PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
26/04/21


Monday, Monday...that old Monday morning feeling, but today maximum stress will probably involve no more than navigating to Sainsbury's, deciding what to buy to replenish supplies and boosting one's Nectar points, optimistic of another Christmas food shop come December paid for by Mr Nectar.. It's tough, but someone's gotta do it. Beyond the "POTD" window hazy blue skies and three degrees - another supreme day weatherwise! The drought continues but some are asking as to the rain and 'when will I see you again'?..... A nod there to music of the sixties, the best ever era for song writing, music, psychic experiences (so I'm told), and free love (so I'm also told...). The era to some of us synonymous with Three Counties Aero Club life at Blackbushe, fun, friends and flying around, oh and Friday night party night - and great music!

Meanwhile, back to 2021... Yesterday the Forum posted an extract from "Flyer" with the heading "Electric Shock for King Air". It's here if you have not seen it.. blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/15594. The alternative power source story goes, electric power seemingly possible for the GA category, suitable perhaps for the small regional transports of King Air size not requiring long haul sectors. The Forum posed the question as to whether aircraft such as the eFlyer 800 would one day be seen providing short haul services from airports such as Blackbushe? Changes in the air are certainly getting closer, the CAA now set to approve BVLOS drone operations.. future flight technology perhaps only limited by human imagination? What are your thoughts on the subject and Blackbushe's role in the changing aviation landscape? Do say!!




Today's look at tomorrow?..the eflyer 800




Today's look at yesterday.. the resident Sopwith Pup back in the seventies.




Today's look at present times! The beautiful PC-12 as placed on the Forum's visitor pages this morning by Steve. A very recent Blackbushe visitor.



Thanks to Steve for his fabulous photos posted on the Forum only this morning. Massive thanks to you and all who provide photos to keep our Forum ticking!

Please always feel free to make comments on the POTD Comments section, it's what Forums are for.

Happy Monday..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
27/04/21


First step today is to add a warning...

Spring sunshine, despite the chilly easterlies, brings with it seasonal manifestations in our natural environment. For those who have a predilection for walking on disused aerodromes or parts thereof, in particular aerodromes built on heathland upon a sunny plateau such as Hartford Bridge's Flats.. Great for aviation, acres of flatness and today long portions of disused runways used by assorted canines and those with whom they take for a walk... These acres have residents, long wriggly ones with zig zag patterns from head to the pointy end bit. Adders are on the lose, one was photographed on a Blackbushe runway and found its way to social media yesterday, already dogs are falling victim to adder bites, children should be wary of where they play, walkers should at least be wary when walking through the overgrowth of what was once just grassy airfield openness.. Mind how you go, there's more than a nip in the air at Blackbushe.



I recall being shown a pond just north of the airfield back in the sixties where someone was catching adders to clear them for safety..one morning produced a large number of stripey catches.



Snakes have no doubt occupied the area for thousands of years, but for now we'll take a step back to the forties once more and life at RAF Blackbushe in 1945. To this day, 27th April, 1945...

Today, 27/04/45 was something of a ceremonial non-operational occasion. 301 Squadron, now based at Blackbushe with their Vickers Warwick aircraft were visited by Air Vice Marshal Izycki, Commander in Chief Polish Air Force, who at an investiture decorated seventy three squadron personnel. Other high ranking officers attended including Lt Gen S Kopanski CBE DSO, Chief of Staff Polish Army, Major General S Tabor of the Polish underground Army, and representing the RAF, Air Vice Marshal CA Collier CB CBE, Air Vice Marshal AD Richie CBE AFC and Air Commodore F Bowman. Also present were Air Commodore B Kwiecinski and Grp Captain W Makowski. Following the ceremonial parade and investiture the Squadron, headed by the RAF Cranwell band, marched past their Commander-in-Chief. Guests were then entertained in the officers' and sergeants' Messes. All guests sat down to a special lunch in the officers' Mess where speeches were made expressing appreciation at the way the squadron had so efficiently carried out all their special-duty missions and wished the well with their role in Transport Command. Thanks were also expressed to the Station Commander and his staff for their co-operation in making such excellent arrangements for the ceremony.




Luxury travel, passenger accommodation as supplied by the RAF Warwick's flying from RAF Blackbushe in 1945..




Post war another Vickers twin provided many a passenger mile operating from the now civilian Blackbushe.




End of the line two Vickers Varsity aircraft participated in the 1977 Blackbushe Air Festival. The very last time the Vickers family of aircraft from the Wellington and Warwick, Viking, Valletta and Varsity would grace Blackbushe's famous runways.



Have a great day, and if you're walking on the airfield's wilder side, mind what (or who) you step on...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
28/04/21

It's Monday. Again. At exactly 04.40 the Head Bird tapped his (or her, of course) beak on its branch and behold the local Dawn Choral Society burst into song. Why do they sound so happy so early on this Monday morning? Maybe they've been reading last night's addition to the Blackbushe Forum conveying evidence of when the Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority's presentation of their UK General Aviation "Road Map" was placed before Parliament. The report short cut is here, do make time to read and perhaps leave your comments >> blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/15600

General Aviation has now received high level recognition for its benefits and the assets it brings to our nation, however, one prime factor strikes the Forum at this time. That factor is called Blackbushe, an airfield within easy reach of London yet located in a perfect environmental location where its operation causes the least possible environmental concern in the highly populated south east of England. Compared to other business aviation concerns in the south east Blackbushe is the affordable solution to the needs of General Aviation, needs recognised in the "Road Map".

Blackbushe Airport would by this time be a far more developed General Aviation centre than it currently is had Hampshire County Council not intervened on the Planning process and objected to the Planning Inspector's decision in 2019 to approve the requested de-registration of 115 acres of the Airport's Common Land. That decision flies directly in the face of the DoT/CAA Road Map. With its superb runway, location, surface access, good weather record, and business catchment area Blackbushe is the south-east's most outstanding potential. But, you know that! It is tragic that our County Council are investing so much of our cash in their efforts to ground Blackbushe's locked-up opportunity.




The lonesome Hartford Bridge Flats pre war. One day this would become Blackbushe Airport, a natural airport, and being an airfield the 'open spaces' aspect and nature would be preserved.




Post war, Blackbushe became the birthplace of much of the UK's growing independent airline industry, growing to become second only to Heathrow, also becoming a United States Navy airbase and a natural magnet for many smaller 'general aviation' operators.




Blackbushe Airport today. Despite six decades of bureaucratic blockades Blackbushe is in excellent shape and provides the very best she can for flying training and business jet operations. The locked-up potential held within this amazing asset must surely soon be released if the "Road Map" released yesterday is to have any credibility?



If you have not seen the "Road Map" yet, you can NOW!! It's here!! >>> assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/980399/general-aviation-roadmap-spring-2021.pdf

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
29/04/21

Hopefully some of the Forum's followers will have found yesterday's POTD and the DoT's "Road Map" of interest? It is easy to spill words, not so easy to fulfill their sentiment, time will tell whether the "Road Map" leads to the destination we hope for General Aviation and airfields as valuable as Blackbushe.

Yesterday's precipitation rather squashed plans for a small but legal family re-unite/gathering at RHS Wisley; will my Grandson remember me when the time comes? Time will tell, but at least the day permitted another descent into Blackbushe to deposit some photographic material for the new "Pathfinder Cafe" whose progress toward opening is going very nicely indeed. Today's dry weather should see the venue's new name find its place for all to see. Believe me, it will be worth the wait when the final product is revealed!

Glancing back at aviation's long calendar, something happened in Japan on this day in 1891. Contrary to rumours, I was not around at the time, but Chuhachi Ninomiya was. A man whose appreciation of flight excelled.. Like to many of us, no doubt, model aeroplanes had a facination. 1891 did not offer too much knowledge to fall back on so Chuchaci built the first model aeroplane in Japan. Rubber powered with a four blade pusher propeller on this day it made two flights of ten and thirty three feet. Next day if flew 118 feet and one can but imagine the triumph the designer must have felt? In April 2021 perhaps a similar feeling amid the team who have flow "Ingenuity" three times on another world, Mars?

In 1964 another first today. BOAC introduced the VC10 onto regular passenger service... Ahh, four beautiful Conways to drive you into the distant heavens, the first engine to employ by-pass technology. VC10s would often climb out across Blackbushe on a westerly heading during the test flying period in the early sixties from the Vickers factory in Surrey, a glorious sound and a magnificent shape that could only come from a British drawing board..school holidays helping out at Blackbushe, the VC10 was a treat to behold as she soared on her way.

Talking of Blackbushe, by this time in April 1945 completion of the change from Fighter Command to Transport Command had take place. A new Passenger and Freight section had been set up, while existing sections such as Briefing and Operations moved into new quarters.




Dear "Nannie Ann" during her long life at Blackbushe Airport. She arrived in the late 1940's and lived happily her until May, 1960, when she like all other Blackbushe aircraft were forced to find a new home as Blackbushe was about to be destroyed so as never to be usable as an airfield again...well, they thought wrong, but nevertheless the Airport closed and "Nannie Ann" was the very last aircraft to depart Blackbushe on that fateful 31 May, 1960.




A little later in the sixties Blackbushe had discovered a new lease of life, "Nannie Ann" returned and once again enjoyed resting on Blackbushe tarmac. Sadly her old home amid the Airwork hangars had been destroyed and ploughed up by the local Parish. "Nannie Ann" eventually was sold and moved on from the faithful Paine family who had loved her for so long. Sadly she was written off some years later.




New and old. New hangars at Blackbushe in the seventies and another Edgar Percival machine, the dear old Proctor had such classic lines. She must be up there with shapes such as the Spitfire and VC10 for classic British styling? We eagerly await Mike Biddulph's Proctor visiting Blackbushe once her rebuild is complete... Another treat for the eyes is pending!




Camberley News. "Buster", "Nanni Ann" and Blackbushe...what a team!


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
30/04/21

Today we bid farewell to April, the month of blue skies, frost and few rain drops. Almost farewell to the Covid virus in the Hart District, today the ZOE study reports just eight cases within the district's bound, down six from last week!! With May on the doorstep we can finally say "Goodbye" to the old Bushe Cafe and "Hello" to the new PATHFINDER Cafe whose doors will swing open for business in the very near future. Limited, by law, to 'take away' service until 17th May when full service will be permitted under the law of the land. The outdoor eating/observation area is now three times the size it was previously, with all new tables and seating the perfect place to enjoy refreshments while watching the airfield in action..

While looking to the future the Forum cannot fail to also pay its respects to Blackbushe's glorious past. Continuing our tracking of life at the airfield in 1945 as war changed to peace. By this day in '45 167 Squadron (transport squadron equipped with Ansons, Warwicks and Dakotas) had moved into new quarters while the Casualty and Evacuation Unit were busy processing 1140 Canadian Troop casualties as they were flown back into this country. 34 Wing Support Unit had despatched 14 aircraft (Wellington, Spitfire,and Mosquito) overseas in addition to eleven aircrews. April, 1945, witnessed 1,092 visiting aircraft arrive ar RAF Blackbushe in addition to the home based units activity. The airfield may have changed in its role from a Fighter base to a Transport Command base but it continued to be very busy.




Blackbushe at war, Sixteen Squadron, Photo Reconnaissance...




Blackbushe at war, smoke laying and bomber offensive.




Blackbushe at peace, major London and civil airport of the 1950's.




Blackbushe lives!! Clutched from the jaws of death and local bureaucracy by AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett, 365 acres were saved by his intervention while the rest was destroyed by the local Parish Council and friends.




Celebration!! The 2017 Press Day prior to the Airport's 75th Anniversary celebrations. Press, radio and TV coverage...




Proof that you can have your cake and eat it!!



Catch up again soon..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
01/05/21

May Day. The ancient festival of spring, or an aviation term used only when absolutely necessary.. Today there will no doubt be celebrations of the ancient spring festival although with cars well frozen up at 06.00 spring does not feel too hot. No doubt the May Sun will rectify the situation, perhaps with another repeat of Mother Nature's displays yesterday of how heat and humidity combine into towering Cu Nims - guaranteed to give you a lift..

Yesterday was a day of celebration at Blackbushe as weeks of hard graft enabled the new "Pathfinder cafe" to throw wide its doors and allow the first customers to enjoy the first day of services and relax amid their fellow 'Pathfinder' customers within the expanded outside dining and observation area. By law meals inside have to wait a little longer until the Covid rules permit indoor eating. Quoting the Pathfinder team, "Our opening hours will be 08:00-16:00, 7 days a week. Initially, our menu will be limited to hot and cold drinks, cake, and some breakfast baps. Over the next few weeks the menu will be expanded to include all day breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches, toasties, jacket potatoes, and more! Please bear with us as we test our processes".

The atmosphere at Blackbushe yesterday was one of celebration, celebration at seeing a new and exciting facility open its doors, a facility that is bound to win wide acclaim from all who use it, especially when the expanded menus come into play and eating both indoors and outdoors is permitted... Thanks and congratulations must be heaped upon Chris, Becky and their most excellent new team for all the work ploughed into creating the Airport's sizzling "Pathfinder Cafe"...







See you there!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
02/05/21


The first May day in 2021 where we've been above freezing at 06.00, all looking quite pleasant through the observation window although the Met persons suggest that Bank Holiday Monday is going to be a tad rough. Is it imagination that suggests Met forecasts for Bank Holidays often come with dire warnings? Let's hope the weather remains good for the Space X Dragon splash down not too long from now as its four occupants return from a long weightless vigil aboard the ISS. November must seem a long time ago since feeling the effects of Mother Earth's gravity.. We wish them a nice ride and a safe return. Live coverage on NASA TV seemingly all day, amazing quality live coverage from Space X. Splash down..around 08.00 our time. Good luck....

Going back into aviation's history for a moment, it was on this day in 1916 that eight German Zeppelins launched an attack on the UK's east coast. The weather played its hand destroying one of them near Stavanger, Norway. 39 British subjects were injured during this incursion on our soil....

Today marks a milestone on global air transport, it was on this day in 1952 that BOAC launched the first scheduled jet passenger travel as Comet G-ALYP operated LON-JNB. Tragically exactly one year later a BOAC Comet came to grief on departure from Calcutta. Triumph and tragedy can be close neighbours.

The progress of time can come as a bit of a shock.. For example, next year 2022 Blackbushe Airport will see in her 80th year of operation, the horrifying factor being that five years will have flown since the Airport's 75th Anniversary was celebrated. Two days of celebrations followed 12 months or longer of 'undulations' in the planning and execution department, but we were rewarded by great weather, the most loyal volunteers, great reviews, and lots of photos! But, five years ago come next summer, Blackbushe will be eighty and five years will have evaporated since the "75th". That's very scary...




Magic of the moment, Blackbushe 75..... A DH Dragon, Silver City had a Dragon based at Blackbushe for a long time, a genuine 16 Squadron PR Spitfire back on Blackbushe soil -16 Squadron were Blackbushe based producing essential PR surveillance prior to the D-Day landings, German V1/V2 launching sites, unarmed at high altitude.. and yes, the United States Navy on final approach to Blackbushe! Another nod to our past and the US Navy's tenancy when Blackbushe became the US Navy's only UK land base. Blackbushe has so much to be proud of, a scene that made the hours of pre event efforts 100% worthwhile..




The ageless Dakota, so much a part of Blackbushe history through war, the civil days of the fifties and also latterly as various Dakotas have made Blackbushe their home during the past six decades of the Airport's wilderness years where her future has been 'in the air' for so long...We just HAD to have a Dak share the weekend with us!!




Capture the spirit! Warbirds returned for the 75th, Spitfires and Mustangs brought back the sound they relayed across the airfield back in the 1940's.




Steve Lynes capture of a Mustang hat trick...




History in the making. About to fly a group of our Hungarian guests in the Catalina. The last time they flew into Blackbushe was as young people liberated from the Hungarian uprising in 1956 when Blackbushe's Eagle Airways launched a number of rescue flights to snatch them from the Russian invaders




Transports of delight! One of my ambitions was for the 75th to host some shapes from her golden days of the 1950's. This Pembroke managed to get her CofA signed off minutes before the event, an Anson from BAe/Shuttleworth, the Dakota from Dunsfold, a Beech 18 flew down from the north both days, sadly the Heron just was not able to get through her paperwork in time. Sadly the York, Hermes, Viscount, Viking, etc etc etc that once were the Airport's lifeblood were unable to attend...



I could go on and on...but tea making duty calls, some duties you dare not avoid!

Have a good day folk, and thanks for checking in with POTD as did nearly 9,000 others last month.

Don't forget the Pathfinder Cafe is open and looking forward to seeing YOU soon!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
03/05/21


May Bank Holiday. Rain and Bank Holidays have a rich tradition of joining up for such occasions, the met charts indicating that by late afternoon the tradition will be upheld with a fair degree of gusto..

My duties for the day have been outlined by strategic headquarters with the words 'pressure wash' and 'patio' jointly in the orders of the day..a drop of rain won't make much difference by the time the task is complete.

From an historical perspective and Blackbushe, we're travelling back to 1945 once more when the airfield was again involved in international affairs. Early in May 1945 a party of South African former prisoners-of-war arrived at RAF Blackbushe all the way from Brighton and ready to be repatriated to their homeland. Tomorrow, 4th May, a number of South African Air Force Dakotas would arrive to fly them home. 63 ex-POWs departed Blackbushe for the long journey home that awaited them. One can but imagine how they felt, liberated and on their way home. Subsequent repatriation flights would be conducted from Croydon Airport.

Following yesterday's observation that Blackbushe reaches her 80th birthday next year, a few further reflections from the 75th as plucked from Twitter. Our thanks to all who provided these memories..




The mighty AN-2 was up and down throughout the 75th weekend, each time landing with less passengers than carried on departure..




The 'Crusaders' parachute team who could not resist leaping from the Antonov on numerous occasions..




The Gazelle Squadron added colour and rotary dynamics to the weekend.




Reenactors always add colour, emotion, and pageantry to air events. Jane Biscombe was one of our heroes portraying the gallant ladies of the ATA who flew so many RAF aircraft on delivery to their squadrons throughout the last war...





A gathering of heroes, Jane joined with Norman Gregory, Mike Biddulph who flew him into Blackbushe for the 75th, and the Hurricane..Norman was with 101 Squadron on Lancasters. Shot down, he spent a year incarcerated in a German POW camp. Mike is famous for manufacturing our "Airlines of Blackbushe Airport" sign which his company manufactured for absolutely no charge, all I had to do was provide images and some text. Can never thank Mike enough. The Hurricane once again provided by our friends at Biggin Hill, another act of kindness for which I have no words.




Dear Uncle George 'Smokey' Bacon and the Army Historic Flight making an entrance. Loyal supporters, the Flight also provided aerial filming opportunities for TV and the Press during the 75th Press Day..




An unknown aviator! Who knows, perhaps this planted the flying seed in his mind for a winged future?




Blackbushe caught from the air during the 75th weekend. Cannot deny it's an airfield that ticks all the boxes for environmental requirements!!




Events are about people, people who volunteer, and thorough briefings so all know what's expected of them...What a fantastic team we had too!




..and finally, a team who happily were not very busy during the weekend, the Medical crew who were here at all times throughout the show.



There's much more I could add, but we'll leave it there...

Have a great Bank Holiday, don't forget your brolly, might need it later?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
04/05/21

So that was a Bank Holiday! Finished with the predicted gusto, some powerful gusts rattled around the rafters, the home met machinery indicating 25 mph when I checked a couple of time.

4th May in the history books was responsible for a number of events.

1936, May 4-7, Amy Johnson sets a new England-South Africa speed record of 3 days 6 hours 26 min in a Percival Gull Six.

1949 NATO was formed.

1953, English Electric Canberra B2 WD952, equipped with Rolls-Royce Olympus engines set a world altitude record – 63,668 ft.

1969, May 4-11 – The Daily Mail Transatlantic Air Race commemorated the 50th anniversary of Alcock and Brown's crossing, the Navy took the trophy flying a Phantom in 4 hours 47 min.


May, 1960, was sadly Blackbushe Airport's last month as a Ministry owned airfield, on 31st it would all come to an end... Nevertheless, scanning through the aircraft using the Airport in May 1960 the variety of types, operators both civil and military, large aeroplanes and small, training flights, passenger flights, new types in the form of demo flights, old types well proven, engineering and maintenance work, type conversions, ILS approaches, trooping flights, and finally farewell flights confirmed the Airport was very active to the end. By the end of the month all would be gone. It seems excessively cruel that a thriving enterprise such as an airport within easy reach of London with all the facilities she offered, the livelihood of so many staff and the companies that depended on them, should be sent to the slaughter as they were. Sadly, local bureaucracy feels obliged to upkeep the tradition set up by Government in 1960....




Derby Airways Magister, Blackbushe 1956. Derby Airways usually operated higher capacity aircraft, but Blackbushe happily catered for all sizes..




Airwork, happily home based and a major Blackbushe tenant...the sight and sound of Hermes at Blackbushe hard to forget.




Home based independent Independent about to cross the road, such events a regular occurence at the airfield built on both sides of a major trunk road..




Talking of the roadside, another feature of Blackbushe popular with many was the proximity of flying machinery rarely seen at such close quarters..




Could have been taken at any time, the Rapide long having been a type flown from Blackbushe. This one, of course, belonged to the one and only Eagle Airways - Blackbushe based naturally!




Ahhh, Hunting Clan, Eagle, Dakota, Viking, a fully operational full sized Blackbushe...




Meanwhile, in 2021, six decades since Blackbushe was 'closed' she continues her fight to regain her dignity. While the past days of Blackbushe are remembered for all to see and today's users enjoy the benefits of Blackbushe the future remains to be seen. Hope remains in the hands of today's investors and their dogged determination to place Blackbushe securely where she should be on the nation's General Aviation map.


Memories and hope are close partners at the one and only Blackbushe Airport.

I trust you agree?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
05/05/21


Blue skies, calm, unusually above freezing, the stage looks set for a good show so far as the weather gods are concerned. Somehow, not so sure..

Meanwhile...some random views from the theatre provided by an aerodrome called Blackbushe....




The last time a Pan Am aeroplane dropped off for a drink on the Blackbushe stage. Farnborough Week past, a Jetstream and the old jet tanker




A gathering of stripes, Monty's Messenger and our much loved G-BVOL, Blackbushe based Dakota wherein many a story found its beginnings..




The theatre of Blackbushe, not many players can exceed the performance given by this thespian of the skies..




Everyone loves a hero on stage. Here are two together, the Airport Manager AND the Spitfire!!




The Blackbushe stage and one of her many players...the value of a smile cannot be over stressed!




What better than when a onetime leading actor takes the stage just one more time? Tears and cheers...




Blackbushe, for long an undisputed theatre of dreams...




Disney's "Hercules" went on stage, this one made a brief guest appearance back in 2016..




Don't take offence, take a gate...some audiences have a strange way of showing their appreciation. Some drive through the gate prior to opening it, others drive through the fence to take a short cut home! Hard to believe, but that's show business at Blackbushe..





..and some just don't want to leave.......



Time to close the curtain, to one's amazement "POTD" will streak through her 444,000th visit sometime this morning... that's one heck of a bigger audience than expected for our snaps of Blackbushe, the airfield where from next weekend you'll enjoy its theater from its newest stage, the "Pathfinder Cafe"... see you there!

PB