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Post by PB on Jun 19, 2020 7:28:20 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 19/06/20When you've cheated the biblical "three score years and ten" allocation of life one might be forgiven if battles with modern technology might seem a bit overwhelming? Last night was such, and I do not like to be beaten down by man, machine, or clever things with chips in.... Happily the answers to most problems can be worked out via the wonder of Google and the occasional call to someone 'who'll know'! What might seem simple to those born of the silicon chip age can be a little more taxing to those born of the glowing valve age! Maybe one's valves are not glowing so brightly now? Nonetheless, all systems now running 100% although a short night punctuated by dreams fired by the earlier stresses has left POTD under threat of being a non starter today..
Yesterday the French Air Force and the Royal Air Force were airborne together over British and French soil, quite some while since the Free French flew from the Hartford Bridge airbase working with the RAF..Dame Vera departed our world on the same day. The world needs people who can shine a light in the darkest of times, and Vera Lynn shone the brightest of lights as the free world fought its way from the clutches of an evil dictatorship for whom success would have placed the world in darkness for a long while. Dame Vera after 103 years has departed, let's hope her light still shines for years to come as her soul soars to new horizons.. until we meet again? 1970's Blackbushe, but shades of 1940's Blackbushe.. "We'll meet again, don't know where....."PB
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Post by PB on Jun 20, 2020 6:29:10 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 20/06/20There's one place you may want to be today. At home.Why? www.aerobility.com/armchair-airshow-2020Aerobility's "Armchair Air Show" is something if aviation is in your blood you won't want to miss..... Flight line seating, no crowds, no weather worry, just enjoy the show and if you feel Aerobility deserve your support for the amazing work they do for the disabled why not make a donation via the link? www.aerobility.com/armchair-airshow-2020
Enjoy!!
PB
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Post by PB on Jun 21, 2020 8:47:28 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 21/06/20Congratulations must be poured onto Aerobility and their marathon Arm Chair Airshow yesterday. Not without one or two technical issues encountered on their courageous journey, the content and interviews with a broad cross section of the aviation, air show scene were excellent and we look forward to a cut and edited version in due course. Happily, the occasion also raised considerable revenue for Aerobility. As with all charities the current lockdown has inflicted harm on their financial lifeblood, hopefully present restrictions will start to ease before too much longer? Sounds as if that may be the case....Let's hope it won't be too long before Bushe Cafe clients are able to see Aerobility operations back in top gear..Another "Picnic by the Planes" would be welcome - another chance to invite some interesting aeroplanes to picnic alongside - but don't make your sandwiches yet, nothing on the drawing board.The immortal sounds, Merlins over Blackbushe as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight saluted the official opening of Aerobility's new hangar.Have a nice day...
PB
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Post by PB on Jun 22, 2020 5:41:45 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 22/06/20Our longest day slides off into history... Time is flying like never before, not quite sure why as it's been a pretty grim year one way - and another...
POTD continues to receive plenty of visitors each day (thank you!!), enough to fuel her tanks for continued operation and continued keyboard wear.. Be great to hear a little more positive input or stories from our Members?Plus 30C forecast this week, hopefully lots of eyeballs will be experiencing this view as the temperatures go up and lockdown goes down?Cloudless blue skies early on this June Monday. I'm off to enjoy them....PB
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Post by PB on Jun 22, 2020 10:06:44 GMT
"Photo of the Day Part Two" 22 June, 2020It happened on this day 75 years ago, when Blackbushe was not even a couple of years old.... The Vickers Viking made its first flight!!! Developed from the trusty old Wellington bomber, the Viking became the spine of many of this country's newly growing independent airlines in the 1950's, some thirty examples were based at Blackbushe during this time. Without doubt, Blackbushe based Eagle Airways operated more Vikings than any other independent carrier.
PB
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Post by PB on Jun 23, 2020 5:49:41 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 23/06/20Looking from the POTD windows another perfect English summer day in store, 30C or thereabouts? It all looks so peaceful...A keeper of the peace and another example of Blackbushe's road side photo opportunities... 7th September, 1959, Farnborough Week. 16 Squadron's Canberra B8 begs the question as to where else could you approach a nuclear bomber quite so intimately without being dragged off by the law or a member of the armed services? Amazing times, happily aeroplanes ares still seen adjacent to the A30, nowadays generally types without the design purpose of the Canberra... Today marks the anniversary of the Canberra's retirement from the Royal Air Force, 55 years after joining up and 57 years after the types first flight.
The Forum is hopefully not going to retire just yet, but it would be great to hear from more of our Members now and again! Please feel free to make your comments suggestions, opinions, gripes, or your personal experiences with Blackbushe - or aviation - direct to the Forum so as we all may share them...
PB
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Post by PB on Jun 24, 2020 8:48:36 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 24/06/20Immense thanks to "springer 123" for his hugely welcome and positive addition to our Forum yesterday! blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/13891Further positive contributions from our members would be so welcome. POTD's daily 'visits' are holding up giving sufficient drive to continuing our journey along the road to Blackbushe for a while longer. A moment in time a few years back. The non-radio craft wisely headed back to terra firma in good time..
PB
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Post by PB on Jun 25, 2020 5:23:04 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 25/06/2025th June..half way to Christmas. The notable difference to December being around 04.00 as the eastern sky take on that fiery reddy orange colour denoting a fiery day to come.. Somehow reminiscent of fiery days in the Gulf states as that great red orb climbed with perfect regularity from behind the sand dunes and endless desert...
Life as an elder of the community offers so many memories to fall back on, memories in my case that remain attached to Blackbushe with powerful sentiment. My Mum died when I was eleven, a shattering blow, the ensuing period of time found me haunting Blackbushe, the full blown civil airport it was at the time, it provided an escape, a refuge, where untroubled life seemed to carry on quite happily! Happily, that is, until a few months later, May 1960, when Blackbushe was closed and my 'friend' was ripped apart before me. May account for the ongoing sentiments I might cast now and again? Whatever, it's here to stay....and happily I know many of our members are happy to share accounts from those golden years.Once given a tour of the Airport by the Head of Air Traffic the views from atop the old Control Tower were priceless. This photo came from "Flyboy", but gives a hint of the daily views the Tower staff had before May, 1960!A visiting Varsity taxis by, the United States Navy producing its back drop of military types that depended on Blackbushe for their 'anchor' to British soil..Lovely lumps of aeroplane, such as this RAF Hastings, were part of normal Blackbushe life. Showed how firm the Blackbushe grass is too!Visitors of all types could be anticipated, especially during Farnborough Week!The latter years produced new shapes, shapes and aircraft that would reappear as Blackbushe rose from the dead in the early 1960's.. and I found a new relationship with an old and dear friend!Seen in the 1950's, G-APBC of Derby Airways was also our first Dakota to return to 'post closure' Blackbushe... This return flight during the time I worked at the Airport for AVM Bennett, a day like no other when able to greet an airliner back to Blackbushe's hallowed tarmac.Early days.. and G-APBC came back!!!! Blackbushe by now a very different animal to the Blackbushe Airport when this aeroplane last called.D-EFUP, a Rhien RW3-P75 'Multoplan'. Had you been at Blackbushe between 19 and 19 August, 1958, you might have seen her too....A few old memories for those who care to share them...and I believe there are one or two left?
Have a cool day........... sorry about the focus and small size of one shot. They'll be like that, or not at all..
PB
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Post by PB on Jun 26, 2020 8:46:54 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 26/06/20AS June lives up to its "Flaming" title it's not just the weather that's been receiving good reports of late. As mentioned elsewhere on our Forum yesterday Blackbushe has enjoyed increases in heli, jet, and general visitor flying backed up with substantial flight movements from her resident aircraft. Fuel sales too have been reaching for the sky..
Early June POTD reported on activity at Blackbushe (RAF Hartford Bridge) during D-Day in 1944. This was a busy station and military life was conducted in seemingly hard ways. POTD has been accused of living in the past recalling Blackbushe's famed records but surely her history is something that should not be forgot? History is the raft upon which our todays are floated on, a fact that might be recalled elsewhere judging by recent events, but that is well off the Forum's territory this morning. The "Airlines of Blackbushe Airport" sign continues to inform the airfield's visitors of a proud and today largely unknown - or forgotten - commercial past.
Back to June of 1944...Yesterday, 25th, No 142 Airfield Headquarters arrived to occupy a tented site. 264 Squadron were not amused by the hardships that followed. In addition to flying they were called upon to perform sundry duties on the airfield plus study intelligence reports, and study aircraft recognition Squadron spare time was often enjoyed away from the airfield in search of greater comfort. Official policy stated that being placed under canvas would produce the necessary "toughening up" before being moved to France... Hotels were looked for in Slough, Windsor, and Camberley where a decent bed might be found!! Competition for rooms came from Londoners escaping the Blitz.. 88 Squadron were also shown the "toughening up" process and moved into tented accommodation. The Ely Hotel just east of Blackbushe on the A30 is still a popular haunt today, in 1944 it was even more popular perhaps where a descent meal awaited for around 5/-. That's five shillings to younger readers, coffee was extra. 25P in 2020 terminology. A Pilot Officer at the time was paid 13/6 per day.
Some monochrome signs of wartime activity, residing B-25s and some of Doug Arnold's "Warbirds of Great Britain" captured at Blackbushe in the 1970's...One of five here for filming and few months down time..Not enough aircraft for your film? The movie crews built their own!Neil Williams keeps an eye on things as Doug runs up his beautiful Spitfire. Two engines......or three?The apron often had a rare mix of aircraft on show during the days of Doug.... Just another chapter in the ever lengthening saga of Blackbushe Airport...
PB
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Post by PB on Jun 27, 2020 6:01:16 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 27/06/20What a difference a day makes..Yesterday southern England demonstrated a semi-Saharan climate, today it's well, more English....
A couple more monochrome moments from days gone by. Pre 1960 rain dampens the US Navy as they sail past the main car park fence.The Neptune was very much a stock shape at 1950's Blackbushe....The Fokker Triplane not quite such a stock item, but a performer at the 1977 Blackbushe Air Festival.1970's Blackbushe and the Royal Flying Corps were represented by this delightful Sopwith resident..Nothing like a bit of variety....Grimes Beech 18 'flying Christmas tree' lighting demonstrator and Ormond's beautiful T-31, "The Black Knight"....For those of us who have been around a while, one thing Blackbushe is not short of is memories. Sadly, too many faces missing from the joyful seventies era when much memory making was under way.. Time will have its way.
PB
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