PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
05/07/21


06.00, Monday morning.. From the window a strangely perfect blue sky, sunlit trees, and the daily gaggle of jackdaws noshing the spoils and planning the day's flying.

"POTD" steps back in time to recall one or two samples of bygone days. For example, on this day in 1942 the mighty Avro York first tasted the joy of flight. From the drawing boards of Roy Chadwick whence the Lancaster was born emerged the York, she borrowed various Lancaster components to become a much loved workhorse of the RAF and commercial operators. Her triple fins were a highly recognisable feature, the third central fin being an addition to the original York to improve directional stability. The York was very much a part of Blackbushe in her civil days..




Tie up the three finned, multi engined delight of the York's appearance with the sound of her four Merlins and you've got another British classic aeroplane!



Stepping back to RAF Blackbushe and another update from 1945.. July, 1945, found security at the airfield was posing a bit of a problem leading to Sqn Leader Coxwell of the Provost Marshal's Inspectorate to visit Blackbushe in connection with these problems. It was decided that the station itself had to take on responsibility for its own security. Day time security had been the airfield's responsibility but now they'd have to look after nighttime security too. Apparently this extra task did not sit well RAF Blackbushe personnel and a police guard dog was acquired to patrol the airfield and domestic sites. For one dog this was rather a large area of responsibility! Meanwhile, 613 Squadron were operating communications flights from their Epony base to the UK via Blackbushe. 301 (Polish) Squadron moved to RAF North Weald, their flights to Naples and Athens being taken over by 147 Squadron and now operated from RAF Croydon.

On this day, 5th July, 1945, a highly interesting demonstration took place at Blackbushe. Two Lancasters demonstrated in-flight refuelling, one having been converted to become an airborne tanker. The demonstration took place in front of Air Marshal Sir R Cochran KBE CB, who was AOC in C, Transport Command, and Sir Alan Cobham.




Blackbushe's Lancaster..Based here during the 1950's and operated by Eagle on behalf of the Ministry of Supply for survey work etc. Sadly she was scrapped when her clock finally ran out of time. Subsequently what is now 'Just Jane' at East Kirkby was the last Lancaster to fly from Blackbushe when she stayed for a couple of days for an airshow in the 1960s..



That's all for today...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
06/07/21


A night of seemingly biblical rainfall, but at 03.30, or just after, one's regular blackbird was in full song regardless of the weather while rendering its own version of singin' in the rain.. Of course, the batteries in my weather station way up on the roof died so no record of the actual rain fall, I'm contemplating the neck breaking risk factor of replacing the batteries. Can't be any worse than clambering up the AVM's ladder when we built the 'temporary' Control Tower back in '62 or 3?

July 6th. In 1980 this was the last day of the PFA Rally at Leicester, records indicate no less than 750 aircraft attended on the day making it the largest light aircraft gathering outside of the USA. Blackbushe reaches her 80th next year...No, I don't envisage 750 attending aeroplanes, but perhaps a fly-in on a smaller scale to show off the airfield and her new dining delights at the "Pathfinder Cafe"..? I wonder how a "Pathfinder Fly-in" would sound with a BBQ sizzling away for all who attended by air? Limited attendance, landing charges covering the cost of a BBQ meal for two? Just thinking aloud...




The scene during one of our very early fly-ins, 1960's includes some of our stalwart early home based aeroplanes too. The way we were, an apron still 100% intact, the US Navy hangar and Blackbushe "east" before the Council let it go to seed... Having that many aircraft on show at Blackbushe at the same time was quite the emotional experience. Had you been around to remember Blackbushe in her former days and witnessed what they did to destroy her you'd understand...




Blackbushe's 50th Anniversary gave me the chance to drag in some aeroplanes including the "Diamond Nine" Tiger Moths, a small flying display, warbirds and the RAF and US Navy! I forget the total number that attended on the second day of the event but it turned out to be the largest gathering since the 77' Air Festival and the '62 "Re-opening" Air Display..if not the largest? Fun times...



Catch you tomorrow, hopefully "POTD" will be here too..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
07/07/21


06.00 on another July morning, another July morning wherein the weather is singularly disappointing. Hopefully it will be brighter later? The Royal Air Force are celebrating the Puma's 50 years of service today by sending a formation of these wingless craft on a tour of England's strategic points. This evening around 17.45 local time Blackbushe is included in their list of waypoints. This link courtesy of 'Military Airshows' gives you the full picture.. www.military-airshows.co.uk/press21/maps/puma50ann-070721.htm?fbclid=IwAR12i8VHnCSLTqceDed-x-DvXc5GVRaIEaQeYAid-XD-yx_SYZzSVoCvQUc As with everything that flies, or hopes to, the weather and 'circumstances' are always free to stick their fingers in the works....

Thanks to they who advise of air traffic movements at Blackbushe I note another PC-12, a French one this time, visited the hallowed Blackbushe tarmac yesterday. Always good to see a serious business aeroplane using the airfield as they qualify the sense of the word 'airport'.. Happily Blackbushe remains a qualified airport thanks to her runways and associated Terminal and Control Tower.




Thanks to Rob Belcher for this view of Blackbushe's latest PC-12 from foreign shores..




For those who feel strongly for the Airport's continued operation and also feel strongly regarding Hampshire County Council's highly costly legal efforts to squash Blackbushe's ambition for an improved infrastructure today is your continued chance to complete the County's consultation as to how they can save the necessary millions of pounds from their expenditure over the next two years... Suggesting they stop their cash sucking legal action against Blackbushe and support the Airport as an asset a lot of us would feel far more comfortable. If you're a Hampshire resident and have not completed the consultation now is the time, if you truly appreciate the value of Blackbushe as a future General Aviation centre then it's your duty to complete the documentation and have your say. There are just eleven days left until the consultation closes... www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/balancing-the-budget YOUR chance to join all the others who have now expressed concern over Hampshire County Council's shocking use of OUR money to ruin the wonderful aviation asset in waiting on the Hartford Bridge plateau.. BLACKBUSHE!

Thereby ends another early morning scrabble with the keyboard. Thanks to all who 'tune in' and especial thanks to the very small band of gentlemen who kindly offer the silicon chip age of appreciation with a 'like' most mornings, a little appreciation goes a long way!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
08/07/21

Last evening's formation flypast to mark the Puma's fifty years of service with the RAF included Blackbushe in the promulgated list of route waypoints. The Airport car park swelled in numbers as many arrived in hope of witnessing an historic aviation moment. Some excellent photographs have been shown taken from Hook/Sandhurst/Farnborough regions but not from Blackbushe! The adventurous and wise Robert Belcher travelled by foot to the main runways east end whereby some distant shots were secured! From the car park one could hear the passing choppers as they sank behind the trees south of the airfield.

Leaving the airfield a few minutes before 18.00 the A30 appeared particularly busy, traffic levels were reminiscent of the 1960's before the M3 was opened..the left hand turn out from the car park was the only logical departure route with a 180 at the roundabout if you wished to head west. Safer too! Driving the full two miles between roundabouts at either end of Blackbushe always conjures up visions of hangars, large white tails and transport aeroplanes spread across the entire vista either side of the road, and the many buildings that once formed the fabric of Blackbushe.



Witnessing last evening's gathering of people assembled around the car park and filling the grass adjacent to the apron fencing launched some rather mixed reactions. First, the attendees did not seen to include many younger age group representatives, but that's just my observation. What is totally factual is that some sixty three years have flown bu since I was first cleared to go solo on my beloved bike and do the run from Crowthorne to Blackbushe solo!! The roads in 1958 were far less congested, traffic was less menacing for a young biker, it's just the hills that have retained a constant. Sixty three years ago my bike rides to Blackbushe terminated either on the side of the A30 or in the main car park adjacent to the east end of the Terminal. The east end of the Terminal in question has long since vanished under the destructive power of Hampshire County Council, the land where the Terminal once reached and the very large area where once the full sized apron spread is today just an uncared for tangled overgrowth of scrub and brambles.

Sixty three years ago my 'relationship' with Blackbushe was cast for life on that now forsaken piece of Hampshire. Yesterday, sitting and thinking for a few minutes, seeing good people pressed against a Blackbushe fence adjacent to the remains of the apron brought together the reality of 'today' compared to the reality of 'yesterday' 63 years ago at the other end of the Terminal.

As a twelve year old I could never have imagined how the Blackbushe 'journey' would have unravelled in years to come or how such a beautiful airfield would be desecrated by politics or its businesses thrown aside thrown aside in the wake of bureaucracy. As someone now slightly older it's still hard to believe, and it's still going on!




A reminder of the precious views of Blackbushe seen from the old east of the Terminal long gone car park..




A film set, but shows the Terminal's 'east end' before the final extension was built...




"The Fence". The barrier between a twelve year old's burning desire to cross it and get closer to the action..was it true that all pilots looked like movie stars?




"Yesterday, all the Pumas were so far away..", but the gathered assembly of hopeful observers brought back recall of six decades ago at the 'other end' of the Terminal. Sadness, yes, but an overall joy that Blackbushe Airport is still operational and a place where those who share a love for flight, or just appreciate aeroplanes, can gather abeam a fence by the apron...



I hope you agree? If you do, feel free to say so, the Forum is for YOU to express your thoughts too....

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
09/07/21


How nice it would be to have some of last summer's weather, nonetheless Blackbushe continues to have a small but fairly regular number of business aircraft using her facilities. Despite the global Covid situation, manufacturers are continuing development of new aircraft to support the GA business sector. Cessna's elegant yet rugged Sky Courier in either 19 seat passenger config or pure freight



...while over at Pilatus the PC-24 is enjoying various upgrades.



This link from the Forum's 'non Blackbushe discussion' carries the upgrade detail.. blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/15970 Both aircraft are types totally suited to an airfield like Blackbushe where airfield statistics and catchment areas combine to make them a perfect match. Meanwhile, we can but hope that a way is found around the impasse created by Hampshire County Council, otherwise....?



Throughout her many years Blackbushe has been a firm supporter of light and business aircraft in addition to her fame as THE airport for post war commercial aviation's growth..




Aero Commander in transit February, 1956. Delivery to Laos Air Force.




Stewart Smith & Co's Dove, Blackbushe based from 1952 to 1954.




Airwork's Blackbushe based Rapide, 1952.




Buster Paine's Hawk Speed Six G-ADGP was a Blackbushe resident in 1952.




The Grumman Duck and the first civil Dragonfly, further evidence of Blackbushe's wide traffic variety in the fabulous fifties.




A Farnborough visitor in 1956 from the Royal Artillery Aero Club.




Fairchild Argus, 1949, Blackbushe based and maintained by Silver City.




..and so it goes on. Proof that the light aeroplane is no stranger to Blackbushe's tarmac, we can but hope they stay together for many more years?

Hampshire County Council's consultation as to how they may save expenditure over the coming years in now closed. Thanks to all who completed it and perhaps gave mention to the County Council's hideous expenditure on legal assignations intent on thwarting Blackbushe Airport's future viability as one way they could save OUR money!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
10/07/21


Given the chance Blackbushe Airport would today be providing all the services and facilities of a fully developed and high class business and General Aviation airport. Given the chance! However, despite obstructive tactics by Hampshire County Council the Airport provides the very best it is able to in facilities, airfield equipment, and a very warm welcome to all. For an airfield with so much potential to be under the thumb of a belligerent County Council is no less than tragic, but Blackbushe provides the best she can under the circumstances..

No better proof than the fabulous and new "Pathfinder Cafe" where, dining in or dining out, and viewing the airfield's busy air traffic is the coolest eating experience in the area.. Open now for a few weeks, the "Pathfinder" has just undergone her first hygiene inspection by local Hart District Council and consequently been awarded a food hygiene rating of "Five", and that's the best you can get!! The new cafe run by Blackbushe Airport is indeed indicative of how the Airport management and her staff tackle everything in regard to running the Airport.




Great work Pathfinder Cafe and her crew, a flying start!!



By way of a reminder as to why the name "Pathfinder" was given to the new Airport cafe...

As we all know, in 1960 Blackbushe Airport was closed by HM Government, London's 'second airport' was left to the dogs and one of our finest airport locations was seemingly lost for all time. However, just one person had the fortitude to save all that he could of Blackbushe Airport. Air Vice Marshal Don "Pathfinder" Bennett acquired 365 acres, a large portion of the old airport, vowing to turn the now derelict and destroyed site into the south's prime General Aviation centre.

It was "Pathfinder" Bennett's great ambition that saved Blackbushe and sixty years after we still have an operational airfield. However, those sixty years have been dogged by bureaucratic blight from various sources and now primarily from the ruling Hampshire County Council. AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett was not used to being defeated either in his magnificent long distance navigation achievements prior to the war, wartime exploits during which his "Pathfinder" squadrons were formed, or developing post war civil air routes and championing the growth of British civil independent airlines. The nation has much to thank 'Pathfinder' Bennett for..

It seemed a very appropriate nod to the past for the revived Blackbushe cafe to carry the name that is so significant, a salute to the man who saved Blackbushe, and not only that, the man who pioneered so much in British aviation and during the war developed the "Pathfinders" whose formation and heroism changed the RAF's targeting success and consequently shortened the war and spared many lives.

I got to know the man well, and remember clearly his dry smile when things met his approval. I was thrilled when the Airport asked me to suggest some names for the new cafe, there was one that seemed very significant! Today, I can just imagine that approving smile as the "Pathfinder Cafe" continues to thrive on 'success', a key word in 'Pathfinder' Bennett's vocabulary...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
11/07/21


"Will it, won't it?" That's the question the nation is asking as to whether today goes down in the annals of sporting history...will it, or won't? Regret POTD is not at liberty to say but it's safe enough to predict a couple of goals will be scored over at Wembley this evening. What we can predict with a high degree of accuracy is that Blackbushe Airport and the Pathfinder Cafe will not be opening until 10.00 tomorrow morning allowing for the various forms of recovery that may be necessary. As the Blackbushe Airport website suggests, why not have a celebratory Breakfast at the Pathfinder Cafe in the morning?

Diving back into history for a minute, and continuing POTD's tracking of life at RAF Blackbushe during July, 1945, some note from this month 76 years ago..

8th July. Sqn Leader Whitehead reported for duty as the new Chaplain, his assistant was the Rev H D Woolcott.

9th July. The first weekly conference of Unit Commanders took place in connection with the Station Welfare Organisation.

10th July. Wing Commander D E Bennett (not THAT Bennett) reported for duty as Wing Commander Flying.

12th July. A Warwick, HG223, made a forced landing resulting in no damage to it or its occupants. Smoke rising from under the Wireless Operators seat due to an electrical fault caused a degree of concern and Flt Lt Brown decided to return to the safety of Blackbushe with the utmost haste.




The Royal Air Force Memorial Flight's salute to Aerobility at the opening of their new Blackbushe hangar.. The sight and sound of victory! seems appropriate this morning...



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
12/07/21

07.00, grey overcast, steady rainfall, some days just seem destined to be depressing...

Don't know what the weather was like, but back in June, 1965, the Britten-Norman Islander made its first flight. A success story for private enterprise in British aviation.. By October, 2019, some 800 Islanders were in service around the world, while over at Cranfield 'Project Fresson' is in progress toward developing an electric power unit for the Islander..




The Doug Arnold era and his investments in BN created a regular flow of Islanders through Blackbushe, often fitted with long range tanks for some very long haul delivery flights..








BN Defender participating in the 1977 Blackbushe Air Festival




Visiting Islander, Northern Executive from Manchester. Fun flights carrying newspapers from Manchester to Heathrow in the very small hours long ago..




Another hard working aeroplane, the Trislander pops in on duty..



Blackbushe's Islander days now belong to another age, a bit like the Miles Aerovan who had a similar purpose in life and graced Blackbushe in another far more distant age..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
13/07/21

For various reasons China has been increasingly in the headlines during the last year or so, on this day in 1945 China made an impression on RAF Blackbushe in the shape of an unusual visitor from that far off land. Lt Col Li Kuo-Pei who was the Chinese Liason Officer at HQ RAF Transport Command arrived to inspect the Warwick aircraft. POTD records do not show the motivation behind the visit, but the type had been giving significant problems with too frequent engine failures.

On this day, 13 July 1948, VX154 arrived from RAE Farnborough. It also arrived on the next three days too. The aircraft was a Fiesler Storch flown as a Farnborough crew ferry. The Storch was a type not to be seen at Blackbushe for another 29 years when it arrived for the 1977 Blackbushe Air Festival... VX154 being one of a number of German aircraft captured intact enjoyed a period of evaluation at Farnborough was m used for displays and glider towing before being retired by the RAE to be used as a spares source. Moved to Halton, Colerne, Wroughton, Fulbeck, Finningly and Coltishall. While at Coltishall it was considered for acquisition by the BBMF but manpower resources would not permit. Finally the aircraft moved to the Aerospace Museum at Cosford where she remains to this day..




The Rt Hon Patrick Lindsay's Fiesler Storch was one of numerous German types seen at Blackbushe's 1977 Air Festival..



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
14/07/21


Looking as if there is the chance of some of that what is called "summer weather" moving our way? Perhaps to coincide with Boris's decision to release the harnesses of restriction regarding our activity, and responsibility, in the face of a pandemic that is going to affect us, one way or another, for some time to come. For reference to our local Hart District, the ZOE study indicates 178 active cases in this area, up 36 from last week. No room for complacency, but nonetheless a small percentage of the approx 98,000 population within Hart's regime.

Airfields have one big advantage in the face of viral invader, tons of fresh air and open spaces with hopefully relatively few 'spreaders' of the problematic little critters. A great opportunity exists at the present time for new business to get its feet established on Blackbushe soil. Superb offices are available providing a logistically perfect base for a business operation. Accessed by the A30 London-Southampton trunk road, plenty of parking space, in the knowledge that Blackbushe Airport is perfectly situated for quick connection to the M3 Motorway, is in an environmentally perfect situation while surrounded by the business rich area south west of London.








No doubt as to the location!




Naturally, all who spend time at Blackbushe have the benefit of the Airport's new "Pathfinder Cafe" already proving to be a great hit and very popular with all who eat and drink at this excellent venue where, weather depending, you may eat outside in the spacious viewing area offering the closest possible views of the Airport's users taxiing on the way to, or from, the runway. Inside, the clean modern layout with the option of Boeing 747 seating provides excellent views but safe from the weather's sometimes adverse moods!




Perhaps today you won't get the types of aeroplanes that sealed Blackbushe's fame as a perfect commercial airport in the 1950's taxiing by...




..but today they could be jets for business... Thanks to Ken for an excellent view!




..or some of the lightest of aeroplanes resident at Blackbushe for flying training..



A cuppa at the "Pathfinder Cafe" and you might just be tempted to take a trial flying lesson at one of the Airport's highly professional flying schools, and who knows where that may take you?


PB