PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
15/06/21

Busy day ahead thus POTD flies out of the room at 05.30...Cool outside, ominous grey skies, perhaps a result of Boris's continued protective policy regarding facing the virus that we've no choice but to live with from today until forever. We must assume the extra four weeks contingency plan to allow more arms to be perforated WILL be the final four weeks of restrictive practices? Continued cat and mouse actions will not only knock our airlines out of the sky, Great Britain will lose her place as a global trading institution if our air transport structure is left with one wing tied behind its back much longer..

"POTD" remains grateful to all who drop in to see what's going on on her pages, especially the faithful five or six who regularly make comments or give those magic 'likes'! Looking at the numbers we're on track to reach our half millionth 'hit' before the end of this year. "Comments" are rare birds in POTD's comments section, but one was received regarding yesterday's 'POTD' pointing out an error concerning a photo of 162 Squadron members enjoying a pint at the Cricketers down the road. Apparently their head gear was tilted to the wrong side, the photo seemingly a 'mirror' image. Our members are highly astute, but I can only work with the material provided by our good hearted supporters, one learns something new everyday!




Talking of mirror images, here's one I was sent by a Forum Member...




..and here it is having 'reversed' it!



Proves one thing, no matter how you look at a packed Blackbushe apron, it's a wonderful sight!!

On that, I'll wish you a wonderful day!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
16/06/21


Another perfect day at 06.00. Wall to wall blue and delightfully warm although the Met Office seem determined to spoil it with predictions of significant electrical activity later in the day..

For now though, recall of activity at Blackbushe on in June, 1945... The lumbering Stirlings continued their work bringing back prisoners of war to British/Blackbushe soil. On 15th June alone 16 officers and 351 other ranks were landed at Blackbushe.

One of these pilots, Laurie Taylor, continued his association with Blackbushe when after the war he joined BOAC and was assigned to the Canadair Argonaut fleet. Between 1949 and 1956 a percentage of his six monthly check and instrument renewal flights were carried out at the civilianised Blackbushe..as they were for many other BOAC and BEA pilots.

Staying with June, '45, on this day the 16th, Mosquito KB477 burst a tyre departing from Brussels. P/O John Watt recalled that one of the Ground Crew at Wiesbaden pointed out a large cut in the starboard tyre and suggested having it changed back at base. The tyre burst on take off from Brussels, the crew electing to carry on back to Blackbushe.. On arrival back in Blackbushe air space it was suggested they make a low level pass over the Tower for a visual prior to landing. The chance of such low flying was a rare thing!! They were instructed to jettison their wing tanks which they did over what was thought to be a tank testing ground used by the Army. One tank fell immediately on release, the other hung on until making a turn to port when it decided to part company landing on a football field at Wellington College in nearby Crowthorne. Two approaches to land were necessary. First they were cut off by a Warwick landing on the north south runway 01/19, the second concluded the flight when lost airspeed caused the starboard wing to drop causing a bent prop, a damaged wing tip and tail wheel. What the crew did not know was that the A30 had been closed via the gates at either end of the airfield. This closure resulted in a significant crowd gathered to witness their eventful return....one of the audience included the Station Commander...





A BOAC Argonaut on crew training/checks at Blackbushe Airport. Could this have been a pilot whose Mosquito made a spectacular arrival on June 16th, 1945? We'll never know, but it's very possible wartime flying hours were held by someone in the sharp end..




PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
17/06/21


On this very calm Thursday morning following last night's free watering of the garden POTD ventures into the past, the present, and the future...

The past. Slipping back to June, 1945, as we have done from time to time this year..Yesterday, we recalled a bumpy arrival by one of 162 Squadron's Mosquito aircraft from Brussels. As you will recall, 162 were flying the lengths of Europe from Blackbushe every day carrying urgent mail and packages to outlying military posts. Following yesterday's Mossie incident at the same time another 162 Mosquito had to make a wheels up landing at Gardermoen, Norway. The Squadron had deployed to Blackbushe with just ten of its twelve Mosquitos, they now had no reserves, the CO was not entirely happy!

The fun continued on 17th June when a resident Warwick force landed at Le Bourget following yet more engine problems, and still on 17th June, 1945, a Works Flight of 5027 Squadron arrived to assist with the much needed new terminal building and freight section How easy it was back then!!!! Also on 17th June a further 36 officers and 85 'other ranks' arrived at Blackbushe via repatriation flights from their previous time in captivity in German PoW camps.

The Present. The spectre of Hampshire County Council has once again arisen! Members who follow the winding political path that leads to Blackbushe Airport will recall some time ago we reported on the County's planned cut backs to expenditure, over a two year period to help balance their books resulting in cuts to many public facilities.

Fasten your seat belts while Hampshire tighten their purse strings! Why? Simples, Hampshire are about to embark on further cuts, this time trying to save £80 million by 2024, but this time they are opening a public consultation running until 23.59 on July 18th.

Before POTD indulges in the details a timely reminder that this is the Council willingly spending what will amount to a vast sum of our public money funding their legal vendetta against any improvements to Blackbushe, indeed doing their best to destroy the airfield's commercial viability in hopes that the site will return to the unkempt wilderness that already covers most of surrounding Yateley Common. As we know, the airfield is situate on a part of Yateley Common and endless legal procedures continue in the Airport's wish to de-register just 115 acres of its Common so as to facilitate the construction of new hangars and some permanent infrastructure. Essential for future viability, safety, and commercial good sense...

Legal expenditure in the pursuit of common sense has already cost the Airport vast sums of money that would have been better employed improving the infrastructure and creating more jobs. Hampshire County Council's legal costs we can only imagine, but astronomical sums of 'our' money washed down the drain by their politics. Now, despite the next proposed budget cuts by Hampshire County Council, their campaign to destroy the Airport's chances will continue when the case goes toward The Supreme Court in due course. Just think when your services get chopped how useful the cash savings will be for the Council's anti Blackbushe stance. The County have bragged in answer to my questions to them that they have a vast legal fund for fighting such cases, but under the proposed service cuts the bureaucratic battle against Blackbushe adds up to making absolutely no sense. NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE SILENT POTD FOLLOWERS TO OPEN UP AND SPEAK THEIR MIND. HAMPSHIRE ARE GIVING YOU A CONSULTATION WITHIN WHICH TO DO IT!!!!!!!!

A quote from Hampshire's preamble to the consultation...


Local authorities are required by law to deliver a balanced budget – which means they cannot spend more than is available.

However, growing demand for local services, particularly social care, and the absence of multi-year funding from the Government means that Hampshire County Council continues to face a total budget shortfall of at least £80 million over the next two years (2022/23 and 2023/24).

We would like to hear your views on several high-level options that could contribute towards balancing the County Council’s revenue budget. This might involve:

*introducing and increasing charges for some services;
*lobbying central Government for legislative changes;
*generating additional income;
*using the County Council's reserves;
*reducing and changing services;
*increasing Council Tax;
*changing local government arrangements in Hampshire

We also welcome other suggestions that could help meet the budget shortfall and any information to help us understand the potential impacts of these options.

Your feedback will help to inform the approach that the County Council takes to balance its budget through to 2023/24.

Any changes to specific services will be subject to further, more detailed consultation.

Information on live consultations can be accessed via the County Council’s consultation webpage.


So, there you have it - your consultation, your chance to voice your feelings/views/frustration, and here's where you find it...... www.hants.gov.uk/balancingthebudget

The Consultation provides mainly multiple choice answers to its questions, but provision is made for suggestions.. eg "If you have any further ideas on how the County Council could generate additional income please share these........" and "Please describe what, if any, impact the County Council’s options for balancing its budget could have on you (or your constituency, organisation, group or business)....."



The future Well, we've covered both past and present this morning. The future may, or may not, reflect changes of local government policy toward Blackbushe, but for all of us resident in what is the very pleasant county of Hampshire there now befalls upon us the opportunity take the County to task over their antedeluvian attitude toward Blackbushe Airport. Once again we have the opportunity to air our angst with the County, please use and do not for any reason waste it.

A quote from Hampshire's Consultation Information Pack..

"• Hampshire maintains strong and sustainable economic growth and prosperity

– supporting people into work, attracting inward investment, promoting Hampshire’s
competitiveness, and providing the necessary infrastructure for growth."



.....Time for them to prove it as the golden egg of opportunity at Blackbushe is ready to hatch, jobs, support for the local economy, while General Aviation's super centre remains waiting in the wings! After six decades of mindless county opposition the Blackbushe case must be one of the greatest ever local government farces?





Blackbushe Airport, the land of a thousand dreams! They could all be fulfilled if not for the antics of local politicians. Now's the time to tell them what we think!!


AND, don't forget the excellent new Pathfinder Cafe at Blackbushe now stocks Ben & Jerry's ice cream!!! Give yourself a treat........but only after completing the Consultation!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
18/06/21

Precipitation over the past 24 hours has not only made my lupins droop it's removed our two days of English summer from the map. That, I believe, is one of the reasons why so many are just desperate to support our airlines and go spend their time on some foreign beaches where the sun has a more reliable track record..just needs Boris to take a look at his traffic lights!

Hearty and massive thanks to our Members who responded to yesterday's "POTD" and have already made a response to the Hampshire County Council consultation whereby suggestions are invited as to how they may save money in order to save £80M by 2024. Here's the link once more should you have not seen it yesterday.. www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/balancing-the-budget

As the title says, "have your say".. This is a chance for all who care for Blackbushe Airport and her future well being to stand up and tell the County Council how they could save money by supporting Blackbushe as an aviation enterprise not the acres of wasteland that they seemingly envisage.




As if it were necessary, a reminder of how Hampshire County Council squandered our money destroying two thirds of the fabulous Terminal Building deemed to be on "their soil". Nothing more than shameful vandalism sponsored with OUR money and taking with it an historic artifact from the days when independent aviation found its feet on Hampshire soil...





The 'Supreme Farce", "Farce of the Century", call it what you like. The pristine full length Terminal in the early 1960's following the Airport's closure by HM Government. Immaculate throughout, the County were offered very large sums of money to acquire the entire structure, but no, Hampshire refused and blew more cash having it demolished instead......



You, dear reader, have just seen the link to Hampshire's consultation. If you truly care for our Airport and its future you must feel compelled to spend a few minutes having your say as to the County saving money and saving Blackbushe Airport. It's your moment to take action!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
19/06/21

"It is not yet known whether jobs would be at risk". Just one sentence in the current "News & Mail" Fleet & Yateley edition, June 16th, 2021. The jobs referred to are those within Hampshire County Council where significant cuts are necessitated - some £80million in cuts withing the next two years.

The past two days have seen "POTD" focused on Hampshire's pending cuts and the public consultation where we may provide suggestions as to how County cash to be saved. As discussed already, the consultation gives us the opportunity to speak our minds and from Blackbushe's point of view the chance to implore a change of mind withing the County and its highly costly campaign to thwart any developments at Blackbushe regarding aviation. Today's opening paragraph refers to possible job losses within the County Council's staffing levels, however, if jobs are important the County Council seem to have no regard for the many jobs at Blackbushe Airport that their policies place in constant jeopardy not to mention the many jobs that would be created if only they would stop meddling with the Airport's prospects.

Huge thanks to all who have submitted their consultation to HCC suggesting the County should consider dropping their fantastically expensive legal war against Blackbushe, it serves nobody....except the legal representation.

By way of a reminder of the pending cut backs the following details extracted from this week's "News & Mail" give some idea of their anticipated severity - remember, this is the County Council happy to burn thousands of pounds in its legal endeavours to prevent one of their most outstanding assets from providing work, support for the local economy, and a much needed affordable General Aviation complex.

1. A number of recycling centres across the county could close

2. Some health services could be axed and care and support paid for by HCC could be reduced.

3. Council Tax could go up, school crossing patrols could stop, free bus passes and community transport could be stopped.

4. Possible reduced funding for health services "where there may be an increased need because of Covid-19".

5. Stopping council grants to organisations in the social care sector, reduced funding in support of the homeless.

6. Reducing the care and support paid for by the Council for people receiving social care services.

7. Reduction in the number, type and location of services relating to substance misuse and sexual health.

Cllr Keith Mans, county council leader stated that opportunities for saving cash "are getting harder to find". The authority has said its uncommitted reserves "only leave enough money to run services for around 14 days".

Given the above and the County Council's unbending determination to spend huge sums of tax payers' money to prevent Blackbushe's 115 acres become de-registered from its current Common Land constraints becomes a glaringly diabolical farce!! Next year these acres, a much lesser area than that of old Blackbushe Airport, will have served aviation for 80 incredible years. The County's action in the highest Court's of the land is beyond belief and unforgivable, THAT is why POTD has urged its followers and Forum members to look at the consultation and perhaps suggest when completing it that HCC drop with immediate effect all their cash gobbling litigation aimed at grounding one of the nation's finest aerodromes. Once again we give you the link... www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/balancing-the-budget





We have two choices, a thriving airport serving flying training and business flights that supports employment and the local economy, OR....




...this? The ultimate fate of Blackbushe if the County Council were to secure their aim at securing more acres of wasteland at the expense of OUR hard earned money. The view is County Council owned Blackbushe 'east'.. get the drift?



That's it. Over to you. If you feel like making your feelings known then why not follow the link provided and include suitable comments regarding the use of Council funds to the detriment of Blackbushe Airport and all that she stands for?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
20/06/21


Hopefully POTD's discussion and links to the Hampshire County Council consultation have been of interest, much appreciation to those who have completed the document and perhaps given reference to Council's expenditure on fighting Blackbushe, the cessation of which would be an admirable means of saving the County's finances and the £80million they need to cut from expenditures over the next two years.

Today, June 20th, apart from being Fathers' Day also marks some first flights of interest.. In 1950 it was the Blackburn Beverley's time to fly for the first time, in 1951 the Bell X-5 tasted the air for the first time also being the first 'swing wing' aircraft to fly, 1958 witnessed the Westland Wessex arise for the first time while in 1983 the DHC Dash-8 made its first ascent..

For the record, it was on this day in 1966 that Sheila Scott completed her Round the World solo flight in Comanche G-ATOY.

Glancing at Blackbushe Airport's past life, some moments from June 20th...

1947, Westminster Airways Dakota NAAFI charter to Nairobi.
1950, Zinc Corporation Lockheed 12A
1953, BOAC Comet1 crew training
1957, Lebanese Air Force Harvard
1958, M Boussac Grumman Mallard
1959, RAF Hastings ILS runs
1959, RAF Comet C2 from Gibraltar

...just snapshots of some 20/06 'moments' plus all the usual home based airline traffic and US military movements.




Moments from the seventies and the Arnold era..a 'flying day', a visiting Harvard and part of our fuel installation. Great pride was felt when in the sixties the Shell installation was ready for use and we could pump gas from our brand new system!




Same day. The one and only 'big Maurice' keeping an eye on things to the left of shot, the ex Farnborough Meteor acquired by Doug Arnold, and the dear old Terminal before the County Council came and destroyed most of it...




A sparkling visitor, Grimes Beech 18 flying 'Christmas tree' demonstrating advances in aircraft illuminations.




History now, but the Arnold warbird era certainly brought with it many wonderful sights and sounds!! The mighty trio of Hawker Sea Furies..



Happy Fathers' Day to all who deserve the greeting, hope it has more promise than the weather does at 07.00!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
21/06/21

Morning Campers! Here we are, the summer solstice, the year's longest day up here in the northern hemisphere..and what have we got? Chilly, cold, very grey, wet, breezy, and a weather beaten garden wherein one's lupins have taken on a spectacular droop courtesy of recent rains. Fathers' Day has passed once more, never failing to illustrate that empty canvas of a very special missing man... Life goes on with the blessings it bestows and maybe, just maybe, some post summer solstice sunshine is waiting in the wings?

Meanwhile, it's not just the weather that's unstable. Our society appears to be losing its marbles? World leaders who assembled in Cornwall met and jostled in close proximity without a care toward being socially distanced, while the double jabbed amongst us have to behave as if we've had no protection, we're controlled by Boris's traffic lights as to where and whether we can come and go, while the British air transport industry upon which our island's position in the world is so dependent crawls closer to extinction. Meanwhile, we are in the grip of a terrifying wokeness perhaps confirmed by a leading independent girls school having scrapped the use of the word 'girl' from the title of 'head girl', the title is "too binary", she is now 'head of school'... This at one of the finest schools in the land where our nation's future is educated..

It's not just Blackbushe Airport that suffers from unseen disturbing influences, although our airfield's six decades of being handcuffed by political intransigence must take some beating in the world of illogical thinking?

Thanks to our members who have completed the Hampshire County Council consultation on the County's plans to cut £80M from their expenditure over the next two years, the County's insistence on spending vast sums of "our" money in its endeavours to shaft one their County's great assets 'Blackbushe' is something that truly should be making the headlines... Perhaps if enough completed consultations contain concerns about the Council's anti Blackbushe expenditure they might stop and think for a moment? Too much to hope for? It does no harm to express our points of view.. Here's the link once again.. www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/balancing-the-budget




As if you didn't know..our wonderful airfield, environmentally as near to perfect as any airfield can be, close to London and Motorway access, affordable, a source of potential employment expansion and support of the local economy, but she needs the infrastructure to ensure she's viable and ready for the future. Sixty years wasted so far by blindfolded bureaucracy.. Next year these acres will have served aviation for eighty years, it's time to sweep the opposition off the runway!!


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
22/06/21

Today's 'header photo' comes from the boundless artistry of John Varndell - with his blessing - as another mighty Falcon demonstrates how little of Blackbushe's runway it requires, the refreshing June weather providing the dynamic effects when power, size, and speed combine.

Here's another seconds later...




The residents remain snugly wrapped up while the Falcon reaches for the sky...




Another departure from the same runway, taken a few years earlier! An Eagle Viking goes off to work.




An Eagle Viking comes home to Blackbushe, another trip complete.




The Viking, workhorse of many rising British independent airlines during the 1950's, and a fundamental component of the Blackbushe scene. Continental, Pegasus, Orion, Universal, Falcon, Airwork, Eagle, are all names emblazoned on Blackbushe's home based Viking aircraft..



It was on this day in June, 1945, the much loved Vickers Viking made its first flight from the Vickers works at Wisley Aerodrome. Sadly only one Viking remains on show today, that being at Brooklands just a short hop from Wisley where the story took off. There was (is?) another in Austria languishing on a small airfield that could have done with being rescued, but.... The year before last transport quote to dismantle and bring it to the UK by surface was £53,000. Unless I sold my house it wasn't going to happen. I still live at home! The Viking, although not a great profit maker for its operators, was the backbone of Britain's airlines as the nation stepped from war to peace and the opportunities for bold aviation entrepreneurs stepped forward.

Nothing would be more appropriate for Blackbushe's civilian 'gate guard' duty than a Vickers Viking.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
23/06/21


Once upon a time people used to place a tube filled with dried leaves between their lips, set it on fire and breath in the deadly smoke...Many did, I did long ago before seeing the light rather than the lighter, it was huge business for the manufacturers and the hospitals who had to treat the consequences.

Aerobatic teams emerged sponsored by the fag ash industry, Rothmans Aerobatic Team being an iconic example as they trailed smoke across so many airfields in Europe during their day.




Rothmans appeared at early Blackbushe air shows with their Stampe aircraft...












The Pitts equipped team seen here during a distant Farnborough Week when they positioned to Blackbushe joining the many aircraft we parked on runway 14/32.. They were also a key feature of the 1976 Blackbushe Air Festival.



We live in ever changing times, smoking 'in-flight' was very popular not so long ago. Well do I recall external fuselage air vents from which long brown trails of tarry nicotine stained our otherwise clean aluminium!

Times change... Nothing to do with smoking but I read recently that Airbus and Cathay Pacific are working together toward a single pilot A350 operation.. Perhaps the day of pilotless aeroplanes is about to dawn, rather like driverless cars, with someone present 'just in case'? Who knows, when you look at how far aviation has progressed in not much more than a human lifetime it's quite certain that we can have little concept of how it will develop over the next hundred years...assuming humans do not suffer a devastating viral outbreak from a leaky lab, our nuclear arsenals are kept under lock and key, or AI doesn't take command..??

The future is full of uncertainty, none less than the future of Blackbushe Airport where her huge potential is tragically strapped down by the antics of lingering bureaucracy who for six decades have done all possible to prevent common sense from prevailing...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
24/06/21

Sunlit greetings to all who wander across the POTD pages, it's just gone half six and the view from the office window is one of a perfect summer day to come, even the lupins have recovered some of their fervour after the recent rains while the daily jackdaw invasion is consuming the daily rations..the jackdaws at least give some filling to one's airspace in these days of depleted air traffic!

Some links for you this morning. Not directly Blackbushe related, but I assume that all who wander across our pages will be smitten with a generic fascination for British aviation and the way politics threads its inevitable path through the complex of airports, airlines, and overall authority..

Farnborough Airport has, as does Blackbushe, an Airport Consultative Committee. During the years of pre pandemic meetings I always made a point of attending these meetings either at BAe offices adjacent to the Airport or more recently at Rushmoor's Civic offices. Now, like so many facets of life, the meetings have become an online event. Here for your delectation is a link to the recent Farnborough meeting wherein much deliberation carried on whilst outside sources from save the planet representation interrupted so much they had to be muted. An interesting couple of hours for you!!









Not recorded, but live this afternoon from Westminster at 15.15 comes the debate of the Backbench Business Committee where in Westminster Hall Backbench Members of Parliament will be taking on the subject of aviation, travel, and tourism. Again, you may spend a jolly hour or so listening and watching their considerations on aviation's state of play in the UK. Here is your link taking you into Westminster this afternoon... parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/73a555bf-9c83-4387-9bbb-30677002d3c4 This afternoon at 3.15pm.

Aviation is controlled by politics and too often by parties whose understanding of the fundamentals of flight and the benefits it brings is shrouded in the dark shadows of opposition and vote catching tactics. One has to look no further than Blackbushe to witness the damage inflicted by ill judged politics.

Stepping back in time to days when RAF Hartford Bridge was a key player in our wartime endeavours to return peace to the planet, the following photographs courtesy of the University of Lincoln record moments when the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, Dwight 'Ike' Eisenhower.. 'Ike' became the 34th president of the United States from 1952 to 1961.




An historic moment on the hallowed acres of what today is Blackbushe Airport. It brings tears to the eye looking at the vast hangars that were torn down under the influence of political guidance whilst the airfield transferred from Governmental to private ownership..




The boys from Blackbushe... RAF Hartford Bridge at war!




342, Lorraine Squadron of the Free French Air Force.






Christmas Greeting from RAF Hartford Bridge...




What's this? A Canadian pilot decided to give RAF Hartford Bridge a bit of a show if I recall correctly. He stepped unhurt from what was left of his Mustang.. Otherwise, some interesting images of the airfield's wartime infrastructure..




If it all got too much, a Day Pass would help....


Thanks to the University of Lincoln for the above images showing something of life as it was in the early days of Blackbushe Airport when she was known as RAF Hartford Bridge. Despite the total lack of respect or comprehension of some local politicians as to what the airfield represents from an historic point of view or from what she represents as a benefit for today and especially tomorrow we can but hope that after sixty years of abominable politics the light will soon dawn upon them as to the value of their great asset called 'Blackbushe'.


PB