PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
28/0415

With the clock swinging past the six am point it's time to dig out another serving of yesterdays to accompany the cornflakes.. One's typing skills increasingly hampered by worn out keys with the letters L and A completely worn away. They are both part of Blackbushe so probably are suffering from overuse and being at each end of the keyboard probably receive an over zealous bash from the semi controlled actions of my fingers. Onwards, I can still make out most the alphabetic array..

Hopefully, most of the faithful followers of this production that has become known as "Photo of the Day" will recall that a nation known as the United States of America found a very satisfactory 'harbour' in the shape of Blackbushe. It was until 1960, the United States Navy's only operational base in the UK, it being close enough to London to serve the needs of HQ, and large enough to handle the largest of Navy aeroplanes... The USAF and US Army were no strangers to Blackbushe, but the Navy found Blackbushe a perfectly located strategic base.


US Navy R4D-6 of FASRON 200, 172226.



Neptune passes through in 1959

The mighty US Navy hangar was built on the north-eastern corner of the Airport. Large enough to house two of the US Navy Super Constellations, and always surrounded by an array of home based and visiting US military aircraft, the Navy and their hangar provided a significant increase in Blackbushe's 'interest factor'. The loss of Blackbushe was a dreadful blow to many of the home based airlines, it was an equally bad blow for the Americans who, apparently, were not informed properly as to the demise of their base - the AVM made bids to secure the US Navy hangar, bids that fell on stoney ground.


Super Connie, 145936, or should I say Lockheed WV-2 rests with her nose looking into the US Navy's massive hangar


The point rumbling around the grey cell this morning is this...Following its closure in May 1960, Blackbushe had just two significant structures left standing within a couple of months. One was the Terminal, part of which survives to this day, the other was the US Navy hangar that lasted until the seventies. AVM Bennett thankfully secured the current 360 acres of operational Blackbushe, although most of that has been allowed to fall into disrepair or taken over for car auction purposes. The AVM's territory included the Terminal, but not the US Navy hangar.

Imagine, if you will, the benefits the airfield would have felt had the AVM been successful and kept the US Navy hangar for aviation, and the east end of the airport had not been desecrated by the actions of a few who had perhaps other plans for the old airfield..


The cavernous contents of another part of our aerodrome lost for all time, with a few residents taking the sun outside..

Reality is sometimes like a bad dream, and in this case it's a nightmare. Imagine, I do, if we had retained a bit more of the airfield and having a hangar like this. Rather than sitting out in all weather, year after year, our precious home based light aircraft would have been safe and not - as in some cases - blown across the freshly mashed up common land suffering extensive damage from the mounds of broken tarmac and concrete left by the anti aviation powers.. Well, the chance was taken away long ago, but it still haunts me and what might have been still lingers in my mind - and probably will until my dieing day.

That's enough from me. Cornflakes time, with a dusting of memories and a spoonful of hope for the future of the aerodrome known as Blackbushe.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
29/04/15

Today's photo kind of epitomises what Blackbushe was to those who enjoyed her variety of offerings prior to 1960. An airfield with excellent weather, convenient for London - even before it had the nearby M3 Motorway built - and with all the facilities of a major airport, GCA, full ATC, Customs, hangarage, passenger facilities, engineering..all the things it no longer has.

Many military aircraft started their post war ferry flights to new owners from Blackbushe. Lincolns, Mosquitoes, Spitfires etc etc, a long runway with HM Customs 'at the end of it' proved valuable assets to the manufacturers and aircrew shipping aircraft abroad. These were the days, of course, when Great Britain manufactured aeroplanes, and flaming good ones at that!!

Sadly we no longer make aeroplanes, and Blackbushe is but a shadow of what it used to be in aviation terms, but we can cling on to old memories, photographs, and maybe hope that one day the value of Blackbushe as an airfield will register in someone's eyes??

So, looking back onto just one example of the interest Blackbushe could offer pre 1960...



Hawkers were down the road at Dunsfold. Long before boy racers from the BBC wrecked beautiful cars in exchange for a fat salary on Dunsfold's runway it was home to aeroplanes like the Hunter. Nothing could have been easier if you were popping over to Paris for the Air Show than to clear Customs at Blackbushe. Here Hunter T7 XJ627 resides on the 01/19 stub by the A30 on 5th June, 1957 inbound from the Paris Air Show prior to slipping over the Surrey countryside and going home to Dunsfold.

Such an aeroplane arriving today would yield a valuable landing fee to the airfield operators. Obviously such an event will not happen, but I do wonder what the future holds for flying at the old airfield now that its owners have claimed the last of the magnificent Arnold hangars back from aviation use and are now filling them with used motors.. From the Terminal car park the old place looks busy enough, but I have a growing fear that the accountants are going to be getting their calculators out if the flying side of Blackbushe has to keep its head above water?? Just a passing concern...

PB

[PB]

Photo of the Day"
30/04/15

Nothing 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 sortie

YU 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

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
01/05/15

An early start today dictates the need for brevity. However, the moment cannot be allowed to pass so a quick wander around the old pre 1960 Blackbushe apron..


One of Eagle's large fleet of Vikings.

Sadly all have passed. The aeroplane, the east end of the Terminal and the tarmac Eagle's Viking stands upon.


Another day, another Viking - I think one of the Independent fleet.


..and a typical day at Blackbushe, sadly long ago.

Dan-Air Ambassador with Pegasus Viking hiding behind.

Must fly, duty calls..
PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
02/05/15

It must be the advancing years, but time seems to be going through several 'warp factors'..is is really May Bank Holiday already? I suppose it must be, but time seems to be a slippery customer of late!

Talking of time, and May Bank Hols, I spent May Day earning some extra gold and had not a moment to reflect upon maypole dancing or any other such English pastime. However, in a slightly more relaxed mode, looking back on Blackbushe movements on May 1st seemed an idea for today..The list is huge from 1946-1960, but this one took my fancy and so I share it with you this morning....


Sea Otter XY-ABT at Blackbushe 1st May, 1949.

The photo is one of many bequeathed to me my dear friend Gordon Wilmer. Sadly I cannot discuss it, or any others with him any longer, but his notes state that this was one of five Sea Otters for delivery to Burma. Looking at "RJ's" records I note that this is Britavia's ex G-AJFV..

Interestingly I am currently reading "Spitfire Girl, my life in the Sky", by Jackie Moggridge. One of those astounding ATA girls who flew everything in all weathers to keep the RAF squadrons topped up with aeroplanes during the war. Wonderfully written, never a dull moment, I would recommend this for a satisfying read. Jackie flew a number of Spitfires to Burma after WW2 which leads me to think that today's Sea Otter may well have been delivered by someone of a similar background? No idea who the lady in the photo is.

Moving forward to December, 1949, another of the many delivery flights that originated from post-war Blackbushe was that of Catalina PK-CTD who left our shores at the end of '49 bound for a new life serving GARUDA. Prior to passing through Blackbushe, CTD had served with the Royal Canadian Air Force.


Sorry the Cat's nose was cut off, that's how it arrived...ex RCAF, about to start a new life with GARUDA

That's it..A couple more memories to reflect upon should you be visiting Blackbushe and letting your mind wander back to her fascinating past.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
03/05/15

Sunday. Early May. Should be a fun day, with sun and flying machines in the sky. It may only have just turned 6am, but looks grim, cold, bleak, very grey and raining. That combined with being seriously burgled leaves me in a rather unsettled frame of mind. Must say, I give the Police top marks for the time they have devoted to us since Friday morning's uninvited guest/s. Ironically, just a few hours after proclaiming on here that I had to leave early something part rat part human forced its way into our humble abode and removed the last of my wife's valuables. Items that cannot be replaced for sentimental reasons and all valuables have now departed for unknown destinations. The computer is still here, and one's spirit is still operational, but.....just thankful that the parasitic wretch who came to call was not here when my far better half arrived home from work.

Life goes on.

Today being a grey day in May conjures up one of our very early fly-ins in the sixties. Possibly May, can't recall, but the day was like today with a few aeroplanes flying circuits, runway 01 was in use, and the old airfield must have smiled at the sound of aero engines beating their way around her circuit once more. Gordon "Benjy" Wilmer and I manned the AVM's Land Rover positioned adjacent to the duty runway. From here we provided a basic form of air traffic control using the Aldis lamp method, while taking the odd photograph too. Incredibly happy days, the albeit deserted airfield came back to life for a few hours and the thrill of being in the midst of it all was considerable!!


The late and much missed Holly Birkett guides 'PKL' on short finals.


The late Reg Venning, also much missed, arrives with 'HUG' on 01.


Cessna Skywagon 'RMJ' popped into our events from time to time.



Another regular Sunday visitor was Dr Hocking from White Waltham in his immaculate Terrier 'RSL'

Happily thieves may take our possessions, but memories cannot be stolen - I'll just leave that to old age.

Have a good Sunday..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
04/05/15

A Bank Holiday, the sun is shining. Surely a strange oxymoron?

Before it rains, a quick glance over the shoulder to see a couple more 'yesterdays' at Blackbushe..

At least in the hangars you're safe from the any Bank Holiday monsoons..


Doug Arnold's Spitfire works

Sadly all the hangars built by Doug Arnold are now occupied by BCA's car sales operations. Not a Spitfire to be seen, just rows of cars and vans. I know we are all grateful to BCA for keeping their aerodrome open...


Peter Arnold 'at work'

..and hangars being used for what hangars are for


The golden days when Eagle were Blackbushe based and their hangar was filled with wonder


including bent BEA aeroplanes

BEA Ambassador bent at Blackbushe and transported back to LHR for a lengthy repair job.


The Blackbushe hangars housed all shapes and sizes..

An Avro Tudor of Fairflight.


and a Tudor's powerful part..RR Merlin, of course!

To some of us the magic of Blackbushe lives on, despite the decision to destroy her and desecration in 1960..


Blackbushe Airport. She had so much to offer, she still could if given a chance..


Happy Bank Holiday..
PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
05/05/15

Morning all..

A very quick look at a couple of aeroplanes that helped make Blackbushe in the pre 1960 years..


Neptune 131498 of US Navy's VP-26 Squadron.

VP-26 finished the 50's by locating the Russian trawler that had deliberately severed the transatlantic cable in February 1959. This happened while VP-26 were based in Rota, Spain. The photo was taken while the aircraft was in transit at Blackbushe, although the Neptune was one of the most familiar sights here pre 1960 with a number of the type being Blackbushe based.


US Navy R4D-6 17226

Another essential part of Blackbushe was the R4D-6 of the US Navy. 17226 was part of the US Navy FASRON 200 Paris detachment and a frequent caller at Blackbushe.


R4D-8 17108

A true Blackbushe Dak..home based from 1956 to 1959, this was just one of the type that enriched the skies of northern Hampshire and helped make Blackbushe unlike any other British airport - truly a commercial and military operation.

Sorry, got to be brief, got to go....
PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
06/05/15

Time. A curious medium. We see distant galaxies as they were billions of years ago, light years that is, where both time and distance play havoc with the imagination. Time. It seemed endless at the start of a new school term, yet it dissolved as fast as sugar in your tea during the holidays.

Scurrying through the vaults tonight and blowing the dust off our time enriched photos of Blackbushe, this photo struck me with clarity and indeed played havoc with my senses realising it is now nearly sixty years since those sunny days when the photo was taken..



Dear old G-AHPE. I so clearly remember sitting on the A30's grassy verge, feet dangling in the ditch, bike plonked alongside me, with the warm sun and the smell of Blackbushe's freshly mown acres for company. Oh, and a host of aluminium marvels, the shapes and sounds synonymous with Blackbushe Airport pre 1960....

"Continental". The name conjured visions of far away places where those lucky enough to fly in this lovely aeroplane would enjoy, something that 'other' people did.. I'd spend hours just staring, watching, and wishing that I could experience what flying might be like.

Time. It may be nearly sixty years since I spent happy holiday days getting as close as I could get to HPE and her many associates on Blackbushe Airport, but in my mind the years have dissolved at light speed - it is as if only moments separate me from those marvellous memories. I guess in universal times it is just a blink in time since the young PB, and numerous others, whiled away the hours as Blackbushe and her aluminium residents welded a lifelong seam in the memory, a seam full of wonders that one tries to share with all who care to ponder over POTD. Sadly, it seems that time travels in only one direction...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
07/05/15

General Election 2015. No doubt we can expect some changes in our nation's fortunes after 'the country' has had its say and the Polling Stations close their doors tonight?

We see one change, regardless of the voters' crosses, and that is the closure of the Blackbushe Sunday Market. Speculation, rumours, and opinions are bound to follow as Blackbushe yields a large amount of its surface for possible 'other uses'...

Just for your interest, I've picked a couple of views of Blackbushe as God sees it from his lofty position...





The future is very hard to see from these photos, although the vast area once used by the marketeers is hard to miss...

PB