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Post by PB on Jul 10, 2023 6:55:34 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 10/07/23Sleek, three fins, a couple of Bristol Centaurus engines and built by Airspeed, making its first flight on this day in 1947 the Ambassador was like the Viking in being one of this country's very early post-war commercial airliners. 11th November, 1952, a BEA Ambassador demonstrates Blackbushe's FIDO system, the system that burned away fog - and burned vast amounts of fuel in the process...BEA named the Ambassador the Elizabethan so from recall either name might have been used in general discussion? Blackbushe's relationship with the type came from BEA, Dan-Air's use of the type, and Shell Aviation's example that frequented the Airport.
My vivid Blackbushe car park memory of the Ambassador is a Dan-Air example parked east of the Terminal on the then huge apron. Her great propellers starting to turn and after a few rotations the classic blue grey clouds of smoke as pots full of fuel came to life. Standing so near to such a sight was quite normal then, today looking at the scrub that has replaced the spot I'm grateful that my memory still works!!
On that I'll bid you farewell, nature has bestowed a summer bug upon one and obviously being a bloke the suffering is intense... groan, ughh....
PB
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Post by PB on Jul 11, 2023 8:25:46 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 11/07/23Long, long ago, on the morning of January 31st, 2015, around 07.00 "POTD" was born. The day when Airport Manager Stuart Marshall and I had decided that some kind of 'online' format was necessary to use the advances in technology to try and bring together the people who shared an interest or association with Blackbushe Airport, no fees, just a source of information, history, memories, and shared hopes for the Airport's future. Sadly Stuart is not with us any longer, his knowledge and experiences were invaluable. Happily he contributed much to the Forum, historical and aircraft facts which are found elsewhere, but his absence is felt everyday as I continue to feed our project with daily thoughts and observations, indeed I feel his presence and influence when sitting here each morning and waiting for some ideas to come forth!!
Since that January morning when this the first "POTD" was set free, blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/3, the number of hits have continued to rise, yesterday we received our 650,000th visit - something I never dreamed of, at the beginning I though we'd be lucky to grab 200 visits by some time in the future. I brought in a membership idea that gave access or permitted comments to be made in various areas, today we have well over 700 members although not too many 'sign-in' when visiting the site. Today, technology gives the wonders (?) of social media leaving our Forum in the dark ages no doubt so far as snazzy graphics, effects, and the number of users are concerned, but while I don't profess to be an online media wizzard I'm happy that our 'product' has found an audience, and audience that continues to grow surely and steadily.
Since 2015 and the launch of "POTD" Blackbushe has hosted a number of aviation events. Each one receiving plenty of publicity on the Forum before and after the event..
The Air Day of 2016 was a great success with many aeroplanes attending including the Bronco and a Hurricane from Biggin Hill.The Bronco was one of the highlights of Air Day 2016!In 2017 the Airport's 75th Anniversary was enjoyed over two days with many aircraft gathered including the Hurricane again, Spitfires, Dakota, Pembroke, Beech 18, An2, Anson and assorted vintage light aeroplanes, plus a flypast by the Red Arrows. An attempt to recreate something of 'old Blackbushe'...An impossible task as multi engined Douglas transports, Vikings, Yorks, Ambassadors, Hermes, et al were either wiped out or locked away in museums.Despite certain difficulties the 75th created quite the 'air show' atmosphere! Numerous radio and TV interviews plus newspaper coverage gave us a flying start!2019, one of the Aerobility "Picnic by the Planes" evenings..and another chance to gather up some flying machines!The new annual Air Day started last year, managed to secure another Anson, plus the "NHS" Spitfire and a host of other aeroplanes..Air Day 2023, last month and another gathering of aviation history!! The fruit of some winter emails, unfortunately I had to leave early..And now we have our very own Blackbushe based Viking. By nothing short of a miracle the Viking notion from early last year has resulted in the Heritage Trust's Viking arriving and thanks to Blackbushe management she also has a hangar!!!Vagabond and her Trustees..backed up by the various teams who will be bringing her back to show condition.And finally, here's Update Number 8 from the Blackbushe Heritage Trust detailing how far progress has gone toward the Viking's restoration..Update 8 – July 2023.
We have just two weeks to go until the British Airways colleague charity voucher scheme closes where staff have a £20 credit to allocate to one of the airlines charity partners. We are very grateful to be one of the official partners and would urge you to ask anyone you know who works for British Airways to consider donating to the Blackbushe Heritage Trust. So far we have had over £4000 donated from the current scheme which will all go towards stage one of the restoration of Vagabond.
We are excited to announce a new partnership with Farnborough College which is particularly relevant as Trustee Phil Johns started his apprenticeship there in September 1960 after starting work at Blackbushe with Eagle Airways in 1959. As of September a group of apprentices will begin working one day per week on Vagabond. There is lots of work to be done before we can offer professional training and we need to equip our workshop with tools and equipment. We have just launched a fundraising campaign to raise £10,000 for this purpose.
The recently formed Engineering team have started work by removing the floor boards which were fitted before Vagabond was used to host children’s parties during her time outside McDonalds in Schwechat. This begins phase one of the restoration which will include focusing on the area from the nose to the front of the wing root including fitting new cockpit windows. If you are interested in getting involved and are not currently part of the team let us know and we will put you in touch with Phil Johns who is the Trustee responsible for Engineering. A scaffolding tower has been purchased and we will shortly be funding the training for a member of the team to become accredited to build and certify this.
There was a huge team effort involved in the successful Air Day at Blackbushe on 3rd June with volunteers involved in introducing many members of the public to Vagabond for the first time. Apart from giving external guided tours of the aircraft, the team were involved selling merchandise and books from the shop, running ‘spin the wheel’ and selling raffle tickets. The raffle was drawn at 3pm next to Vagabond by Director of Flight Operations at British Airways, Simon Cheadle, who generously donated a simulator session for our top prize. The winner was Seb Fernandez who thoroughly enjoyed ‘flying’ an Airbus A320 on 30th June at the airlines training centre at Heathrow. We are also very grateful to Mike Biddulph for donating flights in his immaculate Cessna 150 for the 3x second place prizes.
Apart from the Air Day, the Fundraising and Events team have had a busy few months attending a number of airshows, fly-ins and fairs at Stockley Park, Abingdon, White Waltham and Camberley. The total amount raised so far from these is over £1500. Book sales remain popular, especially now we have them presented on shelving for easy browsing. A reminder that all our branded apparel can be purchased through logothatpolo.co.uk/store/bbushe or through the ‘Merchandise’ link on our website. This means we don’t have to keep stock which saves space and capital
The talks programme begins again on Wednesday 20th September and then will run on every 3rd Thursday of the month thereafter. We cannot hold the first talk on a Thursday as the Pathfinder is already booked. We have a number of speakers lined up and we will publish details on those as soon as we have final confirmation. Save the date!
Weds 20 September Thurs 19 October Thurs 16 November Thurs 21 December Thurs 18 January Thurs 15 February Thurs 21 March Thurs 18 April Thurs 16 May
It was reported previously that we were looking at offering a membership package with a number of benefits. After a consultation with our dedicated team of supporters we have decided to postpone the implementation of such a scheme at this time.
So many of our committed team of volunteers have been busy during the last few weeks, as always a huge thank you for all your hard work. It is difficult to mention everyone as we might miss people out but we feel a particular mention must be made of Paul Nichols and Josh Gardam. Paul has constructed a very high quality set of wooden stands at no cost to BHT. These will be used to support the tail plane to enable work to be undertaken on them at a safe height. Josh has raised £140 by running the Yateley 10km Road Race during last week’s warm weather, many congratulations and thank you so much for your support.
Best Regards, Peter, Phil, Dave, Pat, Chris, Becky and Mark TrusteesAnd with that, another day's "POTD" is done!!
PB
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Post by PB on Jul 12, 2023 5:20:22 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 12/07/2305.45, golden sunlight plays across the land - a beautiful morning. Hopefully it stays that way as the first of the Blackbushe Heritage Trust raffle prize winners take to the air this morning for their 'light aircraft flight' prizes.The Forum's current header photo courtesy of Keith Farrant who kindly gave the thumbs up to our using it..Business aircraft occupying the apron is very much an increasing sight at Blackbushe, long may it continue and grow!Indicative of the international spread of Blackbushe's air traffic movements the PC-24, N888HN, was inbound from Nice, the PC-12 PH-SFG arrived from Lugano.Another aeroplane at Blackbushe gathering increasing press coverage is the Vickers Viking of the Blackbushe Heritage Trust.. The aircraft's delivery from Austria required considerable expense, her future restoration will require significant sums of the money as tooling and necessary equipment is acquired. The project will require continued funding from ongoing donations and money raised by the sale of goods and Trust merchandise. Model aircraft, books, raffle tickets, "spin the wheel", hats and other logo'd apparel are all supporting the cause. Now here's something you can buy from the Heritage Trust and help the Viking, your very own Viking. Quite small, wing span around 8cms, 3D printed!! Sprayed silver, they're rather lovely..Apart from the Trust's eBay shop, there's the range of apparel available online, all will help raise the necessary funds to eventually place a pristine Viking on show at Blackbushe celebrating the aircraft's pioneering history and it's association with Blackbushe. www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/merchandisePB
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Post by PB on Jul 13, 2023 7:02:59 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 13/07/23After flaming June July seems to be a little less able to create Mediterranean conditions in lil' old England, although looking at current temperatures along the Med that's no bad thing!
Emerging from the confines of home for some three hours yesterday - currently subjected to various medical limitations - I arrived at Blackbushe to meet Mike Biddulph who was arriving by air in his immaculate Cessna G-ATMC. Mike has been an absolute brick in his unfailing support of Blackbushe ventures. From manufacturing my "Airlines of Blackbushe Airport" sign by the Terminal, signage for events, banners and much more, Mike yesterday flew up from Lee on Solent to fly the two lady winners of the recent Blackbushe Heritage Trust raffle's second prize - a flight in a light aeroplane. The weather was ideal, smooth air, excellent visibility, and picuresque clouds that offered the ladies wonderful sky scapes as they climbed above them to gain the full panorama... The prize winning ladies were thrilled by their experience with Mike, and unlimited thanks to him for providing their wings! Local lady from Yateley, Beryl, with Mike before boarding and venturing into the wide blue yonder...Soaring aloft, another convert to the joys of aviation!Sortie Number Two, this time it's Celia from Aldershot ready to fly..Smiles all round as the thrill of flight in a light aeroplane lights up the face of our other winner of the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's recent raffles' second prizes..Blackbushe yesterday.. the airfield that's given us so much, without her life would have been very different for a lot of people.. The car auction's have put Blackbushe on the map in one way, but the true purpose of Blackbushe today as an outstandingly well located General Aviation centre is now undeniable! Just look... for an airport that is so close to London, located in the business rich and highly populated home counties just look at the environmental wonder that is "Blackbushe".. Vast acres of open space surrounding the Airport on the plateau - nature's perfect airfield!Through the decades of disuse the ghosts of old Blackbushe still prevail. South of the A30 shades of the old taxiways and dispersals still reach out, this south-western extremity of the old Blackbushe is where Eagle Airways engineering base was located. The huge hangar and associated buildings long removed, nevertheless, for those of us who knew Blackbushe of old those far off days will always be alive in our memories...there was 'something' about Blackbushe that made it a very special place, that 'something' still exists in a different form perhaps, but it's still there!!Yesterday Blackbushe continued to demonstrate her value to general aviation with PC-24s, a Falcon 50, Piaggio P-180, and RAF Airbus helicopters gracing the apron, included in yesterday's movements was an arrival from Palma - proof of the Airport's growing international reach!
PB
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Post by PB on Jul 14, 2023 6:41:56 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 14/07/23Another glorious few hours of sanctity yesterday amid the peace and tranquility of the RHS Wisley. Overhead the OCK created some diversions while Fairoaks traffic and Heathrow inbounds swimming through the cloud base took one back to the days when two pairs of RR Conways brought you back from ventures in far away places..Thank God for a working memory!
If we go back to this day in 1948, my memory buds were still forming back then, Silver City flew the inaugural car crossing service across the English Channel using the bulbous nosed Bristol Freighter, the service went from Lympne to Le Touquet. Silver City was a big name at Blackbushe, a large engineering base was established there in 1946 and maintenance of the Silver City Lancastrian and Dakota fleets was undertaken there from early 1947, combined with servicing and engineering work for other air transport operators.
A very few years later, 1951, on this day the Lockheed Super Constellation made its first flight. The Bristol Freighters of Silver City and Super Connies were a part of Blackbushe life in the fifties... Super Constellations carrying names such as Air India, BOAC, QANTAS, El-Al, and Trans Canada Airlines were part of the fabric of Blackbushe life when some of us were very young.How often would you find a Canberra and a Super Connie next to each other? Apart from a museum perhaps? The answer..Blackbushe!! QANTAS were on a crew training sortie.What would life have been without the rounded expression of the Bristol Freighter. Sure, she was ponderous in flight, but designed by Bristol Aeroplane Company to provide a utilitarian economic uncomplicated post-war transport the dear old Freighter spread her wings around the world before slipping into retirement.Ahh Blackbushe! The 'south side', as shown yesterday, long abandoned. In its day, 'Blackbushe south' was home to Silver City/Britavia and Eagle Airways engineering bases. Here a collection of Freighters bring back something of the sites that most will never have seen, the long nose Mk32 and an earlier Mk 31...There we are, another nose in the history book, turning faded pages that would otherwise perhaps be lost in time. Blackbushe is perhaps like looking at an old friend, still with us but you remember how she was in the radiance of youth - the days you took for granted - but now for ever held as treasured memories. However, Blackbushe holds a trump card, she can - and she will - become reborn as a smaller but fully equipped airport to serve the needs of General Aviation while others are either crazy expensive to use, or being surrendered to the call for another 'leafy green village'....
Her day will come. PB
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Post by PB on Jul 15, 2023 7:04:50 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 15/07/23After what felt like monsoon Friday, Saturday has dawned a little less soggy. You have to feel for people who have put months of effort into summer events only to have them washed out by meteorological mayhem, aviation events in particular. Thank the lucky stars that our Blackbushe aviation event for this year is remembered by sunshine and blue skies.. Historically all but one of our Blackbushe flying events have been troubled by bad weather, that was the 1992 50th Anniversary weekend when day one was another monsoon affair, day two including an air display and fly-in was perfect...
If, during your time looking at the daily "POTD", you were turn your attention to the "POTD Comments" section you would see an increase in the sections use, something that is very pleasing as 'forums' are indeed for debate and discussion. Do take a look while you're here, and if you feel a comment coming on let us hear it! Or just share any 'Blackbushe' moments or emotions you may have..
Now, this is where "POTD" takes a different heading, something for you to read and if the mood takes you, make comment upon in the "POTD Comments" area!
The DfT produced their General Aviation handbook earlier in the summer. A link to download it follows as the DfT explain the purpose and benefits of General Aviation, what it is, why it must be protected, its value, and the need for positive engagement with local authorities. Here's your homework, and do share your thoughts if you wish! www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-aviation-handbookOK, here's your "Photo of the Day", a Moth moment from the Blackbushe 50th, rained out on the first day, second day just right for aviating, our fly-in, and air-display.Wishing you happy reading and a great weekend..
PB
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Post by PB on Jul 16, 2023 6:57:14 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 16/07/23It's truly amazing how fast you can drop yer troosers when the moment is right...
Take last evening, around half seven, sitting just where I am now when a lonesome and disorientated bee had cunningly ascended my trousered right leg until reaching the tissue of the left hand side of my right knee. There he unleashed his venom. The rest may now reside withing your imagination, but thank the heavens our solo bee had not ascended further on its upward journey. Perhaps the unseasonal weather of a cold wet July Saturday had suggested taking refuge somewhere warmer, but may I suggest if you wish to give a lonesome bee some lodgings your trouser leg is not the ideal venue?
As always, I'm grateful for your comments in the Forum's 'Comments' section. I wonder how many followed the "GA Handbook" link included in yesterday's "POTD"?
Time is a subject that is always the more interesting when you realise how fast it's been passing... take this day in history. 54 years have elapsed since we watched black and white TV and Apollo 11 launched on man's first manned mission to land on a body other than Earth, in this case the Moon. On July 20th Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the Moon's surface and the words, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” came down from 'up there'... Some years later Buzz Aldrin was at Blackbushe working with Aerobility on a flight simulation challenge, but not one involving travel to distant bodies!
In 1989 on this day European air traffic was halted by French air traffic controllers going on strike. Semble familier?But, if we're to look for days in history that changed the landscape of British aviation, look no further than this date - 16th July, 1948.
On this day the beautiful Vickers Viscount first tasted the wind beneath her wings as she ascended from Wisley aerodrome and what would be a commercially successful British aeroplane had started her journey into history. Sadly Stuart Marshall is no longer able to add more to our memories of Blackbushe, but at the time of launching this Forum he wrote some detailed histories of various transport aircraft and their association with Blackbushe. The Viscount is but one of those accounts to be found on the Forum. Here's Stuarts account of the Viscounts of Blackbushe. LOTS of Viscount photos at Blackbushe included!! blackbusheairport.proboards.com/thread/209/viscounts-blackbushe-airport.BEA crew training days at Blackbushe..Blackbushe, perfectly placed for customer delivery flights, crew familiarisation, the paperwork necessary for leaving for foreign shores..and fog diversions from the Hounslow area..Be wary of the apis ascending....
PB
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Post by PB on Jul 17, 2023 6:51:39 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 17/07/23If there's one thing that's certain it is that we live in uncertain times...
Denmark and the Netherlands providing Ukraine with surplus F-16s with pilot and tech crews about to start training in Romania next month reminds us that a war is raging in Europe, in the 21st Century of mankind's 'development'...We carry on worried about the cost of living and the weather while a couple of hours flying time away men, women and children are being murdered by an outrageous ensemble within the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, over in Greensboro, North Carolina, Honda have announced spending $56 million on building a new factory to manufacture their new HondaJet 2600.. Seating 11 people with a range of over 2600 miles, it's a type that will no doubt benefit from the Blackbushe runways as, hopefully, the future will permit!! Also, at the same Greensboro airport, Boom Supersonic have started work on their 62 acre site that will provide the campus upon which the 'Overture' supersonic airliner will be developed and built. Confidence in the future lives!
Talking of confidence in the future, it was on this day in 1939 that the Bristol Beaufighter made its first flight, and in 1949 the Viking's relative the Varsity made its first flight.Varsities were frequent sights at Blackbushe during the 1950s, the type's last visit was in 1977 when two participated in that year's Blackbushe Air Festival.. One of those two is now at Newquay Airport awaiting liberation before the breakers arrive and reduce it to scrap.....and one of the very many Varsities that frequented Blackbushe when some of us were at school, Blackbushe was home to numerous airlines and her air carried the wonderous sound of large radial engines day in and day out... Today's "POTD" opened by looking at the slim thread upon which dangles European peace, it was on this day in 1975 that global peaceful co-operation took a step forward when America's Apollo and Russia's Soyuz capsules first linked up in space...perhaps it's time certain world 'leaders' took a trip into space, they may come back with a different view on life and its value...
PB
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Post by PB on Jul 18, 2023 7:33:11 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 18/07/23Good morning, isn't life great, spared to live another day and a whole day with no appointments, commitments, just focus on today and maybe sort out my office which is looking daily more like a war zone. Trouble is - that aerodrome called Blackbushe! So much paper, photographs, slides, records, press cuttings, letters, air shows and events filed for some reason. The beast named nostalgia marches round the room and routinely blocks my route to the recycling bin where I guess much of it will end 'when the time comes'.... All of it is stuffed full of emotional stuff - to me - memories of times and unique opportunities presented by days gone by. Add to that treasured Blackbushe material and aviation books and memorabilia of dear friends no longer with us, and very soon you've got a 'room full'...
It's not a bad problem, but one I must get on top of! Blackbushe Heritage Trust today adds a further demand on my filing skills... Another unique experience provided by Blackbushe Airport's sixty years of survival since AVM Bennett saved the day. How, I wonder, would the past six decades have unravelled had I not met the AVM one sunny afternoon in 1961? My working life would still have been in the great world of aviation, but my spare time - and my office - would no doubt have been very differently managed!! ?
Our Forum is one of the Blackbushe by-products, "POTD" has encamped in my daily routine and is quite useful for unsticking the cerebral cogs before the day begins.. Always grateful to our members who contribute, yesterday 'Rocky14' added his very welcome and regular comments to the "POTD Comments" section. Thank you Sir!!
Rocky14's link yesterday was very much in line with one of POTD's avenues of thought, namely new power for tomorrow.. No, not a General Election, but the advent of a new airline that will run on renewable energy. Small aeroplanes retrofitted for a new cleaner life, but it'll still be a long way off the global coverage of the big burners whose movements cover the Earth all day every day..
www.aerotime.aero/articles/dale-vince-ecojet-ecotricity-new-electric-airline
Many thanks for the above, the future of air travel is undoubtedly going to be an interesting topic!!
For those who attended RIAT at Fairford over the past days one aeroplane seemed to have a strong pull for the cameras - a small twin engine jet known as the Me262!! A new and worrying aspect of bomber operations in WW2, the Me262 was a significant chapter in the book of air warfare. By coincidence, today 18 July is the anniversary of the Me262 making its first flight under jet propulsion, previously the type had been flown under propeller power. The 262's first flight was on 18 April, 1941 with old fashioned props whizzing round to give the necessary momentum.That would be an interesting aeroplane for Blackbushe's next Air Day, maybe something closer to home instead?Some of this year's Air Day attendees were pretty special, the only surviving genuine ex Russian MkIX Spitfire..The Lockheed Electra was a great catch!.. and yes, we had a Messerschmitt on display too.....I think breakfast is calling, bye for now!
PB
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Post by PB on Jul 19, 2023 7:23:32 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 19/07/23You will have gathered how back in 1961 AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett miraculously purchased 365 acres of what used to be Blackbushe Airport. Happily many of those acres are still known - and used - as Blackbushe Airport. But, something else happened in 1961, on this day in fact... Had you been aboard TWA's 707 service from New York to Los Angeles - in first class only - you would have been entertained by the first in-flight movie. "By Love Possessed" starring Lana Turner.... IFE has come along quite a way since then. I well recall the plastic tubes that plugged into the arm rest at one end and in your ears at the other thus facilitating a choice of audio entertainment, until your ears hurt, and then on the 707 when BOAC introduced in-flight movies via three TV screens that came down above the single aisle of long-haul aircraft back then. Today's IFE is in an altogether different world!Back in the days... Long haul flying from Blackbushe "In-flight entertainment" would have have been a note from the cockpit updating on the flight's progress and your ETA. The notion of movies, seat back screens, and a host of programmes to choose from would have been undreamed of.Now, talking of entertainment, what are you doing on Friday evening??Why not come along and enjoy some classic sounds from yesteryear while also enjoying the Pathfinder Pizzas or Burgers.. Yum!!Friday night's were great party nights from way back in Three Counties Aero Club/Blackbushe Parachute Club's days.. There was one night when I - well, never mind - just to say those are days and nights with long lingering memories..especially Friday nights!!
PB
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