PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
12/01/21

Funny thing. Back in 1961 365 acres of land became private freehold property. They were very flat but destitute acres, sad forlorn adandoned. A year prior to the scene the abandoned acres had been a part of the south's second largest commercial airport, before that it had served valiantly proudly wearing the colours of the Royal Air Force from whence young men went to war and too often failed to return. Funny thing, this tract of land with its extraordinary and unique history has taken its place in the hearts of many. Some remember the far reaches of her story, more can relate with deep affection stories of commercial days, the growth of British independent airlines and the United States Navy's welcome decision to establish its UK land base here.

Funny thing. This airfield has a way of working its way into the hearts of many, either from pure nostalgia to personal hands on, but maybe its just built into the nature of Blackbushe Airport? An airfield built on what can only be described as nature's airfield - the Hartford Bridge Flats - this old airfield captures the attention of passers by as it suddenly appears from tree shrouded countryside as they traverse the A30 London Southampton trunk road. Suddenly, a panorama on the wide and wild Hartford Bridge Flats, aircraft, windsocks, the Terminal, a cafe, flying schools... Sadly to many of the younger generations they will never see or feel the thrill of airliners, military aircraft, and the wide infrastructure that was Blackbushe until May 1960..BUT, it's true to say the airfield retains its fascination and with it her potential to achieve bigger and greater things if freed of current and needless restrictions.

Funny thing. A deep affection lives and grows for this airfield and its unique history, its unique rather wild and lonesome location where history bubbles and hopes run high. POTD and the Forum from which it appears each day, social media pages devoted to Blackbushe Airport, books written on the Airport's history like those of Robert Belcher, all are testament to the growing following and deep affection held for the place we call Blackbushe. Funny thing is it's spent sixty years under the thumb of intransigent bureaucracy, how can this be when so many wish to see the airfield developed? Not just aircraft enthusiasts but the aviation businesses who if able to establish themselves here would truly see blood surging through those airport arteries and full and healthy life restored to the airfield on the 'Flats'...






The forties. A field of heroes! The King held an investiture for those who were prepared to give their all.





The fifties..a field of memories! A typical scene from the A30...




The sixties.. A field of hope. Flying struggled to return to the south's 'natural airfield'..




The seventies.. Celebration, show time, time to show Blackbushe with unfurled feathers..




The eighties..local bureaucracy continued to destroy what they could, today they spend OUR money to achieve their unwarranted animosity..




..and after 75 extraordinary years serving aviation as best she could, Blackbushe enjoyed a birthday like none other she had had before!!




Today things are kind of quiet, the World is kind of quiet, but this will pass and scenes like this will return.



Funny thing. Despite all her hardships, the spirit of Blackbushe is indomitable, carried by you and all who respect and appreciate the value of Blackbushe Airport be it in war, commercial activity or the tiresome antics of local bureaucracy.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
13/01/21


Way back in 2019 the Planning Inspectorate held a Public Inquiry as to Blackbushe Airport's endeavour to de-register a section of Common Land pertaining to the sprawling acres of Yateley Common. A simple task surely, 115 acres, a fraction of the Airport's whole wherein de-registration would permit the hoped for construction of new hangars, a new Terminal allowing comfortable passenger handling facilities, new offices for the Airport's tenants who occupy various temporary structures, and the missing airport facility - aircraft engineering. Hopes were high that the decades long battle for Blackbushe would soon come to an end if the Inspector approved the de-registration application. The Inquiry's days heard detailed evidence from parties supporting and against the proposal. Hampshire County Council muscled in, requested permission to attend on a 'neutral' basis considering themselves qualified advisors toward Blackbushe's ultimate fate..

It was during the Inquiry that the "C" word first seemed to be coming from everyone's lips. Previously I had never had cause to use it, indeed I did not even know what it was or referred to. However, "Curtilage" was the word of the moment, and in 2021 it still has a grip on the Airport's future. Why? Good question.

The Planning Inspector found in favour of the Airport's de-registration Application, the future suddenly seemed clearer than it at any time during the past sixty years. Until, that is, Hampshire County Council lobbed their grenade under the door detonating their objection to the Inspector's decision. Something they were legally permitted to do. Soon two more years will have dragged by as a result of Hampshire's finger in the pie. Last year's High Court hearing to challenge Hampshire was inconclusive, hence the next hurdle at the Court of Appeal in February. All this is costing a fortune from the Airport and the County's expenditure thanks to "curtilage" and the argument as to whether the Terminal is curtilage to the runways or the other way round. In common law curtilage is the land surrounding a dwelling including associated buildings and structures but excluding associated 'open fields' beyond. The argument as to whether the runway needs a Terminal, or vice versa, rumbled on whereby legal opinions flexed in all directions and dear old Blackbushe could but swallow deeply and brace herself for more years of frustration and lacking the ability to become viable or sustainable in the long term.

Blackbushe Airport and all who value her can be nothing more than eternally grateful to the Investor group who remain totally committed to the Airport and turning her into the General Aviation asset so many of us dream about. Thanks to Hampshire County for their 'advisory' capacity at the 2019 Inquiry and subsequently overturning the apple cart at the expense of all who pay their taxes to support the County rulers who admit to being 'cash strapped' and necessarily cutting back on public services.




The grounds of The Elvetham where the 2019 Planning Inquiry was held. The church was no longer used but added to the mood as I walked to join the Inquiry's second day. The photo captures the mood, rather sombre, but hopes that the mist would soon clear were high? Clutching my mass of documents bristling with evidence, this was the day when I would speak for Blackbushe.




Life (the battle) goes on. Another photo opportunity, this time entering the High Court for last year's two day session in hope of over turning Hampshire County Council's plot to prevent Blackbushe from becoming an airport with the facilities any grown-up airport must have..



Today Blackbushe under pandemic conditions serves emergency services, Police, Medical, and Military flights. Happily Hampshire County have not yet succeeded in removing this resource.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
14/01/21


For those of a mystic persuasion 13 is considered a number apparently loaded with misfortune. No idea why, although hotels tend to avoid "Room 13" or even a thirteenth floor, but for those who hold the number in some kind of respect 2021 has just passed through its first 13th of the month... Sadly, the virus again proved its command with yet again record numbers of deaths across the UK. The scenario is akin to a science fiction movie where science and a vaccine partake of a global race for supremacy, sadly it's not a movie.

Had you been able to set foot on RAF Blackbushe on 13th January, 1945, both good and bad luck would have been in the air. A B-17 Flying Fortress diverted arriving at Blackbushe as her base was clamped under the weather. Lucky. Operations continued, 418 Mosquito Squadron were launched with twelve aircraft dispatched to tackle ground resistance in the Bastogne area of the Ardennes. A barracks was attacked while lights coming from woods usefully pin pointed enemy troop locations. Unlucky for some. On this day, 14th January, a similar raid was conducted with sixteen Mosquitos. F/O LJ Berry and his navigator F/O W Brown sadly failed to return.

As the clock ticks and your scribe fast approaches the passing of his first three quarters of a century on planet Earth part of the 'clearing things up' procedure is involving much slide scanning where moments of long ago come back as if they were but yesterday. So much is packed into life! Far away places, random vapour trails that caught the attention while doing what one could to remain solvent, family memories that moisten the eyes, much loved cars, and four legged friends no longer asking for 'walkies'. Doubtless there will be one or two that qualify for public viewing where Blackbushe has slipped into the picture?

Here's some..

















The joy of flight. When we met up with fellow Blackbushe resident, Terrier G-ARZT whilst inbound to Blackbushe in Messenger G-AKBO. Sadly ZT was lost in a tragic accident later on, but these moments kindle happy recall.



Back to the sixties for a moment..




Winter retreats, the lock-up hangars built with blood, sweat, tears and despite bureaucracy's opposition stand proudly where today there is but not a trace. Today this is the heart of the sprawling used car auctioneering business as it spreads ever further across the one time sanctity of Blackbushe Airport and munches daringly at the Common...




The Blackbushe apron, 1960s style. Drastically reduced in size by the concrete crunching mania of the local Parish Council, the scene reflects a fairly typical mid sixties day. From right to left, Three Counties Aero Club (Bushe Cafe & Blackbushe Aviation today), the AVM's mini hangar cum store, and the Terminal Building still at its full length before the brick bashing mania of Hampshire County demolished two thirds of an historic and valuable piece of architecture. The signals square confirms we're on 32 today...Happy memories!!




..and one more. Blackbushe 'south'. The passage of the arrow straight A30 and the converging main runway. A last view of runway 19 as it crossed the A30 giving the heavies a few extra feet of margin plus the numerous taxiways and aircraft parking areas that are now no more. The A30 gives an impression of the once planned 10,000ft runway. So much potential lay beneath us on that cold winter's day of long ago. So much potential still lies down there on this chill 21st Century winter's day.



Hopefully back tomorrow, make sure your back too!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
15/01/21

Made it! Survived the risks of foraging for food at the local Sainsbury's once more, although I guess another five days or so will show whether the experience will reduce my shopping trip to no more than another statistic on Covid's score card? The BBC News of recent suggests that venturing beyond the front gate will be as good as a round of Russian roulette? Wearing one's feature hiding face mask and warm head gear approaching the store entrance one feels akin to a masked bandit about to pull off the big one. The image is somewhat diluted by the effect of warm breath being vectored directly onto one's specs and the whole affair being plunged into IFR conditions. Takes your mind off the risks involved in foraging for food as life's rich experiences continue to entertain..

Going back in time further than yesterday afternoon, the calendar reveals that on this day in 1937 one of the world's delightful aeroplanes took to the sky for her maiden flight. The twin engined, twin finned Beech 18 found she could fly. In production from 1937 until November 1969 over 9,000 were built becoming one of the most widely used light aircraft. Two radials, two fins, low wing, somehow it has always struck me as being a perfect solid looking flying machine.



NC100E. Blackbushe 1948, a Beech 18 enjoys the company of the Airport's east end and once prolific infrastructure..




Famed Beech 18s of Blackbushe must be those of the United States Navy - The Beech SNB4 and SNB5 - as is this one taxiing past the original Control Tower before the glamorous new VCR was fitted. Components of the Navy's FASRON 200 unit based here, the Beech 18s were busy on training and communications work. White bodies and red day glo markings they were much a part of the 1950s Blackbushe scene. A moment of personal recall being when cycling abeam the Finchampstead Ridges to the north west of Blackbushe when one of the Navy Beech 18s was obviously on a circuit bashing detail. I was about twelve/thirteen and stopped to await the return of that classic twin radial sound as it continued using the Blackbushe circuit. The geography of the occasion confirming that back then Blackbushe operated a left hand circuit for 08 departures and a right hand circuit for westerly departures..On this day 08 would have been the runway of choice. The sight and sound of those circuits joined the various other 'moments' that Blackbushe would burn into my memory for keeps.




Ahhh, shades of yesteryear when civil and military shared Blackbushe..




Blackbushe's 75th! The Beech 18 was back... A phone call to the owner tentatively asking if he'd like to join us for the 75th plus aeroplane resulted in this beautiful aeroplane flying down from the north of England for BOTH days of the 75th!!




She found good company!




Known as the Beech SNB5, '39899' was a regular player on the Blackbushe stage during 1958/59 up to the Airport's closure in May 1960.




The late and much missed Roger Russell found a visiting Beech 18 good material for a photo prop. Taken by the hangars at the Airport's west end - sadly now reduced to a used car auction site.




The Grimes 'flying Christmas tree' Beech 18 in company with the Black Knight's Lockheed T-31, a somewhat different Control Tower provides the backdrop..




"The Black Knight" was, of course, much missed good friend Ormond Haydon-Baillie. He too was lost in a warbird accident, prior to which he had talked for long periods on his warbird plans for the UK and plans to import two F-104 Starfighters. At the time he hoped to fly one of them in the UK, he flew the type in his military career and seemingly was fond of the aeroplane... His Sea Fury coded OH-B seen here during a Blackbushe stopover.




Finally, following much recent scanning of ancient colour slides, Ormond giving us a 'gentle' fly by in his Sea Fury. Note the neat concrete posts to which the east/west divide was attached, also note how the wild Yateley Common has been allowed to overgrow and today totally block the once excellent views to the east... We will never replace missing friends, but something could be done to replace Hampshire County Council's neglect that has become of the other side of the fence surely?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
16/01/21


Saturday... I seem to remember a time when Saturday involved seeing friends, time at the airfield, freedom to move around, shopping without fear before one's air intakes/outlets were shrouded by masks that lead to spectacle fogging instrument conditions. 06.00 on this Saturday in January 2021, it's dark, it's cold, and it's snowing... Probably another fairly quiet day to follow?

Otherwise, life's still great and promise of better times is perhaps a page or two further into the calendar.































We've lived through a bit of snow before! Seems like a good day to dig through some old snow storms! Boxing Day 1962 saw the first flakes fall, the thaw followed but not until March the next year. Maybe today's won't be quite as significant as it looks as if it's already stopped...

Stay safe whatever you do...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
17/01/21


Yesterday's snow didn't come to mutch. Flakes were falling heavily at this time, around 06.00, but by the time the sun decided to get up the scene had returned to wet and soggy. Just as well, but there's still something inside that gets excited about a fresh snow fall.. The days of aeroplanes frozen to the ground in far away places or my years with Swissair and more snow than could have been imagined still have not dulled some childish reaction to that dramatic change brought about by virgin snow to greet you as the sun ascends for duty..

Meanwhile, back to the past at RAF Blackbushe. At this stage of January, 1945, snow was lying around from recent heavy falls but the airfield was operational. 418's Mosquitoes had been in action again on 15th January for a night patrol. Airborne at 20.55 seeking road movements in the Ardennes. Weather good, but low cloud over the target area. No movement seen but lights and a rotating beacon were strafed, bombed visually and returned to base at 00.40 hrs. A 605 Squadron pilot reported seeing an enemy jet aircraft, such were just being delivered but were rare. 418 were not having the best of time in January, 1945, with four crews members losing their lives plus the squadron hack, an Airspeed Oxford, being lost in a crash in Wales. Four crew killed.

RAF Lasham became a satellite airfield to RAF Blackbushe, staffed by 5 officers, 14 SNCOs and 119 other ranks..

Today, 17th January, 418 Squadron were operating in the Arochen area taking out any transport they could find. Little could they have imagined their home base airfield being under siege 76 years late by an invisible enemy that was trying to bring the nation to its knees..?




The last Blackbushe Mosquito... Warbirds of Great Britain provided home for their Mosquito amid the numerous warbirds that lived at their Blackbushe HQ in the seventies. Resting on the grass at the airfield's west end she takes the air in the company of another British twin engined warbird, the Gloster Meteor NF11. Joyful days that would not last, the warbirds departed as the airfield became property of British Car Auctions. The spot where the photo was taken is today lost under the BCA complex of car parks and buildings. Very deflating when compared to the battle for Blackbushe Airport and the sparsity of structures with which the airfield may operate.



Considering the sacrifices made by Blackbushe's aircrews of WW2 with every passing day the need to provide a lasting memorial to their memory with our respect presses harder. Sadly, again bureaucratic forces must be overcome before any permanent structures may be considered.

Wishing you a pleasant and peaceful Sunday...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
18/01/21

Continuing our account of life at RAF Blackbushe. 18th January, 1945..... Further night mission carried out by 418 Squadron. Ordered to bomb and attack three towns in the Munchen Gladbach area close to Dusseldorf. One of the towns was bombed by the light of flares. Five of the squadron aircraft took it in turns to drop the flares while the others bombed on their illuminated targets. Somewhat akin to the Pathfinder techniques pioneered by AVM Bennett to whom we owe eternal thanks for saving Blackbushe from final destruction back at the beginning of the sixties.




A reminder of long ago.. A very quiet A30 and Blackbushe Airport with many buildings courtesy of wartime affairs that ended in 1945..




A still from one of numerous movies party shot at Blackbushe. The title escapes at the moment, 06.00 never the best time for effective cerebral reliability, the photo shows the east end of the Terminal prior to the construction of 'Phase Two' that significantly extended its length. The glass stairway was repeated at both ends of the building but after the extension was only to be found at the western end. Therein lies the spirit of old Blackbushe. The flags were always a feature of the car park's frontage, until that is June 1960 when demolition commenced.


Early appointments today, better go...
PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
19/01/21


Most days carry some kind of historic aviation value. Today's 'moment' comes from 1956 when the Supermarine Scimitar, type 544, performed its maiden flight. A tough looking strike aircraft operated by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm it was the last aircraft exclusively built by Supermarine famed for another design with elliptical wings some years earlier. One Scimitar, WT859, is noted to have appeared at Blackbushe on 23 February, 1960. By road.. The Scimitar vanished from operational duties in 1969 when the mighty Buccaneer took over.




Back to February 1959 for this slice of Blackbushe past. N4086A, Curtiss C-46 'Super Commando' demonstrator backed by the Airport's Control Tower and the white fence posts and chain link that gave the Terminal area a look of distinction..




The United States Navy's hangar also added a look of distinction to Blackbushe. It poses here with the exquisite company of an MG 'A'...and a Martin Mercator. This Mercator was one of many that flew into Blackbushe due to the resident United States Navy base, this one PS-2 being seen at least six times during 1956.




Those white posts were very popular with photographers in the 1950's... Aeroplanes tended to get in the way, such as TG513, this Hastings of the RAF's 242 OCU. September, 1959.



06.30, the kettle calls.. stay safe out there, better times are coming...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
20/01/21

05.30, storm Christoph rumbles its presence through the trees seemingly not too roughly in northern Hampshire..

Another early appointment for the POTD scribe on one of those days that you wish it were possible to stay in bed, but time enough for another Blackbushe image before blast off...

Astute visitors to our Forum will have seen yesterday's article I placed under "Non Blackbushe News".. Basically, any hopes of seeing FlyBe's Q400's return to UK skies are over, they're going to fight fires far away... blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/14994




One 'regional' name that is still flying during aviation's toughest of times..the Trislander visit painted visions of what might have been at Blackbushe had fortune blown more in the sirfield's favour?




This F-27 from the Netherlands had the same effect. Note how the Common, "Blackbushe East" looked before its civic owners let it grow wild - and block our views!




The Blackbushe Tower has offered some unusual views!




As has the area now consumed by the second hand car dealers who have claimed use of the hangars and a chunk of the 'Common'....



Now my moment has come, gotta go...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
21/01/21

Yesterday the planet witnessed the return of compassion in the White House and hopefully the greatest power in the free world flying a more straight and level course toward tomorrow... The viral curse of 2020 still flies in our midst as it reflects the conclusion of unchecked revelry around the festive season. From a local standpoint Hart district last night indicated 719 active Covid cases, down by 124 from the previous week.

If we fly back to 'yesterday', yesterday in 1945, the records indicate Grp Capt Thunder and Wing Cmdr Ingall visited RAF Blackbushe in connection with the FIDO installation while in the sky 418 Squadron were busy again attacking targets in the Munster, Wesel, and Haltern areas.

POTD has mentioned this before, but one of the best things we can do in regard to Covid-19 is join the Covid system programme whereby our data is fed into the NHS figures and King's College research via the system study app covid.joinzoe.com/ Over 4.5 million people in the UK have signed up, almost 1500 schools have joined, it costs nothing to join, you simply report each day the answer to three questions as to your health and whether you have had the vaccine. The more sign ups the more effective it will be, you can leave at any time should you choose to, there are no reasons why many more should not sign up and thereby help the vital studies on Covid 19 and the vaccine's progress. Regular reports from Prof Tim Spector provide up to the minute analysis of Covid in the UK, and I look forward to hopefully reporting before long that the jab has found my arm too..




Recent times offer too many opportunities to reflect on the past. On reflection, The Great Blackbushe Aviators' Weekends were a result of your scribes strange and restless imagination, sponsored by the once air minded British Car Auctions, they were designed to further Blackbushe's standing in the private flying world while providing fun, challenges, a great social window and excellent catering throughout weekends of flying and fun.




Event HQ, food, varied competitions based on General Knowledge, airmanship, and computer skills by way of simple bomb dropping ability.. Numerous trophies, and generous prizes. Some good press reviews emerged while the fastest man on Earth Richard Noble presented prizes..




The late Charles Church discusses tactics with your scribe. Charles was tragically lost in a Spitfire accident, but he was always a strong supporter of our events at Blackbushe. Charles was, of course, one of the best known property developers in the area and an extremely enthusiastic warbird restorer.




Charles Church's beautiful Mustang on show throughout the weekend, his Spitfire also added to the atmosphere..




Richard Noble presenting well earned awards!




Centre pages of the 'programme'...



That was 1988's fun time, proved well worth the efforts in putting it together. I had hoped it would become a little more regular in the local aviation calendar, but events and circumstances are always on the change.. maybe in the future, but therein lies the great unknown.

What I do know is that at 07.00 the time is right for the first cuppa..

PB