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Post by PB on May 9, 2023 6:41:20 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 09/05/23Lurking around at 06.00 this morning the environment is hardly one that suggests we're only a short hop to the Blackbushe Air Day in JUNE! Chilly, damp, grey, it was hard not to hit the "ON" switch that would flood the house with centrally heated comfort, but the reach of recent heating bills instills a reluctance to pour any further cash into the hands of one's energy providers..
So, that is that, one's second coronation has been sat through, no doubt it will also be one's last coronation too! I look in the mirror and wonder what happened to that young lad who at 15 years of age met AVM Bennett for the first time back in 1961? A lifetime - 62 years - has slipped through my fingers since then, a lifetime wherein that runway upon which I first met AVM Bennett has retained my devoted focus without a day seemingly escaping when it and Blackbushe have not had some influence on my thoughts and, now and again, actions. A strange affliction!
Apparently we reach a point in life at which health issues place their icy fingers around you, sometimes there are more chill fingers than you care to think about, but hopefully if the NHS find some time we'll be around for years more Blackbushe time.. The great joy is that Blackbushe has survived six decades of adversity, her health is looking good, she has not only survived despite circumstantial buffers, she has grown in air traffic movements, resident aircraft - nearly 100 - and increasing business aircraft movements, a lot of which are jet propelled.
The forthcoming Air Day and the Blackbushe Heritage Trust have both helped the growing interest in Blackbushe Airport, they've both given me something to think about, while in the background work proceeds that will hopefully see the Airport able to manifest itself with new hangars and assorted airport facilities blocked by various political proceedings for so awfully long..The 3rd June Air Day marches ever closer, and with it will come some exciting aircraft such as this unique MkIX Spitfire, and others, one of which will be making the types first ever appearance at Blackbushe if all goes well..But, what of the future as mankind ceaselessly creates new ideas, new ways of doing things, and by his nature will always be enhancing the way he moves around the planet. Driven now by a need to protect the planet our future air travel will doubtless reflect 'change' in either new fuel or radically new means of leaving the ground.
This article in AVweb's May 8th news sheet creates a map for tomorrow's eVTOL transports that will inevitably find their way into tomorrow's skies. Airports such as Blackbushe will perhaps fit the new eVTOL equation in years to come, the FAA are certainly giving the prospects of the new era serious thought. Herewith the AVweb article.."FAA Starts Mapping out eVTOL integration..
The first places most people are likely to encounter an eVTOL or urban air mobility (UAM) aircraft will be at the familiar places they now deal with conventional helicopters and aircraft, according to an updated airspace integration concept released by the FAA last week. The “Concept of Operations V.2 (ConOps V.2)” says that for the first while, as the fledgling industry gets going, it will fall under existing regulations and airspace designation. “Initial UAM operations are conducted using new aircraft types that have been certified to fly within the current regulatory and operational environment,” the document’s implementation scenario reads. After that, things get more interesting, however.
The next two stages of implementation give the eVTOLs progressively more segregation from the rest of aviation as they evolve into an interactive and self-supporting aviation ecosystem. Ultimately, the scenario sees “new operational rules and infrastructure facilitate highly automated cooperative flow management in defined Cooperative Areas (CAs), enabling remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft to safely operate at increased operational tempos.”
As the name implies, “ConOps V.2” is the second kick at the can for the agency trying to deal with what some predict will be a veritable swarm of electric multicopters buzzing around major cities. It builds on feedback from the first version and fleshes out the overall concept without getting into the weeds of operational and regulatory necessities. “It does not prescribe specific solutions, detailed operational procedures, or implementation methods except as examples to support a fuller understanding of the elements associated with UAM operations,” the introduction says. The full document runs 32 pages".And herewith the 32 page document "Concept of Operations V2" www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Urban%20Air%20Mobility%20%28UAM%29%20Concept%20of%20Operations%202.0_0.pdfSo what will "tomorrow" look like at Blackbushe?? Well, there will be a Viking airliner telling us of yesteryears....But who, or what, will serve airports such as Blackbushe 'tomorrow'? We can but wait and see, but it's guaranteed that change will be coming..Meanwhile, don't forget the Blackbushe Heritage Trust "Volunteers evening" at the Pathfinder on May 23rd starting 7pm. All are welcome to join the big conversation focused on Vagabond's refurb!!
AND your Raffle Tickets supporting Vagabond's new life are on sale at the Pathfinder now! This could be your chance to fly a modern BA jet (simulated!!), fly in a light aircraft (unsimulated), or maybe win a chunky voucher toward dining at the Pathfinder!! You won't win if you don't buy - the draw will be on June 3rd during the Air Day.
Here's to the future!!
PB
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Post by PB on May 10, 2023 6:54:50 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 10/05/2306.15, blue skies above, apart from the odd 'twinge' all seems right from the world - if only it were!
First this morning could I say how good it is to see the Forum being used for a conversation that does not necessarily focus on Blackbushe. Under "General discussion" planning considerations regarding new towns in the area have been discussed, there's no doubt that community planning is going to be a hot subject as the population relentlessly expands..
Yesterday afternoon the God of Thunder made himself (him?) (her?) (their?), known across Blackbushe and its surrounds. Powerful lightning resulted, one bolt of which seemed to aim at BCA's complex, electric cars finding a new way of charging? As the storms moved around offering blue skies shared with towering CB's climbing to 35,000 or more the spectacle of nature's power was quite breath taking. The energy required to create such massive cloud mountains is mind blowing yet it derives from simple water vapour and temperature fluctuations.. I've long found CB build-ups impressive and thought provoking be they in the UK's moderate climate or the world's warmer zones where they put on regular shows. Fly through one at your peril, especially if you value having wings attached when you come out!"Make a joyful noise.." Part of the USAF display during the October '62 "Blackbushe Re-opening Air Display"...Comets on crew training at night were not universally seen (heard) as a 'joyful' noise..Wonderful sounds, four Wright Cyclones carried Brietling's Super Constellation into the circuit as a farewell salute to Blackbushe. A couple of fly-bys and she was gone, but such memories of Blackbushe past were recalled by those sounds! The navigator was a friend!An RAF Nimrod climbs away from Blackbushe during a late sixties "Barnstormers" Air Show.Whether you want to watch the weather or aeroplanes, Blackbushe is the perfect vantage point for either..More joyous sounds, A magical RR Merlin and a magnificent Bristol Hercules engine were regularly fired up at the 2017 Blackbushe 75th Anniversary show..Two of those Hercules radials in Blackbushe our Viking! Or, they will be in our Viking in due course!!Reflecting on nature's work.. A Piper Cub visitor in the sixties. Came from USAF Upper Heyford if I recall correctly.Blackbushe car-park in the early 1980s. Happily subsequent improvements have made significant improvements to the scene!Weather watching in the seventies..Doug Arnold's new taxiway, the US Navy hangar, and the Common - Blackbushe "east" - sprouting the scenery that now fills views east..This RAF Vulcan left a lasting impression on a few ear drums! A "Barnstormers" Air Show when the RAF gave significant support. The aircraft departed on a route directly north with generous application of throttle...Needless to say, such an event can never happen again....No BCA at the far west end, just our hand-built lock-up hangars and the slightly larger hangar built by AVM Bennett.Another Blackbushe/Vulcan meeting. The Prime Minister arrived aboard Vulcan B1 XA890 on 6th September, 1955....Bye for now.. PB
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Post by PB on May 11, 2023 5:44:53 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 11/05/23www.blackbusheairday.com/As if a reminder wasn't necessary! 3rd June, Blackbushe Air Day, the day to be at Blackbushe! IF you haven't got your tickets yet may I suggest you don't hang about, they're selling fast and the numbers are limited!!www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/raffleThis year's Blackbushe Heritage Trust Raffle will be drawn on June 3rd, the Air Day! Tickets are available at the Pathfinder Cafe, please ask for them and join the fun! Prizes include British Airways flight simulator sessions at Heathrow - it doesn't get better than that - plus flights in light aircraft from Blackbushe, Heritage Trust merchandise, and generous vouchers for use in the Pathfinder.. EVERY penny raised goes toward the restoration of our precious Viking.www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/volunteer-signupGet involved, sign-up as a volunteer, be part of a heritage project that will serve generations of today and the future telling the story of British civil aviation AND Blackbushe's role played in it..MAY 23rd, BLACKBUSHE HERITAGE TRUST VOLUNTEERS MEETING. 7pm at the PATHFINDER CAFE!! Do drop in for a chat, meet the Team, and see if there's an aspect where your volunteering would help us take G-AGRW to the day when once again she can be rolled out resplendent as a complete and shining example of days gone by at Blackbushe.It's been a while since the Blackbushe apron was home to scenes such as this! But, with your help we will put a Viking back where it belongs - on Blackbushe tarmac!!THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!
See you on 23rd May, if not before!!
PB
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Post by PB on May 12, 2023 6:29:48 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 12/05/23Had you been around on this day in 1912 - I was NOT - you'd have noted that the Central Flying School (CFS) of the Royal Air Force was established at Upavon in Wiltshire. Today it's the oldest established Flying School in the world, the mission statement being to 'Deliver, Develop and Assure Excellence in Aircrew'. Central Flying School support. The occasion Blackbushe Airport's 50th Anniversary, a two day event in 1992, 'official' support from the MoD was not forthcoming so a few back doors required knocking.. Cranwell sent down these two Tucanos for the weekend. Day One was awful weather-wise but these guys arrived out of the rain and murk to form our static line-up and also participate in the Sunday flying display.Same weekend, dear Stuart Marshall, Airport Manager at the time holds aloft the F-16 presented to us by the Netherlands Air Force. This was the occasion when the Netherlands came back to me with the offer of an F-16 for the weekend. Sadly, the offer had to be rejected due to environmental worries, but the F-16 in the photo still proudly hangs in the Airport Conference Room. The United States NavyNAvy came back to their old Blackbushe base for the weekend, hence the US Navy Beech behind Stuart. A Neptune, C-54, Super Dakota, Mercator, Albatross, Beech Expeditor or Super Connie would have been nice to recall the old days, but times had changed!! The US Navy Beech and its crew were incredibly welcome guests for the weekend.. Dove G-OPLC came over from Farnborough for the weekend providing pleasure flights, it too is in the picture on final approach before going behind the windsock..How that can be 31 years ago is hard to fathom..time's relentless pressure is daunting.
On that basis I'd better not hang about, catch you next time.
PB
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Post by PB on May 12, 2023 21:29:58 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 13/05/23As you know, we've had an historic arrival at Blackbushe this month. Below is the latest "Update" from the Blackbushe Heritage Trust, it gives an account of the Viking's arrival and planning for when the restoration of the Viking gets under way.. While you update on the Trust's activities there is information as to how you may get involved with the exciting restoration programme and assist at the forthcoming Air Day when much public interest in the Viking is anticipated... The third page reminds you of the great prizes waiting for you to win by buying some of our Raffle Tickets. The draw will be made on 3rd June during the forthcoming Air Day!! Buy some tickets and support the forthcoming restoration programme!! Join us on 23rd May, 19.00 at the Pathfinder and find out about becoming a BHT Volunteer...A moving moment recorded by Phil Johns...Eric Tarrant, the man with EAGLE written through him reunited with G-AGRW! The first aeroplane he flew in - on a test flight - and as an Eagle person who runs the precious 'Eagle Archive' meeting RW again nose to nose and seeing a Viking back on Blackbushe Airport soil once again was a double whammy of delight. The moment had to be recorded!!PB
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Post by PB on May 14, 2023 6:51:53 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 14/05/23First flights are always great moments in the lives of an aircraft's design team and the personnel who conduct the 'flight'. Yesterday recalled 13th May, 1949...of the English Electric Canberra. Over 1300 were built and the type served for no less than 57 years. Built under license in Australia and the USA, the Canberra was true British success story, and so far as "POTD" is concerned it's a type that frequented Blackbushe throughout the 1950s.... Where else but Blackbushe could you gain an image of a serving RAF aircraft capable of delivering a nuclear surprise while it is parked just a few yards away from the main London-Southampton road? September, 1959, a Canberra B1 of 213 Squadron. Today, another first flight of an aeroplane not quite so aggressive is remembered.. On this day in May, 1936, the delightful Miles Whitney Straight took to the skies for the first time. A type still tasting the skies today, we were delighted to have the type join us for last year's Blackbushe Air Day and just as delighted to welcome her back to Blackbushe at this year's Air Day on June 3rd...Last year's Blackbushe 80th Anniversary Air Day, proud owner Peter Bishop tends to his Whitney Straight. This year he plans on bringing no less than three Miles aeroplanes to the Air Day!!Finally for today, not advertising as such, but a suggestion for anyone and all who have respect for Harold Bamberg and Eagle Airways, the June issue of "Aeroplane" magazine carries a superb account of Harold and the Eagle story. A must for anyone with even the slightest respect for our aviation history and the people who fashioned it.. It's an altogether excellent edition with accounts of warbird restorations and hope for the future of keeping our aviation heritage alive."Aeroplane" June 2023, and the British Eagle story..PB
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Post by PB on May 15, 2023 6:54:22 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 15/05/23Jets.. Jets are big business today, Blackbushe enjoys an increasing share of varying sized jet visitors nowadays, today marking a significant anniversary in the jet powered story.On this day 15th May in 1941 Frank Whittle's jet engine first too to the skies powering the Gloster E28/39. The flight was from RAF Cranwell and lasted just 17 minutes, but the British pathway to a jet powered future was truly opened. I'm currently reading, by coincidence, "Jet Man" by Duncan Campbell-Smith, the story of the genius Frank Whittle and endeavours that lead to the jet filled skies of today..
Meanwhile, the Blackbushe Trust continues to prepare for the task ahead of placing the Viking on display. The various aspects and avenues of the restoration project will be allocated to volunteer teams according to their experience and knowledge. Some will be demanding in skills and application, others much easier, and so it is that when work commences all involved will know their tasks and to whom they will be responsible. The programme will be totally under the direction of the Trustees, and as such we are holding a a 'Volunteers' evening at the Pathfinder Cafe on 23rd May starting at 7pm. Do feel free to come along and hear what is to be said and hopefully put your name down for one of the restoration aspects..
The restoration will be a lot of work, it will also be a lot of fun and be most rewarding when eventually a Viking emerges resplendent ready to represent her Viking sisters ships that also flew the flag of British aviation into challenging skies. All who work on RW's restoration will carry a justifiable sense of satisfaction knowing they have contributed to a precious piece of aviation history that will be appreciated by many and enjoyed by generations to come. Join us on 23rd May!!In the beginning! The moment G-AGRW arrived back at Blackbushe, the impossible had proven possible, she was no longer lost on a far away airfield in Austria - a new life awaits!On this anniversary of Britain's entry into the jet age, while we plan the Viking's restoration, it's worth recalling that a Viking was fitted with a couple of jets and became our first jet airliner... G-AJPH the 'Nene Viking' a giant step toward the future!
PB
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Post by PB on May 16, 2023 6:25:31 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 16/05/23Another moment in British aviation occurred on this day in 1957. The incredible Saunders Roe SR53 first took to the skies. Part jet, part rocket, the aircraft came about due to an Air Ministry requirement for an interceptor that would climb high enough and fast enough to tackle the growing threat from the Soviets. Whilst capable of Mach 2.0 flight the aircraft proved unable to carry the necessary radar and weapons required to take on threats from the east and the defence white paper of 1957 lead to this and various other projects being cancelled. The surviving SR53 is in the hands of the RAF Museum, Cosford, or it was.. I recall making an Airfix SR53 long ago..
Had you been at Blackbushe on the day the SR53 first flew, today's date, here's some of the day's air traffic movements..
TG587 RAF Hastings VL249 RAF Valetta stored with Airwork WF787 RAF Meteor 128343 US Navy P2V Neptune 131568 US Navy R6D-1 42-93734 USAF C-47
Just some of the variety offered by the old airport on the plateau, traffic beyond the regular airline movements and General Aviation activity. I was 11 and too young to venture out alone on the highways but the above snapshot of a Blackbushe day indicates the traffic mix that always made Blackbushe the place to be for mixed civil and military activity. If you stood where today's Airport car park is and scanned the scene aircraft would have been seen in all directions from the apron to the US Navy base to the north-east, Airwork's complex to the east, across the road to the south east the Britavia Silver City complex and to the south west Eagle's engineering base where Vikings mingled with so many other types. The huge orange approach light gantry that spanned the A30 to the west, and approach lights that stretched out east across Yateley Common, the splendid Control Tower on Blackbushe 'east' and the multitude of offices, workshops, and nissen huts from wartime occupation all combined to create the marvel that was simply 'Blackbushe'.Born of necessity, Blackbushe came into being as RAF Hartford Bridge in 1942, having fought the foe gallantly she went very quiet at war's end, the days of RAF Blackbushe seemed limited. But, realisation spread as to the perfect location this wartime base was situated upon. Close to London, on the main London-Southampton trunk road, how convenient! Built on the elevation of a plateau she tended to avoid the worst of fogs, and environmentally you would not find another airport with long hard runways in such a perfect location..
Saved by her perfect qualifications as an aerodrome since the war, when the Government sacrificed their prize asset at Blackbushe in 1960 pouring their money into Gatwick as the new second airport for London, Blackbushe's perfect qualifications were too valuable to be lost.. That's when AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett's vision for Blackbushe came to the fore. He bought all that he could of the old place, and despite the obstacles placed in her way over the past six decades and the airfield changing ownership a further three times since the AVM's rescue operation, Blackbushe Airport lives on! The day comes closer when adversity will be overcome and Blackbushe will again enjoy a full aviation infrastructure, one suited to modern General Aviation requirements. Blackbushe has proven herself throughout her life as being a perfect natural airfield, the tenacity of her owners ensuring that quality will live on for long into the future.
Below, thanks to Paul Phillips, indications of Blackbushe's current day to day air traffic movements, dated 13th May.G-LUSO by wokinghampaul, on Flickr 2-LISS by wokinghampaul, on Flickr G-CYFR by wokinghampaul, on Flickr Maybe we don't hear the thunder of heavy military movements at Blackbushe, but her heart keeps beating, no doubt it beat a little quicker when the spirit of Blackbushe past was awakened by the arrival of the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's Viking on 2nd May..Blackbushe's heavy air transport days may be over, but her story and amazing history will live on as well as becoming the south-east's most desirable airfield - for so many reasons!
PB
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Post by PB on May 17, 2023 6:59:23 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 17/05/2380 years ago this morning the surviving Lancasters and their crews were back on the ground, the 'Dambusters' operation was concluded. "Operation Chastise" had come to an end, the extraordinary courage shown by the RAF's Bomber Command crews demonstrated to the maximum. Today, eight decades later, none of the crews involved with the operation are with us, all are reunited in that great crew room, we can never know what they thought as their Lancasters lifted from Scampton's runway.. A job to be done knowing the loss rates that Bomber Command had suffered, we can but imagine how we as individuals would have fared with our crew and four Merlins to get us home - aided by a generous serving of luck.
In 2023 we still stir to the sound of the Lancaster in flight, the sound of four Merlins in flight the same sound that resonated across the land 80 years ago, the sound that is the remaining voice of all who flew and gave their all in the name of freedom. "Last night", 53 RAF crew died and 8 Lancasters did not return. The German war machine was slowed down, and many lives were lost in the flooding that followed the beaching of the damns.. War is never pretty.Blackbushe's last Lancaster. Neil Williams brings "Just Jane" as she is know today, G-ASXX, into Blackbushe for an air display in the sixties..The US Navy hangar still providing an imposing backdrop..Sharing the apron with the Masefield Mustang..Today Blackbushe lives on thanks to the actions of one of the RAF's famous aviators and Bomber Command leaders, "Pathfinder" Bennett. Without his timely intervention in the very early 1960s these is little doubt that Blackbushe today would have vanished under the same growth that has largely consumed the parts of the airfield he was unable to acquire. Namely the east end of Blackbushe and the Airport's area south of the A30.
Yesterday was a good example of the visiting air traffic Blackbushe enjoys nowadays. A PC-24, PC-12, Cessna 525, Scottish Aviation Bulldog, Sportcruiser, and a Diamond DA42 all adding to the Airport's action.The PC-12 is a modern day success story, the 2,000th PC-12 having been delivered! The article below included in the latest edition of AVweb..."Pilatus handed over its 2,000th PC-12 single-engine turboprop during ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Stans, Switzerland, last week. The aircraft went to New Hampshire-based fractional aircraft ownership company PlaneSense, which operates a fleet of 43 PC-12s and eleven PC-24s. The first PC-12 was delivered in 1994.
“We are honoured to receive the 2,000th PC-12,” said PlaneSense founder, president and CEO George Antoniadis. “We took delivery of our first PC-12, the 20th built, in 1995. This unique aircraft constitutes the backbone of our operation and has been an important part of the success of the PlaneSense program.”
As previously reported by AVweb, the global PC-12 fleet passed the ten million flight hour milestone earlier this month. The PC-12 NGX, the most recent PC-12 variant, has a maximum cruise speed of 290 knots, 1,803-NM range and full-fuel payload of 988 pounds. Introduced in 2019, it is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6E-67XP engine and comes equipped with the Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE) System by Honeywell".G-LUSO by wokinghampaul, on Flickr Paul Phillips captured this recent PC-12 visitor on the Blackbushe apron. Wearing many and varied colour schemes, the PC-12 and its larger relative, the twin engined PC-24, are today increasingly regular visitors taking advantage of Blackbushe's affordable and convenient facilities.PB
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Post by PB on May 18, 2023 7:02:47 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 18/05/23Where will you be on 3rd June this year?
If you had tickets for the Blackbushe Air Day you'd be in the midst of aeroplanes such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, Me109, Mustang, Storch, Lockheed Electra and many many others in the Air Day Static Exhibition - not to mention the others descending for the Air Day Fly-In... 120 classic cars on show, fantastic exhibition area, loads of amusements for children, pleasure flights by Rapide and jet helicopter, and a very wide spread choice of eating opportunities. If you had your ticket!!
Tickets are still available, but as with last year, the number on sale is limited, once they're gone..too late! Where will you be on 3rd June? You won't see much from the wrong side of the fence....
That's the future.. if we look at today's date in aviation history, what do we see??
In 1951 the Vickers Valiant V-bomber first flew. Valiants made numerous visits to Blackbushe during 1956 and 1957. Wonder if anybody remembers seeing them??
1957, the Douglas DC-7 made its first flight, the first flight of the last of the heavy big piston airliners...that unique sound! I doubt anyone will miss the sound of today's big transports when their time is up?
In 1966 on this day the dashing Sheila Scott departed Heathrow in her Comanche "Myth Too" for the first round-the-world solo flight. 29,000 miles placed in the log book. G-ATOY, I've a photo of her at Blackbushe after the RTW but sadly cannot locate it this morning..so many pictures!
In 1983, American Airlines carried their 500 millionth passenger. Air travel would seem to have caught on.
..and on this day in 2006 more big numbers as the Airbus A380 made its first landing at Heathrow and UK debut..A word of caution to anyone walking on the wild side of Blackbushe, namely the disused east end and northern flank, as the weather warms up these guys will be on the loose and not always best pleased to see you. A number of dogs have been bitten while rushing around in the undergrowth, and I almost trod on one a couple of years ago. Keep an eye out.. A Viking departs Blackbushe long ago, the Blackbushe Heritage Trust Viking will not fly again, but.....but, this moment on May 2nd as G-AGRW made her ceremonial return to Blackbushe's main runway hit an emotional nerve. That size and shape on the runway suddenly swept through my memory reserves and it seemed like only yesterday that Vikings and their twin Bristol Hercules engines routinely throbbed into the awaiting skies.. PB
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