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Post by PB on Jun 29, 2017 5:49:10 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 29/06/17Yesterday was fun, served to prove how cold one can feel on an aerodrome during flaming June.... Not saying more today... As you see, work is progressing on the History Hub's contents...Oh ha, ha...well, we've got two Viking tyres, slightly used, previously owned. PB
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Post by PB on Jun 30, 2017 5:00:58 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 30/06/17Got you some of the day's inbounds for POTD...Seems like it's July tomorrow, must be why they're coming? ..and few more including the Hurricane and the Pembroke who has now confirmed 100%. Managed to get you a Beech 18 yesterday. He'll be inbound from Leicester over the next two mornings. There is so much more I wish I'd done, or could have done if.. but that's another story. VIP marquee and the History Hub now in location, even the weather.. Looks like our weather guru RJ deserves a hug..Sounds bad after our time in the woods last weekend and time in a tiny room in the Blackbushe Terminal yesterday - but all strictly in the line of duty- for YOU!! Bits of aeroplanes and unique photos.. If I don't appear back here over the weekend hopefully see you at the airfield instead? I'll be in and out of the History Hub or ? No suspected heart attack this time - so far!! See you soon - I've really put all I have, and maybe a bit more, into this coming weekend - with a great team without who we'd be grounded. Your support will be most welcome, and I do hope you enjoy what you see, from where ever you might see it....Maybe there will not be many more days dragging me out of bed at 0400, whether it's been worth it waits to be proven. You'll find that we've changed the flying format. Decided to fly more aeroplanes over a longer period to give all the chance to see more types in the air, not just static. Long story! That's it, over and out!! PB
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Post by PB on Jul 4, 2017 10:17:11 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 04/07/17The Editorial staff having been posted to outside duty at an event of some kind are now limping back into the office. Very sun tanned they are too, if lobster red is your thing, the Editor in Chief having spent two days in the sun has sent a couple of his holiday snaps.. Distinguished guests. Harold Bamberg, Founder Chairman of Eagle Airways, meets Hungarian refugees his airline rescued and flew to Blackbushe and their new lives back in 1956.Lancaster veteran Norman Gregory was flown in by Mike Biddulph. Mike's aircraft parked conveniently alongside the History Hub.Tails from the past. Beaver, Beech 18, Anson, Pembroke. Getting them all here is a story in itself!!Chocks away!!! It's the ATA....
] The Beech 18 arrives.... Vivid memories of the US Navy's FASRON 200, once based at Blackbushe, with "US NAVY" Stearman..Peace and quiet. The end of Day One, mission accomplished.. Putting that cockpit cover on in the breeze was fun, once I'd found which way round it went..Such a great feeling just standing on a Hurri's wing!Cat's eye view...not a U-boat in sight. She's a joy to fly in!Just need three more..and a 747 airframe.More holiday snaps tomorrow! PB
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Post by PB on Jul 5, 2017 6:32:55 GMT
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Post by PB on Jul 6, 2017 6:39:30 GMT
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Post by PB on Jul 7, 2017 6:29:52 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 07/07/17Blackbushe 1977Blackbushe 1992Blackbushe 2016Blackbushe 2017Out of nothing better to do, flicked through some of the events I've given to Blackbushe over the years.. Social media has provided a mass of glowing reports from last weekend, with a few sour grapes thrown in too. I have noted the lack of comment/photos on our forum since 1st and 2nd July....be nice to hear something from our members after the past months of torment to bring them something from the new world of draconian restrictions. The past months have been the worst I can remember from "stress" related circumstances - the 75th was without doubt the most difficult event to date under the shadow of Shoreham, bureaucracy, ever growing restrictions, and the army of H&S fences put up to deter one's enthusiasm. "When's the next one?" various comedians have asked me.... Having invested thousands in security, medical facilities, parking, insurance, etc etc and dropping aircraft - due to today's draconian knee jerkers - that once we flew at Blackbushe without any unreasonable risk, I feel that any attempt to repeat what we've just done would probably kill me.. That's a price I'm not willing to pay. It saddens me looking back at the aircraft I was forced to cancel. I bitterly regret having to cancel some of my jets, high energy performers, and large airspace demanding displays - but I was forced into a corner, and my dreams of another 1977 were dealt a nasty blow. We live in a curious world where living in a glass case protected by copious quantities of cotton wool is the way ahead. If you spent some time at the 75th would love to see some more photos on the forum.. It may be the last time you'll see anything more than circuit bashing!! PB
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Post by PB on Jul 8, 2017 6:29:14 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 08/07/17Saturday. A week has flown since the 75th, it's successes and its blemishes..plans for our departure from Southampton today aboard a large boat have sunk, but hopefully will be refloated in a month or two..the winding down will soon be complete, and I'm left scratching the sun ripened scalp as to what one can possibly do in the future at Blackbushe?? At the moment, not a lot unless the CAA review their policies toward public air events. Toward that end, there are signs that a softening will occur in due course, but for now I'm sliding away a bit like the adder on Yateley Common who got a little close for comfort. Don't know about you, but this year has vanished in a flash, prob because of the stresses surrounding last weekend...winter seems like another world as temps around 30C keep us steaming. A winter's day, like looking into another world....I'm taking it easy this morning, time to enjoy the summer! PB
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Post by PB on Jul 9, 2017 9:08:16 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 09/07/17Don't know where it went, but a week has slipped by since the 75th... To wake up almost free of the torment imposed by bringing the 75th to reality is, well, beyond description. Probably sounds a bit over the top, but the obstacles, political posers, barbed arrows carrying rules and regulations, huge payouts for the required safety facilities, health & safety, being forced to cancel aircraft of great importance -"vintage jets" for example - don't remind me... I stuck to the JP and ended up with two! Some very strange events took place a few days before the 75th which basically tried to cancel the entire show. High level intervention saved the day, but I will for ever find it hard to forgive events that so nearly laid to waste the months of effort that deprived me of proper sleep since last September. If anybody fancies taking on the next show, sign here..... it's fun all the way. Today's POTD was taken 25 years ago, the 50th Anniversary, the Pembroke came back last week by good fortune and sponsorship (Mike thank you!!). Joined happily by the Rapide, Anson, Beech 18, and Dakota to represent those golden days of the fifties, we lost the Jersey based Heron by the skin of the paperwork that grounded her for the weekend. All tech issues had been resolved, the Heron was looking at running a "daily" service to Blackbushe from the Channel Isles on each day of the 75th. A route familiar to those who recall services from Blackbushe in the fifties.. Failed to get a DC-6 back, maybe some day, Vikings are at a premium, as are DC-4, Hermes, Viscounts, Connies, Yorks, Ambassadors, and Bristol Freighters. Just imagine! I failed badly, but at least we still have our sign conveying the images of those wonderful days unknown to so many. No plans at the moment for further flying events. Much depends on the CAA's attitude easing on current limitations, and one or two other considerations. The most important aspects in the immediate future are going to be directed toward the Airport's future and increasing her viability as a serious well equipped player in the UK airport scene. It won't be overnight...but for now just be glad we still have an airfield at all - the new owners of Blackbushe are the most serious we've had with regard to increasing the Airport's value to aviation. POTD might take a break for a day or two while the batteries recharge, the office mess of wall to wall "75th" paperwork is cleared up, the grass is cut, and life returns to how it used to be!! Mind how you go.. PB
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Post by PB on Jul 10, 2017 7:41:58 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 10/07/17Quick look back to a moment frozen in time.... March, 1963. Short finals for 08. The hold below three years earlier was the domain of the independent airlines, heavy transports, BOAC & BEA crew training, the US Navy...A few changes had been made to the scene since HMG closed the Airport in May, 1960. PB
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Post by PB on Jul 12, 2017 6:50:41 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
12/07/17A quick return to the 'editorial' seat... A question this morning...it comes from recent rumbling around the local skies in a Consolidated amphibian. BB on 1st July, 2017. Considering the planning restrictions, and areas of SSI imposed on the operational part of Blackbushe, strange how the surrounding area can be desecrated for gravel extraction with acres of woodland totally destroyed, creaping car auction expansion and other non aviation industrial growths? The Airport survives on temporary planning arrangements..Surely after the passage of 57 years since the airfield was closed, and struggling ever since to survive with no permanent planning, common sense should prevail? The owners of the airfield wish to develop a GA centre of quality and make Blackbushe an airfield with facilities to be proud of. Environmentally friendly, good for the local economy, and employment...perhaps I'm just too simplistic? PB
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