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Post by PB on Nov 20, 2023 7:47:06 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 20/11/23The Blackbushe Heritage Trust were well represented at yesterday's Heathrow Aircraft Enthusiast's Fair at Kempton Park. The BHT stand made a good financial return on the day's activity and massive credit must go to the team who gave up their time to wave the BHT flag while raising the funds greatly needed to see our Viking project through to completion..The name of the game, "Vagabond" is shedding her old colours ready for her new life - and new colours - with a truly historic story to tell..Photo courtesy of Phil Johns. "Vagabond", G-AGRW, according to my records first set foot on Blackbushe 19th March, 1947, and made her final departure on 9th June, 1959. Come the next Blackbushe Air Day it'll be 65 years since her engines were last heard here as she departed not thinking that in six decades she'd be back!You can always support the Viking's progress, Raffle tickets, BHT calendars, watches, and many other items via the Blackbushe Heritage Trust online shop www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/store or maybe checkout the BHT eBay store.... www.ebay.co.uk/usr/blackbusheheritagetrust
Every transaction is a step nearer Vagabond's triumphant return to the Blackbushe scene. Who says history cannot speak?
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 21, 2023 7:59:27 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 21/11/23On this day in 2012 a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was mediated by the Egyptian government. Too many innocents had died, but compared to the current state of conflict the numbers were relatively small. We can but hope that 21 November, 2023, is also recorded as a day when peace broke out...?
The viability of using the air as a means of transport took a step closer to reality on this day in 1783, 240 years ago.. An untethered Montgolfiere brothers hot-air balloon rose from Paris, made of paper and silk, it carried two souls aloft - Francois Pilatrê de Rozier and Francois Laurent, Marquis of Arlanders - the plucky pair remained airborne for some 25 minutes. It would seem that since then the concept of air travel has caught on quite well..
So far as Blackbushe and balloon flying is concerned an ascent was made in 1874 from what is today a busy General Aviation airport... The appeal of the large flat area from which the airfield we know as Blackbushe would one day appear was apparent even 150 years ago. No photos, but in the very early sixties a hot-air balloon was brought to Blackbushe for a trial flight, sadly my photos and memories are both practically non-existent but I do recall helping laying out the large amount of fabric and ropes on this most unusual visitor. 1962/63 sometime around there...
Memories are things that abound at airfields, and Blackbushe's past six decades in private ownership have been no exception.. Here are some from the early seventies..The Barnstormers Air Show in 1973...the Vulcan left a definite impression!!The RAF Belfast approaches......and departs!Aerobatics from the Red Pelicans..Rothmans Aerobatic Team.Battle of Britain Flight brought waves of nostalgia..The Trislander, a commuter airliner well suited to Blackbushe..There are more, but right now the call of duty leads to tea making... Thanks for stopping buy!!
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 22, 2023 7:32:36 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 22/11/23You will notice that this is also the current Forum 'header photo'... Memory of a very unique time, more below!In the earliest of times regarding the recovery of Blackbushe. Your scribe but a schoolboy, 15 or 16, the scene the frontage of what a few months earlier had been London's second airport... AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett has acquired 365 acres of the old Airport site and hopes were high of turning the ruination of what had been a great airport into the south's premier General Aviation centre. Sadly, the powers of authority would sit on such hopes for decades, certain bodies elected or otherwise, had designs on the site that were not of the aviation kind.. The photo shows the Terminal as it was at the time of the AVM's purchase. Sadly two thirds of the precious building were on 'council land' and were duly destroyed by Hampshire County Council in years to come.
The photo was taken by my trusty Halena, monochrome 35mm film with the usual 36 exposures, followed by a trip to the chemist's shop and a week's wait for processing and printing...The quality has no comparison with the miracles of modern cameras and phones, but the message the photo delivers is as strong as any! Blackbushe in defiance!! The time was Farnborough Air Show Week back in 1961, the plan being to roll out the Fairtravel Linnet and a Fairthorpe Zeta sports car to show the passing world that Blackbushe was alive. I'll never forget the joy of helping roll the aircraft to the front of the Terminal where it would spend a few days on show telling the world that Blackbushe was not dead.. A lot of rubble and desecration evidence had to be moved to get the small area ready but it looked highly effective, lots of faces turned toward the scene as vehicles passed by on the A30...
The Linnet came from the AVM's Fairtravel company at Gerrards Cross where the aircraft were built, the Fairthorpe sports car coming from the AVM's Fairthorpe car company also at Gerrards Cross. The man was enterprising to put it mildly, he now had a major airport to restore! He nor anyone else dreamed that 62 years later the Airport would still be seeking the way to providing the necessary infrastructure of an airport that serves all the demands made by the needs of General Aviation...It's an airfield, no doubt about that, a moment from a 1970s Barnstormers Air Show when the Vulcan left no one in doubt of her presence!!Perhaps ironic, but following the saving of Blackbushe by AVM Bennett, one of the most distinguished aviators of WW2, the airfield was purchased by Douglas Arnold whose growing air force included some resident aeroplanes bearing black and white crosses...Earlier today I dived into the realms of AI, a subject that looks like being a big player in the world of "tomorrow". I asked a certain AI account to write its ideas about Blackbushe and her best use in the future... I'll be happy to print the resulting document if anyone shows interest? In literally ten seconds the job was done, extraordinary!!
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 23, 2023 7:34:42 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 23/11/23Fading memories... Blackbushe residents mingle with an RAF visitor. A lifetime late that tarmac still supports the marvels of aviation going about its business...Yesterday I mentioned the reaction received from an AI source, namely in a very few seconds it produced a document after my request for a statement about the future use of Blackbushe Airport. Following my offer to produce the document here, as many as two "POTD" followers expressed interest in seeing more, so for them and all others who feel for Blackbushe and her future, here it is:-Blackbushe Airport, located in Hampshire, England, has historically served as a general aviation airport catering to private and business aircraft, flight training, and some commercial operations. Predicting the future best use of the airport can involve various factors and considerations, especially as the aviation industry and regional needs evolve. Here are several potential future uses:
1. Expansion of General Aviation Services: Blackbushe Airport could continue to serve as a hub for general aviation, offering services such as private and business aircraft operations, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, fueling services, and hangar space for private owners and charter companies.
2. Advanced Training Facilities: Investing in state-of-the-art training facilities for pilots and aviation professionals can enhance the airport's appeal. This could include simulator training centers, specialized programs for emerging aviation technologies, and partnerships with educational institutions.
3. Technology and Innovation Hub: Transforming Blackbushe into an innovation center focused on aviation technology, research, and development can attract businesses and startups working on drones, electric aviation, sustainable fuels, or other cutting-edge aviation technologies.
4. Commercial Development: Depending on local demand and regulatory approvals, there might be opportunities for limited commercial flights to specific destinations, especially if there's a demand for regional connectivity.
5. Aviation Tourism and Events: Hosting airshows, aviation expos, and events can attract enthusiasts, tourists, and industry professionals, fostering community engagement and showcasing advancements in aviation.
6. Sustainability Initiatives: Implementing green and sustainable practices within the airport, such as using renewable energy sources, promoting electric aviation, and implementing carbon offset programs, can align with global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of aviation.
7. Multimodal Transportation Hub: Integrating Blackbushe Airport into the regional transportation network by connecting it with other modes of transportation, such as rail and road networks, could enhance its overall utility and accessibility.
8. Aerospace Manufacturing and Services: Encouraging aerospace manufacturers or service providers to establish facilities could create employment opportunities and further develop the aviation ecosystem in the region. Ultimately, the future use of Blackbushe Airport will likely be influenced by market demand, technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and community preferences. A strategic and flexible approach to its development, considering various potential uses and their viability, will be crucial in determining its future success and relevance in the aviation landscape. Wishful thinking indeed, some aspects of which would not be possible or perhaps even considered, but interesting to see how an artificially intelligence thinks about Blackbushe!!The source of this document 'ChatGBT'...
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 24, 2023 7:48:57 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 24/11/23Britain's largest long-haul airline, BOAC, on one of countless crew training sorties enjoying the benefits of Blackbushe..British Overseas Airways Corporation. The mighty Britannia, 'the Whispering Giant' as she became known was somewhat more of a good neighbour than perhaps the early Comets were when flying circuits?I remember one thing from my early days at school, I was probably around six, we were taught important initials and names. BOAC was one of those, Stratocruisers, and something about long haul flying. Sounded exciting, it was as I found out in later years!!! But not on Stratocruisers....
Today is the anniversary of the founding of BOAC in 1939, Imperial Airways and the original British Airways came together, BOAC flying the long-haul flag until the merger with BEA when once again the name British Airways made the headlines.. BOAC continued flying overseas services throughout World War Two, Mosquitoes flying with the Speedbird emblem were part of the mix!
British Airways today is where many UK independent airlines were consumed. British Caledonian, British Midland, and Dan-Air, for example. Blackbushe based Airwork and Hunting-Clan were taken over by British Caledonian so today's British Airways has a strong gene pool...Hopefully yesterday's dip into the world of AI gave some indication of what lurks out there in the way of information. I asked the same source to provide a piece based on my association with Blackbushe. Six decades of facts, flattery, and some exaggerations poured out of the old PC in about ten seconds... Quite extraordinary!A heart warming sight, a City Hopper F-27 awaiting her passengers on Blackbushe tarmac - years after Blackbushe was supposedly closed. Back in the seventies, I think, Blackbushe 'east' is in the process of turning into today's overgrown graveyard of old memories..Why an F-27 today? 24 November is her birthday, the type first flew on this day in 1955. I remember the excitement of first seeing this new shape along with her turboprop sound effects..
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 25, 2023 7:59:31 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 25/11/23So, 'minus five' outside this morning, I guess we're fortunate to have gotten this far into winter before today's frosty announcement that winter is actually here... Only seven months to the next Blackbushe Air Day!!
What better on a chilly winter's day than to catch up on the extraordinary story that is the Blackbushe story and the latest developments after six long decades of struggle to reach a point where hope has surfaced and the airfield can hopefully look forward to a more viable future than offered by those past decades?
The Blackbushe team have done the most magnificent job in guiding the Airport through the obstacles that have been placed in its way ever since the days when AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett purchased 365 acres of the old airport.
To keep in the picture as accurately as possible you could do no better than spend some time reading the latest on the Blackbushe Airport website. The story is long, complex, and paved with frustration to all who seek to see Blackbushe Airport saved and become a viable aviation enterprise. On this chill Saturday the very latest on the Airport's status may be read here. It's a long and superb account as to the state of play today, well worth familiarising yourself with the facts... It includes the schedule 2(6) application and its history, plus an all important FAQ regarding Common Land. Read this and you will have the facts...
www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/common-land-deregistrationThe road ahead may be clearer now? The A30 has never wavered in its path through Blackbushe Airport, seen here in 1963 as evidence of 'old' Blackbushe's layout was still easy to see..PB
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Post by PB on Nov 26, 2023 8:11:52 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 26/11/23Hopefully some of yesterday's "POTD" customers will have read the details included in the links from the Airport's website? The good ship Blackbushe steadily steams her way to a long awaited sanctuary..
Here within the confines of the Forum's pages and a keyboard that is becoming progressively moody we continue to scan the aviation scene, today's date, for example, offering what at the time were significant events.. The keyboard keeps refusing to print anything, the cure seemingly to pick it up and bang it on the desk.. Life's never easy, but it works...
Today is a day that will be remembered in Bristol. Concorde made her last ever flight returning home for her retirement. Concorde G-BOAF made that sad flight from Heathrow to Filton on this day in 2003, her life spanned just from April 1979. A TV documentary is currently being aired recalling the Concorde story, she indeed was an amazing piece of technology, and she did visit Blackbushe once for a couple of fly-pasts. On that last flight in 2003 Concorde "AF" went supersonic of the west coast of England before returning to Bristol at low level via the city and Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge. Thence the Concorde closed her pages on operational flying, although her story will fly for decades to come..
Back in 1951 Great Britain produced another delta winged aeroplane that made its first flight on this day. The beautiful Gloster Javelin first flew. Twin jet delta with distinctive "T" tail I recall the unique sound of the Javelin, you always knew when one was in the area! An all-weather fighter whose electronics and radar provided the RAF with a valuable asset. The Javelin was the first aeroplane I was to sit in over at RAF Odiham many years ago..Only twelve, I think, but the experience was one of which the effect would be long lasting!!Blackbushe based Airwork carried out contract work for the RAF, the Javelin was one of the types Airwork were involved with causing her unique shape to be a familiar sight amid the many commercial aircraft handled by Airwork, 1957-1958.In 1957 another first flight took place of an aeroplane that would become a visitor to what was left of Blackbushe after the May 1960 closure. The unique shape and also unique sound of the Piaggio P166 first became airborne on this November day in 1957. The Piaggio 166 was a type quite often seen at Blackbushe before the 1960 closure, but for me the most significant visits of the type took place after the Airport had been acquired by AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett. Air traffic was scarce to put it mildly, but to see and hear the 166 back on Blackbushe was one heck of a great experience!One of those Piaggio moments when United Steel's example returned to Blackbushe. She had previously been here in May 1960, just days before the Airport was closed. Her return to the newly demolished Blackbushe must have been a shock, but I bet she wasn't made as welcome last time as she was in those early days around 1961/2.....The road to Blackbushe is paved with so many memories, my sixty years of 'association' with her have certainly yielded some memories, many good, some not so good, but that's how life is. But, it would certainly have been different without Blackbushe and the many friends those years have provided!!For now, it's tea making duty - you have to know where your bread is buttered...!!
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 27, 2023 7:07:04 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 27/11/23Known as "Old shaky" today marks the occasion of the first flight of the Douglas C-124 Globemaster on this day in November way back in 1949...When it comes to size, on 8th September, 1959, the C-124 became the largest aircraft ever to use Blackbushe. It still is.... At the time it was also the world's largest flying machine.. The United States Air Force purchased some 448 C-124's until production stopped in 1955.It wasn't just aircraft that were large at Blackbushe in the fifties, her hangars were very large too! A moment captured in the Silver City/Britavia hangar. Equally large were the hangars of Airwork and Eagle Airways while the US Navy enjoyed their hangar of very considerable extra size compared to anything else on the Airport..For a few precious years Blackbushe enjoyed some excellent new hangars, but sadly they fell into the hands of a used car auctioneering business and are now full of second hand vehicles..We look forward to exciting possibilities in the coming year as to news of improvements to the Airport's viability although it's pretty certain the C-124 will not be coming back...
Meanwhile, you can look to the viability of the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's Christmas Raffle with fabulous prizes, while making sure you don't miss out on the first ever Blackbushe Heritage Trust calendar for 2024!! All on the BHT website, while the Hart Lottery runs every week offering the chance of winning £25,000.. Buying Hart Lottery tickets also supports the Blackbushe Heritage Trust if you nominate BHT when signing up. I was pleased to see a couple of Blackbushe Heritage Trust supporters were on Saturday's list of winners!! www.hartlottery.co.uk/
Do stay in touch with the Heritage Trust, our web connections are here.. www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/ Work proceeds toward our ambition of rolling out a Vickers Viking onto Blackbushe's apron wearing colours of the era. Any help you can offer with the restoration always greatly appreciated.. Why not come along to our festive evening on 21 December at the Pathfinder?? Details of our forthcoming events found here>> www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/events
Hopefully back tomorrow...
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 28, 2023 7:55:09 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 28/11/23Back on the old keyboard, another day starting with the almost religious paying of homage to the airport known as Blackbushe..."POTD" enjoyed its 690,000th visit sometime since yesterday, heading toward three quarters of a million!! Thanks to all who stick with the faith on a daily basis sharing what we can from the bones of Blackbushe past and feasting on hopes for the future and the Airport eventually regaining its pride as a fully equipped aviation facility. You have to admit today's Blackbushe is doing incredibly well considering the difficulties that have littered the way for the past six decades, and indeed hopes are high for better things - more so than anytime during those past six long decades.
I say "long" decades, but in retrospect they have passed in a flash - such is life when you reach a certain point perhaps? Perhaps I have reached that 'certain point', assorted health 'issues' give rise to wondering how the future looks but that's another story. Just hope that we can all enjoy that moment when Blackbushe starts building the 'new Blackbushe'?
Time... It was this day in 1945 that Pan American ordered their fleet of 20 Boeing Stratocruisers. One harbours memories of BOAC Stratocruisers gathered on London Airport's 'North side' when I was about five, my first visit when we made a family outing to view the latest in air transport. London Airport "LAP" was destined to become Heathrow in the future, Blackbushe kept her nose in the equation as London's second airport until May, 1960.
Time...It was on this day in 2005 that Boeing delivered the last of its sleek 757s. 23 years in production, Boeing sold 1,050 examples around the world. Time, I so clearly remember the sleek new 757 appearing at the Farnborough Air Show. The Boeing 7N7 making its Farnborough debut in 1982, it became the 757, the 7X7 became the 767...Those were the days when visitors poured into Blackbushe for the purpose of visiting the Farnborough Air Show. We had our own jet with big fans at the front!Some had engines on of top of the wings..Others had their engines at the back..take your pick which one!!That's my lot today. See you!!
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 29, 2023 8:00:42 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 29/11/23"Dark and hovering around freezing point at 06.30 this late November morning one is grateful for a roof overhead and a peaceful environment compared to the trials and tribulations many innocents are forced to endure in the 21st Century..
That peace was bought at a price, something remembered in November each year. Eight decades ago our green and pleasant land was subjected to devastating air raids and attacks from V1 flying bombs, and great importance was attached to the squadrons based at RAF Hartford Bridge to eliminate the flying bomb launching sites.
If we journey back to this month, and December, of 1943 great emphasis was placed on the 'noball' sites. I believe the expression originated from the United States, but the V1 launching sites were dubbed 'noball' sites and subject to visits by aeroplanes from Hartford Bride, or Blackbushe as we know it today. 34PR Wing, based at Northolt equipped with Mosquito and Spitfires were despatched to seek out and photograph suspected launch sites. On return and analysis of the photos and very soon after their receipt the Hartford Bridge boys were despatched tasked with the job of elimination of Hitler's dastardly weapon via 'noball' raids..
RAF Hartford Bridge had its own very efficient PR squadron. On this day, 29 November 1943, a Mosquito of 140 Squadron photographed Antwerp, Brussels and Liege from 34,000ft on a sortie lasting 2hours 55minutes.
Meanwhile, today 29th November, 1943, the Hartford Bridge Meteorological Section were involved in a ground observation trial of the new FIDO installation which was virtually complete.
To make life on a cold and drafty air base more challenging, life on the Blackbushe plateau can be quite chilly, a bad outbreak of flu hit the base at the end of November, 1943. It soon reached epidemic proportions. Diversions from the misery that swept across the airfield included a variety show put on by the people of Yateley, followed by 'gramaphone' concerts, dances, and a brains' trust. Our old airfield has certainly seen life! More and more personnel fell ill as the flu bug struck home requiring additional sick quarters to be opened to accommodate them.. Squadron Leader Fuber, the Senior Medical Officer, took personal charge, and RAF Nursing Sister Taylor was sent to the camp in an effort to help.A chilly winter's Blackbushe caught by the camera of Mike Biddulph a couple of years ago. If you follow the direction of the main runway toward the upper right hand corner of the photo where once it reached across what is now overgrown Common, to the left are easily seen the white structures of the Business Park that was built on where the United States Navy base and hangar were located. The RAF Hartford Bridge base camp was located on and to the east of today's Blackbushe Business Park and stretched down toward Yateley village. Back then the area was green fields and countryside but quite obviously restrictions on prolific house building were not considered necessary!! In 1960/61 when my more close involvement with Blackbushe started, I would cycle from Crowthorne and route via Yateley village - as it still was a 'village' back then - and the last uphill section on a narrow and twisting Vigo Lane took me past nothing but green field with hedges, cattle, and tranquility. The route lead to the north side of Blackbushe whereupon I once again entered the remains of broken Blackbushe from whence her magnetic field had a pull I could not resist. It still does. But, how things change! The area is now covered by a whole new community and many acres of dwellings as the photo indicates, it is to be hoped that such a liberal outlook of 'building approval' will apply to Blackbushe and the six decades so far spent hoping to build a hangar, or two. It's taking a long time, it's a long story...but keep reading, the concluding 'paragraph' may not be too far away!
Happily, Blackbushe is one of the increasingly rare aerodromes where there is no prospect of housing development today, tomorrow, ever....
PB
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