PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day
05/06/21


Another dawn chorus courtesy of northern Hampshire's winged friends has subsided leaving the prospect of what would like to be a very pleasant summer Saturday. Number one Grandson's second birthday too, it's going to be a good day and thank the stars above we're not in lockdown...

Historically 5th June back in 1944 is probably remembered as the final build up to D-Day, certainly Blackbushe would soon be very involved in the execution. More of that tomorrow, meanwhile 5th June marks the Avro Triplane's first flight in 1909, while in the same year the first monoplane flight of over one hour was made by Englishman Hubert Latham on the Antoinette IV for one hour, seven minutes, 37 seconds. On this day in 1967 Boeing delivered its 1,000th jet passenger aircraft..




A moment from December, 1958. A delightful Auster Autocar confirming that Blackbushe handled aircraft from the smallest to the largest during her 'ministry' days...Unlike other Auster variants, the Autocar offered a very spacious environment for the back seat passenger. That gold fish bowl canopy made a significant difference! Phil Irish's Autocar G-AOHF lived at Blackbushe for some while during the AVM Bennett era, a fine aeroplane to fly in it was too!




Many tales may have been recorded of Blackbushe's past, she certainly offered many tails too..here are three, a Convair 440, a DC-6 and a Viking.




As per our current 'header' photo, an Independent Viking rests close to the A30. A scene so typical of 1950's Blackbushe Airport where aeroplanes were unusually close for public inspection. The name Independent is, of course, totally suited to Blackbushe for it was here that many of the post war independent airlines were spawned and either grew or failed, but it was thanks to the likes of Harold Bamberg who established Blackbushe's Eagle Airways that British independent airlines stood up the Government and state owned BEA and BOAC to establish route networks and air fares that suited the needs of post war Britain. Many people experienced their first flight on perhaps a service from Blackbushe to the Channel Isles. It is, perhaps, hard to imagine the airfield with hangars and airliners spread over its once large operational areas, but for those who 'remember' it's impossible to forget....



If you're at Blackbushe today, don't forget to drop into the Pathfinder for a cuppa or maybe a sausage, bacon, and egg bap?

Yummy...and have a nice day!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
6th June, 2021


As today, "D-DAY" witnesses the opening of the British Normandy Memorial taking place in Normandy and D-Day ceremonies at home in the UK, POTD can think of nothing more fitting that offering some thoughts for the 22,000 allied troops killed on the Normandy beaches and the crews who flew from Blackbushe playing their role in one of history's most outstanding, courageous and expensive days in the history of military operations.

Late on the evening of 5th June, 1944, smoke cylinders were attached to aircraft, white stripes were painted on wings and fuselages. Messes were closed at 18.00, anticipation was intense. The atmosphere became ever more electrified as at midnight all crews were called to briefing. Overhead streams of gliders under tow passed overhead, D-Day had arrived...The airfield on the ground a scene of frantic activity as all were keyed up at the prospect of what lay ahead. Armourers worked flat out, convoys of bomb trolleys trundled to their awaiting aircraft, fuel tankers fuelling, and D-Day stripes being painted with whatever brushes were available...

264 Squadron were airborne patrolling between St Pierre and St Martin watching for enemy aircraft. German observations at this time being most unwelcome.. 88 Squadron were to lay smoke in support of the Navy's Second Cruiser Squadron, while 342 provided the same support of the American invasion fleet that lay off the Cotentin Peninsular. The Bostons carried only three crew instead of the usual four, the wave top levels they would be flying at rendered the lower gunner purposeless. A familiar requirement of today was for crews to wear masks, but in 1944 it was because of the possible ingress of their smoke cannister contents that were highly toxic.

At 05.00 342 Squadron were airborne weaving at wave top height between convoys of ships. Arriving at the allocated smoke runs fire from the opposing sides passed overhead their aircraft, the runs repeated at four minute intervals. Enemy anti-aircraft batteries also added to crews' considerations. Boston BZ213 fell to enemy flak. This and an 88 Squadron Boston failed to return..Unfortunately some Royal Navy ships opened fire on Blackbushe's aircraft.

One of the returning Bostons yielded some sixty flak holes once on the safer ground of Blackbushe. Returning crews confirmed that German defences were very active putting up a "terrific resistance" but clever deception had made them expect the invasion to be focused on the Calais/Boulogne area...

The last Boston home was BZ214 who joined the circuit with only two of her three wheels down. The resulting landing caused a rapid fire spreading throughout the aircraft and sadly claiming the lives of the three crew plus an heroic soldier who also died trying to rescue the crew.

Later on D-Day the Mitchells of 226 Squadron were in action taking out road junctions and other locations behind the beach heads in support of the ground invasion. 264 Squadron's role changed to patrolling the Normandy beach heads, these sorties continued for two days and nights with two aircraft over the beaches at all times. The weather turned bad once again, aircraft returning with a 300 ft cloud base and FIDO burning to assist returns.

After D-Day Blackbushe (RAF Hartford Bridge at the time) squadrons were used more and more in support of the allied troops as they fought to regain freedom within Europe and destroy the scourge that threatened peace around the world.

The least we can do today, any day, is to look across the broad acres of Blackbushe Airport, remember, and be thankful to those who gave all in the dark days of the Second World War.




An 88 Squadron Boston prepares for D-Day. All at RAF Hartford Bridge played their part..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
07/06/21


Monday morning........




Two things that go together, Blackbushe Airport and the Pathfinder Cafe!!


..and don't forget, the Pathfinder Cafe is now open seven days a week, Mondays too!!!!


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
08/06/21


A perfect summer's day, England at her best on a day like this and before 07.00 the blue overhead once again traced with vapour trails streaming behind those whose lives are still engaged in the FL350 work place!

On the pages of British aviation history a significant chapter was written on this day in 1908 just down the road at Brooklands Aerodrome. I quote from the AVRO Heritage Museum, "Alliott Verdon-Roe was an aviation pioneer and the founder of the Avro aircraft ... FRAeS, FIAS, was the first British man to fly an all-British aeroplane and founded the aircraft manufacturer A.V. Roe and ... He tested the aeroplane at Brooklands race track in 1907-08 and made his first successful flight on 8th June 1908".

History flies in the skies of Surrey and Hampshire, it has done since the birth of aviation. Blackbushe too has played a significant hand in our nation's aviation heritage, after so many years and with so much potential to place before tomorrow's aviation needs it must be hoped her future will not be destroyed by the faceless bureaucrats of Hampshire..

By way of celebrating recent evidence of Blackbushe serving General Aviation some images of recent days courtesy of our chaps on location bagging just some of the Airport's recent visitors..





































Above photos courtesy of John Varndell, Paul Phillips, Neil Randell, Jacob Hurley, and Steve Lynes.. Thank you all for allowing your work to be enjoyed by the Forum's dedicated followers..You really help show the value of Blackbushe Airport today, one can but imagine the scene when new hangars and engineering facilities are available, new runway lighting installed, GPS approach, a new Terminal......you know!!

It's all just waiting, waiting, waiting for common sense to reach the surface....just don't tell me that Blackbushe isn't doing the business!!

Have a great day, and don't forget to pop in to the "Pathfinder Cafe" for a refreshing drink on what looks like being a delightfully warm Tuesday!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
09/06/21

There was a time in the dark ages, you know, the 1960's and 70's when the level of flying by club and private aeroplanes was at a significantly high level although primarily at the weekend. Back in Three Counties Aero Club days in the early/mid sixties one could fly the Auster 6 for some £4 per hour. Believe me, even that seemed quite a lot back then as incomes were a fraction of what they are in the 21st Century. All those years ago affordable flight resulted in very busy weekends, clearly I recall queues at the holding point being a regular sight as half a dozen, or more, Colts, Austers, etc waited their turn. Life in the old Tower could get a little fraught when the lucky soul on duty became a little frazzled, R/T exchanges becoming a little non standard at times....

Anyway, my point is related to present times. Yesterday having spent best part of two hours with a group of past work colleagues enjoying the Pathfinder Cafe's al fresco facilities the level of weekday air traffic movements was staggering. It matched the old days and their weekend activity, the variety of types in the air yesterday and the immaculate appearance of today's aeroplanes was most impressive. My ex colleagues gathered around a Pathfinder table were all impressed by the action before them, and I certainly felt an enormous pride in the old aerodrome, it just felt so sad reflecting on the damage inflicted on the Airport's progress by local politics.




A look back to June 1988. Cannot believe it was over three decades ago......The second of our Great Blackbushe Aviator's Weekends. Having sold the idea to BCA (the then Airport owner) who agreed to sponsor the event I had the task of putting it together... Bottom line is that all went very much to plan with the help of numerous star players, European Flyers, and others.. The aim was to bring publicity to Blackbushe while creating a new event that would be cohesive amid flying enthusiasts looking for some competition and socially enjoyable too.




The two day programme of events. Blessed by good weather, the great British weather gamble payed off.




The main operations marquee...




Catering Command. The fabulous ladies who ran the food and drink department so eloquently! Brakes supplied the food, they were excellent and indeed supply the Pathfinder Cafe's requirements today.. To the left is Phil Cardew about to launch into a cuppa, to his right the late Charles Church who always supported and got involved with our events supplying his Spitfire and Mustang. To his right some bloke whose hair still retained the darkness of youth.. On the right hand side the ladies without whom, well....where would we have been?



A long time ago, the GBAW's sowed the seeds of an event that might have become something on the UK's aviation calendar, and placed Blackbushe more in the minds of aviators looking for something a bit different?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
10/06/21


The winding twisting lanes of Cornwall are now the setting for a gathering of World leaders during a surge of staycationers grounded by the Government's travel traffic light system. Cornwall looking like the set for a science fiction movie as armed militia and Police flood the area we can but hope for some worthy resolves to emerge from this coming together of global power mongers amid Cornwall's tranquil splendour..

Meanwhile, the other concern, Covid, has just 18 active cases in the Hart district according to the ZOE Covid study...The ZOE study has just been granted a further grant from the Dept of Health & Social Care to continue their world class citizen science project on the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the largest community lead Covid study in the world and well worth signing up to in order to report your daily health situation and assist their study on what is currently our planet's greatest dilemma. Hart today shows 18 active Covid cases, up 8 from last week..




Going to Cornwall? This is by far the best way!! Blackbushe to RNAS Culdrose back in the summer of '64...




Out of the clouds, and there it is, Gannets and all...




Comanche 250. Power, speed, sophistication, comfort....a giant leap in 1960's single engined aviation!



Just some happy memories of Three Counties Aero Club days at Blackbushe..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
11/06/21


While Blackbushe Airport languishes under the remit of Hampshire County Council's lack of ability to appreciate a 'gift horse' in Parliament there is awareness of the value of aviation, travel and tourism that local politics might do well to heed? I spent most of yesterday afternoon watching the House of Commons debate on the future of aviation in the United Kingdom. Striking how all speakers were totally in support of encouraging aviation reflecting on the value of the resultant tourism and employment it generates. If you have a spare minute the Hansard coverage of yesterday afternoon's debate is here in full. Obviously comment from our members is anticipated... hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-06-10/debates/0922563F-114D-4D63-86F5-707A8DC2B434/AviationTravelAndTourismIndustries

Whilst looking at the (pre pandemic) strength of British airlines, regional airports etc it's interesting to reflect on the founding fathers of the industry spawned by names such as Bamberg, Bennett, Laker etc without whom the state airlines may have ridden rough shod over private enterprise. In particular one airport played a major role in the post war growth of independent aviation, that airfield was - and still is - known as Blackbushe.

Civil, private enterprise residents of Blackbushe included Airwork, Air Contractors, Britavia, Dan-Air, Continental, Eagle, Fairflight, Falcon, Hunting-Clan, Independent, Orion, Pegasus, Silver City, Universal, Westminster, William Dempster.. The state airlines also enjoyed Blackbushe for weather diversions and crew training. Blackbushe even became BEA's training centre in 1951. So perfectly located for access to London yet environmentally and operationally in the absolute perfect location. Two attributes that remain as strong as ever today...




Independent...a very suitably named resident of Blackbushe!




Eagle Airways. Blackbushe's largest home based airline! Happily today's "The Airlines of Blackbushe Airport" sign alongside the Terminal was officially unveiled by Harold Bamberg, Chairman and Founder of Eagle Airways.




Nostalgia. A Dan-Air York parked near the A30. How many people had their first taste of flight from Blackbushe possibly aboard a Dan-Air aircraft?




Blackbushe, Britavia and the Hermes... Independent aviation went truly long-haul from Blackbushe, the Hermes well remembered for her use on trooping flights to the Middle and Far East...



Blackbushe carries on her shoulders a very significant share of the birth of British independent air transport and package holiday businesses. The fact that Blackbushe Airport of today is endlessly hampered by local politics and judicial considerations is an absolute tragedy if not a travesty..While other airfields in the south-east are closing or expected to close so as to become idyllic leafy garden suburbs Blackbushe remains the one airfield with a long hard runway, highly environmentally suitable, affordable, within east reach of London and despite what some local voices mistakenly claim is the one airfield that is NOT in anyone's plans to become housing. Absolutely not.


The future of Blackbushe as an airport could be so easy. The owner/investors are poised to develop what would be the perfect well equipped modern General Aviation centre with all facilities.

But.....?


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
12/06/21

For those who seek further knowledge the Forum carried an interesting (I think so) article on Richard Branson's latest investment alongside Rolls Royce toward the creation of 'silent' electric air taxis. The article carried by The Telegraph is here for your information.. blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/15837 Is this of interest, perhaps you could leave a comment to that effect?

Today, for those who seek sights in the air, a NOTAM for today indicates White Waltham will be closed 11.25-11.45 BST this morning for passage of the Red Arrows.

From time to time "POTD" goes back to past days to account for what would befall our eyes were we there..of recent we've travelled back to 1945, and that's what we're doing right now. June, 1945... RAF Blackbushe, June, 1945.. The Vickers Warwicks would be continuing their supply sorties across Europe, while by 7th June a detachment of eight Mosquitoes arrived from 162 Squadron from their base at RAF Bourn, Cambridgeshire..Known as 'B' Flight they arrival was a little non-standard with a low level pass and break prior to a stream landing. Lead by then Sqn Ldr Peter McDermott DFC DFM, he decided to go in person to the Control Tower and apologise to the SATCO for such 'brash behavior'. The SATCO a 'burnt-faced veteran' passed off the apology with, "I didn't notice - we're far too busy up here"....

Tomorrow POTD will indicate life at Blackbushe in June 1945 when Mosquitoes had to cross the A30. 'B' Flight were stationed on the southern side of the A30, the major trunk road that ran through the airfield! The Mosquitoes of 'B' Flight began ADLS flights from 10th June delivering urgent mail and packages to British troop locations throughout Europe.

Yesterday, 11th June, Mosquito KB454 took off but suffered engine failure soon after. The aeroplane crashed near Odiham claiming the lives of both crew members. Flying Officer J Timms and Sgt S Turner now rest at Brookwood Cemetery.





G-MOSI, Blackbushe's last resident DH Mosquito during the days of Warbirds of Great Britain. Note Three Counties Aero Club's pristine club house to the right, today home of the "Pathfinder Cafe"... The Mosquito, of course, was a vital element with AVM Bennett's Pathfinder operations after which the Cafe today is proudly named.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
13/06/21

Brilliant weather, +13C at 06.00 and the old mercury destined to climb way above that in the coming hours. Should be a busy day around the south's aerodromes?

Most airfields have distinguishing features, bit like us humans I guess, but some have quite unusual features! Take Blackbushe Airport as an example. It is/was unique in being built on either side of a major trunk road, in this case the main London to Southampton trunk road known as the A30. To the south hangars and engineering facilities, taxiways, and parking areas, to the north the main operational area with runways, hangars, air traffic control, etc etc. The A30's passage facilitated one of the nation's most outstanding 'stop and stare' facilities offering close up views of aircraft from airliners to nuclear bombers.

Obviously this lead to a situation where aeroplanes would need to transit the main road for servicing or to go flying..

Yesterday's "POTD" referred to the arrival of 162 Mosquito Squadron in June, 1945. They were located parking space on the airfield's southern flank, south of the A30. As you drive toward Blackbushe from Fleet via the twisty Minley Road a sharp bend indicates you've just reached the airfield's old southern entrance. That was more or less where 162 Squadron parked their Mosquitos. At times when the airfield's shorter runways were in use, 01/19 extended across the A30 onto the airfield's southern side, the A30 would be closed and traffic diverted on the not too difficult roads south of Blackbushe. Otherwise, the A30 was open when the main runway was used and this caused the Squadron some difficulties having to cross the active road. At the time aircraft were not marshalled across but there were signs warning motorists that they must give way to aircraft.... The vision of a Cherokee waiting to cross the A30 today is fascinating!! Sqn Leader Peter McDermott wrote, "A large whirling propeller was, however, a bit of an inducement to let the aircraft cross unhindered". The Squadron devised an unofficial competition on how many vehicles they could hold up as they crossed the road. There was usually little traffic and their was jubilation if the total reached five!!

As described yesterday, the Squadron's duty was delivery of mail and packages to military units far and wide across Europe, destinations including Rome, Naples and Athens. To ensure delivery 'before breakfast' early starts were necessary. The 02.00 calls were 'disagreeable' with departure around 03.30.. Cargo was carried in the nose and in the bomb bay.

So, if anybody should ask why the Mosquito crossed the road you now know!




Post war, a Curtis C-46 Commando prepares to be towed across the A30 north to south..




An Eagle Viking makes the crossing.




An Independent DC-4 heads for Blackbushe 'south'.. A30 traffic was stopped to enable crossings during the civil years.



Probably won't see too many aircraft cross the A30 today, on the ground that is, but memories of large silver flying machines being towed across the A30 are hard to forget!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
14/06/21

Looks like another perfect day courtesy of the Sun and current weather patterns.. This morning "POTD" will wander back to June, 1945 and life at RAF Blackbushe. For reference the weather at this time in '45 was , "A short fine and warm spell occurred after mid month, and after an almost cloudless day on the 18th, the high on the 19th reached 25C", as reported on 'London Weather' where met reports from long ago remain available.. Seems Blackbushe enjoyed weather not too dissimilar to present times.

As discussed yesterday, Blackbushe's 192 Squadron 'B Flight' with their Mosquitoes were daily indulging in long haul flights across Europe supplying distant military units. As detailed in Stuart Marshal's account of WW2 at Blackbushe these flights gave crews the opportunity to return with fresh fruit such as grapes and peaches from Naples and perhaps the odd bottle of Armagnac brandy from Marseilles. There was at this time a rampant black market and the currency in France was cigarettes, coffee, bicycle tyres and inner tubes from England, while there was a very good market for Chanel No 5 perfume back in this country. France was a regular run and crews took full advantage, which in turn made them very popular with the local people!!

On the ground 162 Squadron's billet was in the churned up grass in front of the Cricketers pub in Cricket Hill Lane, Yateley. The pub is still there and active today depending on the latest Covid rules... The badly insulated nissen in which they were housed were a poor replacement for the brick built heated buildings they enjoyed at their former RAF base. A fairly long walk walk lead to the communal site where the Mess was situated and this very soon prompted a visit to the bike store for the issue of these invaluable means of transport. Daily at 14.00 there was a crew conference in the crewroom when all aspects of the Flight's performance were discussed. One major concern was that they had been told FIDO was not available to assist aircraft on mail flight as it was felt too costly for this purpose. One can imagine the conversation...!!

The thought that such crew meetings occurred on what is now an overgrown tract of land stirs the imagination as to such discussions amid today's wilderness of Blackbushe'east'...




162 Squadron "B" Flight..Crew members Morrow, Barnicoat and P/O John Watt enjoying a pint at The Cricketers.

The above photo and details of 162 Squadron's activity courtesy of Stuart Marshal's account of wartime Blackbushe, "RAF Hartford Bridge, The Wartime Years"



How much life must be silently stored in the acres that comprised RAF Blackbushe and its surroundings during those war torn days of World War Two?

PB