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Post by PB on Apr 20, 2024 6:02:19 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 20/04/24It's a beautiful morning at 06.30, temperature on the roof just a tad over +1C, vapour trails that started in the USA looking peachy pink as they transit the UK. Down to Earth it's a great scene too as at 0700 Blackbushe re-opens to fixed wing air traffic following the two week closure due to the new runway lighting installation programme.
If you care to check-out the Airport's website www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/agl The very latest news awaits regarding the remaining installation programme. Here's what the coming week has in store..
Week commencing Monday 22 April
Taxiway A closure for final ducting crossing to be installed.
Ducting across north end of Bravo Parking
Runway hold & wig-wag light bases to be installed, first on A, then moving westward to C1, D, E1 in turn. This will require closures of each taxiway in turn.
Works outside the runway strip finishing pits, installing windsock bases, and various electrical work.
Evening works on PAPI bases within the runway strip. OOH may be unavailable, check with Tower.Signs of the times, nineteen fifties? Nope nineteen seventies.. Thanks to Steve Hocking for this photo of Doug Arnold's Dakotas and the distant US Navy hangar that for a while captured something of the scene in the 1950s. Only something, but it gives an impression of Blackbushe from the A30 years ago, impressions that for some of us are impossible to forget! The concrete fence posts go back to AVM Bennett's days when we acquired a vast length of fencing from a horse racing circuit. The team from Blackbushe would go out each day to remove and transport the fence ready for re-installation along the length of the A30. The photo shows in dramatic contrast how trees and gorse bushes have obliterated the fence where once undisturbed views across Blackbushe were available to all!Here's to a great day of flying at Blackbushe, POTD returns tomorrow with the latest of our weekly recollections of Blackbushe (RAF Hartford Bridge) during those weeks that lead to D Day in 1944.
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 21, 2024 6:58:45 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 21/04/24In keeping with the past few Sundays, another look at Blackbushe (RAF Hartford Bridge) during the months of 1944 leading up to D Day. Today we travel back to April, 1944...Last week we concluded our look at RAF Hartford Bridge with memories from W/O Jimmy Armstrong of 226 Squadron in March 1944. His recollections were told to Stuart Marshal, Airport Manager Blackbushe, when he came to the airfield on the 60th Anniversary of D Day in 2004.
Jimmy's recall of past days in 1944 included jumping onto his racing bike when he had any spare time and heading down to the tea shop in Yateley to get refreshment: tea, cocoa, and tarts or cakes etc, as it made a change from staying on camp. He told Stuart that they were lovely ladies who tried very hard to help him relax with a friendly chat and a smile.
Jimmy and Stuart visited the Anchor Pub in Vigo Lane where he told Stuart he could buy a pint of beer for 6 old pence or if there were a few of them they would buy a bucket full for under £1 as it was much cheaper that way. With whisky at 9 old pence Jimmy recalled having some good evenings there. On going outside he sat on a bench near the front door assuring Stuart it was definitely the same one he had sat on all those years earlier.
The month of April 1944 was to see the continuation of strikes against transport and V1 sites by the squadrons, with daylight raids being carried out early in the month against the marshalling yards at Monceau and La Louviere and engine sheds at Charleroi where V1's were being stored.
On the 76th thee was a nasty accident when Cpl Cook of 3126 Servicing Echelon was killed instantly when the guns of one of the based Mitchell bombers were fired in error.
The same day 140 Squadron left for RAF Northolt, Middlesex.
Although by this time 34 PR Wing had departed to RAF Northolt to be nearer to SHAFE headquarters, the mobile photography unit and support wing remained at Hartford Bridge.
More raids were carried out by the squadrons on the Charleroi marshalling yards on the 8th and 10th of the month although the operation on the 10th had to be abandoned due to bad weather. During the operation on the 8th one of 88 Squadron's aircraft had been forced to crash land in Romney Marsh due to engine problems.
On the 11th a new strategy commenced when 226 Squadron started single aircraft "intruder" attacks on selected targets and the other squadrons started offensive operations against known enemy gun emplacements. This was in addition to their tireless efforts against enemy transport and the V1 sites. Although their time was being taken up by these varied operations, at regular intervals the squadron still had to undertake refresher training and testing of smoke-laying equipment - often at tree top height. There was no let-up.
342 Squadron attacked a concentration of enemy vehicles in the Mezidon-Canon area on the 12th and on the 14th were in action again, this time against a field fuel dump at Conde sur Vire, south of St Lo where only weak flak was encountered. Another operation on the 16th saw them going back to Mexidon-Canon, this time to attack the railway marshalling yards where they once again only encountered weak flak. 16 Squadron finally left for RAF Northolt on the same date.
General Eisenhower, Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Forces, was met at Hartford Bridge by a very high ranking delegation when he visited the airfield on the 18th in very foggy conditions. To meet him when he drove up were Air Vice Marshal Leigh Mallory KCB, DSO, MC, DFC, AFC, Commander on Chief 2nd Tactical Air Force, with General Brereton, Commanding General 9th USAAF, and Air Vice Marshal Embry, Air Officer Commanding N0 2 Group, with G/Capt MacDonald, Station Commander. Personnel who had been assembled in one of the large hangars to await his arrival were impressed when his car appeared from the gloom and on getting out he very informally greeted then with 'Hello Boys' and invited them to fall in around him. He then proceeded to thank them for their efforts with the noball raids (operations involved with V1 sites) and outlined plans for the build-up to D Day, the invasion of Europe.Fighters, bombers, FIDO, all formed the rich history created while Hartford Bridge went to war. Remember the sacrifices made as the wind blows across the airfield today, it must carry many memories..
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 22, 2024 6:22:36 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 22/04/24Hopefully yesterday's latest account of life at RAF Hartford Bridge was of interest? Today the POTD editorial body is committing itself into the hands of the NHS for an early morning conversation as to the future, not of POTD but yours truly - the future of both are interlinked!! While we received a significant amount of rain recently evidence that rain knew how to fall way back in the seventies!! The Alan Curtis Bulldog gets its feet wet..Recall also of life at Blackbushe while we had proper hangars! Filled with warbirds and also the Air Hanson/Premier Helicopter operations seeing aviation business conducted in modern hangars at Blackbushe was sweet - but short. We look forward to the days when Blackbushe Airport once gain offers modern hangarage!! Meanwhile the new lighting programme moves forward at pace. The future is coming...Meanwhile I must depart to the morning's early appointment.
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 23, 2024 5:53:12 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 23/04/24Once again sincere thanks to the faithful half dozen who add their 'likes' to the daily offering of "POTD" each morning, sure helps with the continuity of this morning activity that has become ingrained in the few remaining editorial grey cells! The medical situation here at POTD's corporate headquarters continues to entertain, needles today and needles tomorrow while awaiting results and doctors' decisions on future fun..
Far more importantly, work continues toward rejuvenating Blackbushe with her all new lighting system as we await news regarding the Airport's proposed 'land-exchange' that would facilitate the construction of much needed hangars. Who ever heard of an airfield upon which you could not build shelter for aeroplanes? With the Public Consultation wrapped-up we await the latest news as to what happens next. If you've not read the Airport's website on the subject.. "A planning inspector with experience in deciding matters of common land deregistration and exchange will be allocated by PINS. Depending on the representations received during the public consultation and other factors, the inspector will decide whether to determine the application based on written submissisons or to hold a Public Inquiry. We anticipate an inquiry is likely based on our analysis of other similar cases".How time flies, today marks the anniversary of the Cessna Citation Mustang's first flight on 23 April, 2005..A few of the many seen at Blackbushe. The Citation Mustang, quiet, compact, comfortable and entirely suited to airfields such as Blackbushe.. Happy Birthday little Mustang!See you tomorrow..
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 24, 2024 6:42:07 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 24/04/24Another grey and well chilled morning to launch us into what could be a very pleasant time to be in England -
"Oh to be in England Now that April's there"
The famed words of Robert Browing's 'Home thoughts from Abroad'. At this moment home thoughts suggest it would be nice to be abroad!
It is what it is, the BBC ram global warming down our throats and the PM announces a massive spend on armaments to place us on a 'war footing', or perhaps to gain a few extra votes cometh the day.
Before I dragged myself from the night's slumbers this morning my mind was reflecting on some beautiful April/May mornings back at good old Blackbushe in 1964. Some things just lock themselves to memory and one morning in particular registered itself in the 'do not forget' box that happily still can reveal its contents. The day that cometh to mind was during the period when I worked for AVM Bennett as the Airport's 'operations department', a role that entailed much flexibility as to the duties carried out! We only had a few resident aircraft, Three Counties Aero Club's Austers and Colts, Blackbushe Aero Club's Auster and Magister, and a very few privately owned aircraft. A Tiger Moth, Jackaroo, Hornet Moth, Taylorcraft +D, and another Auster. The grass area now used for parking the Airport's fleet of resident aeroplanes and its H pads was used for the Tiger Moth and Jackaroo to land and take-off. It provided enough space and saved precious tail skids from scraping around the taxiways. The morning I have in mind was when Captain Charles Watson and his daughter spent some time flying circuits in the Jackaroo using the aforementioned grass area for the purpose. The area was very yellow with dandelions in flower, millions of them, and the Jackaroo, G-APAL, gently landing and taking-off in their midst provided the most pleasant of memories!
The years have now flown, back then I was the young kid on the block, totally obsessed with the saving of Blackbushe, flying, and anything else that involved wings. Sixty years later the 'new kid on the block' description is no longer valid, perhaps something like 'old git on the keyboard' but the obsession with Blackbushe and its well being is no less buoyant than it was in the 1960's. Varied health issues lurk in the shadows, but one remains optimistic of being spared long enough to see some new hangars and at last rejoice amid the new Blackbushe so longed for for so long? Who knows...?
The future is an unpredictable animal, aviation being at the forefront of technology will continue to produce ever more airborne wizardry, it's the name of the game.. On this day back in 2001 a Global Hawk flew from Edwards Air Force Base in the USA to Australia, the longest point to point flight ever made by an unmanned pilotless aircraft. 23hours to cross the Pacific. Is that an indication of how our skies may be populated in years to come??
A couple of precious memories from the early sixties. Manning the AVM's Land Rover and armed with Aldis lights Blackbushe offered some form of ground to air communication! A Sunday long ago using runway 01 we see the late Holly Birkett landing his resident Auster, G-APKL, and the late Reg Venning guiding his Taylorcraft G-AHUG back to earth.Sadly, like so many others from those precious early days, Holly and Reg are no longer with us, but they're all very much with me in memory. As a schoolboy in those early years at Blackbushe these guys were not only great friends - they were my heroes! At the time the two above photos were taken the local authority granted Blackbushe 28 flying days a year!! This was one of those precious days, a restriction that before long was lifted and the airfield was able to fly year round. Things have come a long way since the early sixties, but it's quite remarkable that after six decades the airfield is still not able to provide permanent hangars. BUT, all being well that will change in the next twelve months. Hope prevails, a hope that started in 1960 and will hopefully witness the sight of a new Blackbushe rising from the mists of the past decades..
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 25, 2024 9:12:45 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 25/04/24Good morning! Winter temperatures prevail, can't help feeling we're being cheated out of something slightly nicer? Anyway, it's nice to be here in the "POTD" seat on the one day in the week where NO medical appointments await! Just waiting for results from MRI scans and assorted tests, but I am quite confident that there's nothing much to worry about.. The papers carry the usual disconcerting news from our 21st Century occupation of the planet, but most disconcerting of all - to me - is the fact that the great TV series of the eighties "Terry and June" has been branded by the wokerati as being offensive!! What could have been less offensive than that?? Looks like all the classic comedy series of the time such as 'Fawlty Towers' or 'It Ain't half hot Mum' have been condemned by some force that wishes to drive us back to Victorian times or beyond. Maybe I should feel ashamed of enjoying such simple pleasures when younger?
Anyway, that's got nothing to do with Blackbushe Airport except, of course, for the parties who have influenced the years of delays to the progress that rational thinking would have agreed to long ago..
Moving swiftly onwards it is of note that an airfield not too far from Blackbushe is suffering regarding from a threat, not to build new hangars but to knock 'em down... Over at leafy Fairoaks the owner of its hangars (the actual airfield is owned by another company) has applied to demolish Hangar B1, apparently for a film studio? Where will aircraft go? Open air parking in the elements - or maybe at another airfield where hangars might be available before too long? This news reported by the GAAC suggests that another airfield in Surrey has perhaps not got the brightest of futures? Dunsfold and Wisley are good examples of a County Council's opposition to aviation!!
In Hampshire - fingers crossed!Here's an example of an airfield in Hampshire served by a major trunk road that ran through it!!Another example of 'that' airfield in Hampshire after this French Air Force Vautour made an emergency landing having diverted from RAF Odiham. Blackbushe had the better crash facilities!The airfield - Blackbushe - that has survived the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' annually celebrates with an Air Day as seen last June, and will before long offer a totally new 21st Century lighting system, and much more over the coming couple of years if all goes well!!Meanwhile, safe and snug in its own hangar, a 'ghost' of Blackbushe past looks forward to a new future as the Airport's salute to its past, and our aviation heritage thanks to the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's rescue of a very rare Viking airliner, one that epitomises those days when Blackbushe was a big league player in the nation's commercial air transport network.Running very late today, sorry if we missed your Corn Flakes this morning!
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 26, 2024 5:57:23 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 26/04/24"POTD" checking-in for another day..another grey April day, 06.00 on the "POTD" weather station up there with the pigeons and TV aerials all it can manage is +4C, at least it's dead-calm so cross-winds won't be a problem!
A more serious problem than the weather is the fact that airfields around the country are categorised as brownfield sites. Our present government and the other lot 'in waiting' are both telling us that they will build thousands of new houses across our green and pleasant land and that means brownfield sites and even what is called greyfield sites can expect new neighbours to move in after the election..if the vows are maintained! Would any airfield be safe? Looking around here Wisley, Fairoaks, Popham, and Dunsfold look set to expect new residents in the form of rows of houses in 'leafy green suburbs' as some of the developers' blurb suggests...Take away our airfields and General Aviation in this country is all but damned.
Yesterday the General Aviation Advisory Council released a petition to bring the dire possibilities for our airfields to a wider audience - including the government.
I give you yesterday's statement from the GAAC...
"..... airfields are often mostly grass land. Reclassifying them as green belt could help protect our green countryside, protect local employment and protect general aviation.
General Aviation airfields are home to wild flowers, plants and grasses as well as many small animals and birds such as Skylarks which are on the red list. Many future commercial pilots start their training at these airfields
We can protect GA airfields from being so vulnerable to closure by designating them as greenfield sites. This could help to achieve the government’s strategy to achieve JetZero and NetZero- as well as help to cement the UK as a world leader in general aviation".
GAAC have now launched a petition to highlight this situation and with enough signatures are hopeful to at least get a government response to the situation...10,000 signatures and the government will respond to the petition, 100,000 and it will be considered for debate in parliament. We all have a duty to sign NOW! So far 4,500 signatures received..
Here's a link to the petition, please do your duty!! petition.parliament.uk/petitions/660502/signatures/new Blackbushe on the nose recently, one of our safe airfields at the moment, a vast open greenfield space where aviation will always protect that status. As for the mass of parked vehicles you'll have to ask British Car Auctions about them, nothing to do with the Airport operation.Do General Aviation a favour, sign the petition before you do anything else - the future in your hands!!
PB
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