the top right of the photo you can just make out the edge of the old apron. Again, you can see what a large percentage of the main apron was destroyed by hostile forces, again they were offered a generous exchange programme to preserve this vital part of the Airport's infrastructure. But no, they dug it up and today it is just a shambles... The apron boundary goes round and meets with the track that leads from the Terminal to the top right of our picture. It leads to the holding point for runway 32 which the local powers also excavated. (as much as they could, some bits were too tough and remain in place today.). This can be used as a good start for a walk into the wilderness.. The view from the north, with Blackbushe "south" across the A30, the London- Southampton trunk road.You can clearly see from this photo how walking along the track from the Terminal it will take a turn to the left leading out of shot. Where this turn starts is where you could do a sharp right and move to where aircraft were towed across the A30 to the engineering bases on Blackbushe "south"... In 1982 the clearing to the A30 crossing was obvious, today not so sure??? If you follow this route across the A30 the area to the left of the immediate taxiway was the site of Falcon Airways/Britavia's hangar... Britavia/Falcon Airways/Silver City..big names that once used this hangar..Runway 19 is just in view here as it crossed the A30. Stirlings needed the length...A runway ran through it...A solo walk earlier this week grabbed some spring sunshine, and a stroll down what is almost an extension of the main runway at Blackbushe. Those who read my blurb will recall I recently suggested some areas on Blackbushe "east" would be useful in the event of engine failure. This is a prime example of where once the main runway lay and the chance of an emergency landing remains... There is only one bit of scrub between this and the existing main runway, how good would it be to at least see this bit added to the airfield once more? Dream on...little chance, maybe more chance of pigs joining the circuit. Remove the scrub and a great additional safety margin opens up....and still plenty of land for the planting of canine land mines! Walkers beware!! Ooops, see what I mean?You never know what you might find on Blackbushe "east"... Ooops see what I mean two??The above was a result of aquaplaning, and just avoiding recording an aircraft movement on Blackbushe "east"... Not just aeroplanes you'll find on Blackbushe "east"...Runway's end today. No more barbed wire to catch those for whom the current tarmac is not long enough...Runway's end looking east as it is today. The hazard of trees kindly removed! Enjoy the walk Rob, mind how you go, don't sink into the history..or let it bite you!! Blackbushe residents....all part of the hissstoryThere may be ghosts too??Happy and peaceful Easter to all our members and guests! PB
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Post by peterbrown on Apr 3, 2016 5:32:51 GMT
This week's offering from the Blackbushe One-Stop Forum has arrived... "Photo of the Day" 30/03/16Running a bit later than usual, the day's schedule is all at sea, but better late than never. My view point, at least... Talking of being 'all at sea', Blackbushe's history has served the land, the air and the sea... Most significantly, so far as the sea is concerned, being the United States Navy building its UK air base at Blackbushe, the US Navy's only such air base in the United Kingdom. Easy to get to, quick access from London, just what the Navy needed. Good place for an airport... The Neptune became a very familiar shape at Blackbushe until 1960 when closure forced them to move out, initially to West Malling and then north to Mildenhall.. Just three of the many Neptunes to lodge at Blackbushe...The US Navy hangar making a solid backdrop. The Neptunes duties included the daily pursuit and tracking of Soviet vessels and submarines, the Cold War was warming up.. I doubt many local observers knew of their mission purposes as these elegant aircraft headed far away from the Blackbushe circuit. The Royal Navy was one of numerous navies to use Blackbushe. A couple of FAA Sky Raiders thoughtfully saving Blackbushe space during Farnborough Week in the fifties..Numerous amphibeous navy types sailed through Blackbushe, Gannet, Catalinas, Albatross, Mariner, not to mention the many naval aircraft that were best not to land on water. Douglas transports, the Mercator etc etc.. the largest of which was the Lockheed WV-2's that were quite often seen taking a break at Blackbushe on their global operations... Lockheed WV-2..the 01/19 runway that crossed the A30 was a popular place to park these monster machines. The area that today is a light aircraft tie down zone.Having seen some of the WV-2 aircraft at Blackbushe, I can say that they really stand out in the memory! Hard to forget, they looked vast, and often with strange radar buckets and blisters they made quite a sinister spectacle for the many motorists passing by on the A30 London-Southampton trunk road. The A30 was, in those days, the dividing line between Blackbushe "north" and Blackbushe "south". Time for my dividing line...catch up soon, PB
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