PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
14/08/21

08.45, "POTD" gave the editorial staff an extra forty winks before reporting for duty. Hopefully 'better late than never' is a suitable adage?

Happily "POTD" is enjoying increasing numbers of daily visitors, hopefully evidence of the airfield's growing traffic and awareness of its value to both GA and the local population. It was noted this morning following a reported jet departure that Facebook's "Yateley Community" have leapt into the air with highly insulting remarks being made about the persons onboard the aircraft. The reaction of the Mk1 NIMBY who lives near an airfield and then complains resorting to insults at the same time. I would say, however, that the same Facebook Group later received very complimentary and understanding text as to the use of Blackbushe Airport for aeroplanes. Were the departing jet carrying a relative, human organs, or urgent medicines for one of their loved ones would the complainant still come up with their sweeping comments?




Yesterday afternoon gave my humble mobile phone a chance for some exercise and capture 'a story telling moment' on Blackbushe's sadly small apron.. A mix of larger business jets serving destinations across Europe, smaller jets that also serve a wide range of UK and European destinations, mixed with the resident training aircraft of Air First where tomorrow's aviators fly to gain their wings.



For more imagery of yesterday's activity at Blackbushe please click on this link:- blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/16171

Paul Phillips continued professional coverage of our aerodrome's aviation in action!! There are not enough words to thank him and the other members who keep the Forum's "visitors" section fuelled with their stunning shots.


Stepping back in time to 1945, once again, VJ Day would be celebrated at RAF Blackbushe with true vigour! Two days leave were granted to all personnel who could be spared, for those remaining on duty an all-ranks dance was organised. Looking across the airfield toward the eastern end where personnel were housed, messes and bars were located all we see is the overgrown uncared for waste land sponsored by local authority. The spirit of 1945 has long since moved on, maybe the wind blowing through the undergrowth and scrubby trees tells its story?

It was this weekend in 1995 that we took beloved Dakota "BVOL" from Blackbushe to Newtonards in Northern Ireland for the VJ Day celebrations. On the Sunday morning we joined various RAF aircraft and a couple of other warbirds for the official VJ Day Flypast over Belfast. Unseen, but below us Prince Andrew 'took the salute' as we carried the D-Day marked Dakota overhead. A degree of moisture oozed into the cockpit due to en route precipitation while also enroute an RAF VC10 tanker trailing a couple of Tornadoes sailed across our beam in a somewhat unexpected manner. An interesting air to air study was missed.. A sad occasion, our last mission in G-BVOL before she had to be sold. CAA demands for mods were prohibitive on the military purse strings that kept us in business so far. My job to get her around the airshows was lucrative but never met the demands of officialdom.. An amazing year came to an end with lots of Dakota hours and more airshows attended than ever before.

Flying Legends at Duxford was a big weekend, we flew in formation with the RAF Memorial Flight's Dakota, quite unusual as the BBMF do not fly in company with civvy chaps too often. The Saturday night air crew dinner in the Duxford Officers Mess was equally memorable. I dined next to the crew of the German Ju-52, delightful company they were too, while the evening rather ended in a battle of bread rolls as these baked missiles flew in each and every direction.. Happy days.




Beautiful "BVOL", we moved her from living at Farnborough to free accommodation at Blackbushe. Made it easier for me to look after her and remove the bird poops from hard to reach places and mop up the oil that streamed down the undercarriage legs as is the won't of certain P&W engines..



Dear old Blackbushe. She certainly holds a lot of memories for many people.. Sadly, the numbers who remember the post war civil airport that Blackbushe became are seemingly fewer in numbers today, but for those who share them they increasingly fuel the urge to see Blackbushe overcome the adversity that currently prevents her development. Happily, activity at Blackbushe today feeds the younger resident spotters and enthusiasts hunger while we all dream of better times to come....

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
15/08/21

Sunday, August now half consumed as we sail through a rather unimpressive English summer, today at 06.30 judging by my direct observation from office window looks to be grey and dull. Yesterday afternoon was quite different, blue skies, warm, and few clouds.. just right for the Red Arrows full display over at RAF Odiham! Grass cutting had to be halted thus enabling an occasional view of the team from the garden. Red jets against a blue sky trailing red, white and blue smoke brought back ye olde Farnborough Air Show feeling from years ago, and in our super regulated risk averse land the sights and sounds after so many months of near empty skies and Covid's blanket on our lives suddenly rekindled the joy a summer's afternoon can yield! Welcome back Reds, you're lookin' good!

Before the afternoon's heavenly show I indulged in a morning sortie to Blackbushe, the old airfield's magnetism still effects a strong pull.

The occasion offered the chance for some exercise and a perambulation upon the Yateley Common, that tract of land that once was Blackbushe Airport's eastern end but now owned by Hampshire County Council. The airfield was humming with activity, jets of various shapes and sizes adorned the apron while the morning's air traffic did its power checks at the run-up area threatening to remove one's hat if not careful!




This beautiful Piper PA-46 dropped off passengers before returning to the skies. How different Piper aeroplanes are to the dear old Colt and Tri-Pacer days!



That's the beauty catered for, now the beast....

Returning to the car and considering the view before me my mind wandered back to days in the early sixties when as a teen aged schoolboy weekends were spent joining in the efforts to help clear the horrendous mess that was Blackbushe Airport after the demolition squads had departed. AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett had acquired 365 acres of Blackbushe in hopes of creating a business/GA centre for the SW of London area..

Things at Blackbushe have changed significantly, but the dark forces opposed to Blackbushe still maintain their vigil to hamper and thwart the airfields's hopes of maturing into a fully equipped GA centre. At this point you may wish to switch off if you're interest in Blackbushe is simply watching aeroplanes or flying them, but.....

I've noticed increasing numbers of cars parking in the Airport car park's eastern end while dogs and children disembark to exit onto the wild land that now borders active Blackbushe Airport. The wild land belongs to the County Council, the County who apparently, so I'm reliably informed, do not wish to encourage people to walk on it. This land used to be Blackbushe's eastern end.



Cut off point, where transit from active Blackbushe Airport to overgrown 'ex-Blackbushe' is facilitated..

Looking at how overgrown the land has become, while brambles and snakes make it the less inviting, one needs to cast the mind back to the early sixties when the then Yateley Parish Council regained ownership of Blackbushe "east".. The Parish decided they would destroy the Airport's eastern end. Whether they had any mandate to do so is unclear, but it was quite clear that the then very small hamlet of Yateley held some bitter grudge toward the airfield. The task of excavating Blackbushe's immensely thick and strong runways would have been eye wateringly expensive, plus the taxiways and finally the superb and expansive main apron. Who paid, how much, and why?

Discussions during the past week with 'senior citizens' who also remember the wanton destruction of Blackbushe 'east' via the public purse reminded me of the Parish Council's promises when declaring their assault on the airfield. It would be a public open space, recreation areas, picnic tables, car parking, and rubbish collection bins. Such was the 'plan' for poor old Blackbushe's eastern end. Sounds quite reasonable, or so it may have seemed. Why did ALL the taxiway and runways have to be destroyed at vast cost. Yateley residents of today seem very willing to use the remaining disused runways that are still on the Airport's private land for walking, cycling etc etc ..




Council owned section of Blackbushe Airport's main apron today..



On the promised land where car parks, picnic tables, and recreational areas were promised there's none of it. Not one litter bin, no car parking, no recreational areas apart from tracks through the undergrowth, brambles to shred your legs and snakes who might enjoy a tasty bit of ankle?










The sad divide...the mysterious Vigo Lane, the dark side and the light. Testament to those public meetings when elders of Yateley literally screamed at AVM Bennett and his ambition, days when sign posts pointing to 'Airport' were torn down and dumped, nails scattered nightly on our active runways, horses ridden across runways, and a certain nearby industry showed great interest in the demise of aviation at Blackbushe..



Of course, Vigo Lane which depicted the divide between Blackbushe Airport and her former eastern end was later conveniently relocated and moved to form the road skirting the north east of the airfield today..



"Welcome to Yateley Common", the bye laws and conditions are on the reverse side. Basically, don't touch, don't damage, don't litter....don't remove any soil or surfaces.




Try as you may, it'll be difficult to read the small print 'cos it's so small and because you can't get close enough to it 'cos the sign is also overgrown with brambles etc reflecting much of its surroundings.




Apart from the wanton hostility from some local bodies over the last sixty years, the Airport is supported and appreciated by many of the population explosion that has occurred in Yateley during those years. Sadly, inevitably a few of the new population who purchased property that was built closer to the airfield moved in and then started complaining if ever an aeroplane should be encountered. It's what happens.


You may well be yawning and saying,"Oh yeah, heard it all before", and you're welcome to say that, BUT the sad facts remain that both the Yateley councils and Hampshire County were offered significant sums of money to save part of the old apron and the two thirds of the Terminal that Hampshire Count Council elected to destroy. This money would have been for the benefit of the locality. Instead a scandalous situation has occurred where public funds have been employed to deface the Airport, an airport whereby had Hampshire County Council not intervened and objected to the Planning Inspector's decision to approve de-registration of 115 acres of Blackbushe Airport's land there would be valuable new employment opportunities at the airfield today AND Blackbushe would be further supporting the local economy.

Talking of the local 'economy', don't forget the small issue of Hampshire County Council who are still in the throws of throwing away absolutely vast quantities of our HCC tax payers' money in their perverse campaign to block Blackbushe Airport's survival by fighting us in the highest Courts in the land.

There's a strong call for common sense, if you don't agree I'm sorry to have taken your time, if you do...the more who stand up and agree the better. Please don't respond again by saying you've heard it all before, the dark forces that appear to want the land known as Blackbushe Airport for uses other than aviation still need to be challenged and vanquished.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
16/08/21

05.30 seems a bit unearthly for writing about an aerodrome, but driven by a vision one has to fit all the bits into one's day! The POTD editorial staff hope that yesterday's edition of the Blackbushe daily lifted a little thought as to the adversity Blackbushe has encountered in her six decades of private ownership.. It remains a miracle that the Airport is still operational, but she has very strong willpower... Comments remain your opportunity on the Forum's 'Comments' pages!

16 August..a popular day for 'first fights'.. 1947 DHC Beaver fist flew, 1952 the Bristol Britannia made her first flight, and 1980 it was the Embraer Tucano's time to fly. All three types versed with Blackbushe's runway. Concorde visited Blackbushe but only for approaches, it was on this day in 1995 that she set a new 'Round the World' speed record. 31hours 27 minutes. JFK to JFK via Toulouse, Dubai, Bangkok, Guam, Honolulu, and Acapulco..



The trusty Beaver, first flew today 1947! Seen here attending the most recent "Picnic by the Planes" at Blackbushe courtesy of the Army Historic Flight.




1950's. One of many USAF Beavers that flew into Blackbushe.




Britannia crew training at Blackbushe..first flew on this day in 1952.




On this day in 1980 the Tucano took to the skies. From RAF Cranwell, these Tucano aircraft joined us to celebrate Blackbushe Airport's 50th Birthday celebrations in 1992. Hard to believe only next year Blackbushe will have arrived at her 80th birthday!!


That's all for today, POTD's 'staff' have lot on their plate this morning...and we're not talkin' about breakfast!

Have a good day, catch up tomorrow...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
17/08/21


06.00 and seemingly another grey dawn to greet the 'nothing to write home about' summer of 21.. However, we have little to complain about looking at the weather reports from further south in Europe where it has been unseasonably hot..to put it mildly.

Blackbushe Airport continues to ride the waves of antipathy from local local government sources with fortitude and determination. The great success of the Airport's new Pathfinder Cafe being the latest example of the way the Airport would be developed given the chance, stylish, professional, and superbly run. Tragically, those who insist on Common Land laws being followed to the letter inflict dire consequences for the airfield's operation today and tomorrow. We may baulk at the ancient laws being inflicted on the incumbents of Afghanistan by the regime who have now taken over the country, but Blackbushe is an example of ancient laws in this country being inflicted to the detriment of many by 'extremist' flag wavers' respect of ancient narrative with complete disregard for ensuing hardship.

The "Pathfinder Cafe", Blackbushe's splendid relaxation and dining facility was so named as a tribute to the one man who saved the airfield from final extinction. Air Vice Marshal Donald "Pathfinder" Bennett. Named "Pathfinder" following his extraordinary feats in World War Two and forming the Pathfinder force that so dramatically improved Bomber Commands accuracy and effectiveness and doubtless shortened the war "POTD" will over the next few days pay homage to the man and efforts to save Blackbushe from the grasp of local elements whose ambitions were certainly far from seeing Bennett's points of view regarding Blackbushe. By the time he purchased Blackbushe at the beginning of the 1960's Bennett had already achieved fame in the circles of post war British aviation pioneering independent commercial airline operations against the strength of the Government sponsored state run airlines.




In the beginning, shortly after its acquisition by AVM Bennett, the wilderness that had been an airport serving as London's second most active commercial aviation centre. I took the photo in 1962 scanning the rubble strewn destruction. The windsock told the world that Blackbushe was not ready to die.



For the next few days perhaps "POTD" will carry an outline of the dreadful deal Blackbushe has received from local sources and the determination of "Pathfinder" Bennett in dealing with it..

Sadly Blackbushe Airport's post closure story started on a somewhat unbalanced foundation, Part of it lay on land that belonged to the local parish council, the Air Ministry owned a small amount but the majority belonged to Sir Richard Calthorpe. It has been documented that owners of land adjacent to the airfield supported its closure so as their investments might mature. Understandable no doubt. But, should local politics become employed in pursuit of personal ambition the local government system is surely dealt a retrograde blow? Over the coming days "POTD" will investigate some of the extraordinary 'goings on' and steps that AVM Bennett took to secure Blackbushe as an airfield, a story that has rumbled on for sixty years and STILL rumbles on to the shame of local politics and certain of its players..

Tomorrow we'll visit a covenant drawn up in 1567.. yes 1567.





The Blackbushe days of "Pathfinder" Bennett. His aircraft company "Fairtravel" produced the Linnet, a delightful two seat side by side aeroplane, two of which were used by Blackbushe Aero Club. The scene is, of course, set on Blackbushe Airport early in the sixties, the vital southern airfield saved from extinction by the man they called "Pathfinder"..




In these days of concerns for the climate and a young activist crossing the Atlantic by yacht to make some kind of point, this day in 1978 witnessed the first crossing of the Atlantic by balloon..Double Eagle II, piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman, became the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it landed 17 August 1978 in Miserey near Paris, 137 hours 6 minutes after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.

Will it catch on?

Back tomorrow with more from the past...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
18/08/21

06.00, the mornings are getting darker, the sky a forlorn grey screen between us and the waiting blue. Suppose looking forward to summer is becoming a somewhat hopeless occupation, I'm sure we could accept a share of the excess heat that parts of Europe have endured recently?

Yesterday POTD commenced an outline study of the circumstances in the 1960's that were the birthplace of Blackbushe Airport's six decades of bureaucratic blindness to the benefits of Blackbushe - as an airport. The plan is to continue each morning feeding a little more of the unfortunate history inflicted on the airfield for your edification. Assuming this is of interest to some we will proceed each morning like this..I know some have no interest in the history and the fight that has ensured Blackbushe Airport is still operational thus providing the skeleton of the south's most potential filled GA centre, the excellent "Pathfinder Cafe" and a place for all who love aviation to fly or simply watch the proceedings. The 'woke' mentality ignoring the past and its struggles is not that of our Forum, history is part and parcel of today, and POTD will continue to reflect upon the past and its effect upon today as it always has done..

Blackbushe's origins lie in the Second World War as do those of numerous airfields. Many land titles were attached to the airfield requisitioned by the Government early in the War, thus before AVM Bennett was in a position to purchase the site serious consideration was necessary as to the legal titles involved. The question of 'rights of common' had to be examined. The Air Ministry assured Bennett that having looked closely at the legal aspects no rights of common existed although there may be such rights in the area. A 'common' mistake by several local residents was the claim that they had 'rights' across the airfield, assumed 'rights'. The AVM's diligence took him to Winchester County Library obtaining copies of a covenant drawn up in 1567, nearly 400 years prior to his trip to Winchester. One copy was in Latin, the other in olde English. Hereby the ancient 'rights' were defined, rights of covenant on 'waste lands of the manor'. The public were free to take 'moss, fern and rough timber'. Contrary to numerous claims to the opposite, there were NO GRAZING RIGHTS.. Bennett's search continued through ancient church records but no evidence came forth supporting any rights of common on Blackbushe Airport.

The Aviation Minister of the time, Peter Thornycroft, gave his full support to the AVM and his endeavours to keep Blackbushe as an airport, BUT it must not take traffic away from the newly developing Gatwick, the Government's airport development that directly contributed to the closure of Blackbushe in May, 1960. Strangely, ever since there has been some kind of a blanket over Blackbushe where she has not been able, despite sixty years of trying, to obtain the necessary sanctions to develop into the properly equipped facility she dearly needs to be. You know, hangars, an engineering base, a new terminal and restaurant, lighting, and security.

Despite assurances from high places in Government Bennett was well aware of the negativity that awaited in terms of the local parish and the county council. He knew another fight lay ahead but his make up was not to run from the fight. Bennett acquired 365 acres of Blackbushe Airport out of, "sheer desperation". He said that, "Everyone was trying to destroy aviation - they wanted to close Blackbushe and turn it back into wild land when it was an excellent airport with best weather record anywhere near London". He was thoroughly depressed seeing airport buildings being destroyed. (He was not the only one!!). In 1961 the Air Ministry and the Calthorpe family sold their interests in Blackbushe to Don Bennett. He now owned 75% of the original Blackbushe.

Tomorrow, the first tentative footsteps toward the new Blackbushe..




Sixty years may have flown, but today Blackbushe offers brilliant breakfasts (all day), lovely lunches and fabulous views of her aviation activity thanks to the new and very aptly named, "Pathfinder Cafe".




Since the AVM, Blackbushe is now in her third new ownership. Tragically part of the Airport has remained under BCA's ownership. Acres of the Airport's Common Land seemingly illegally fenced off to herd in their ever growing mass of second hand vehicles.




Today, Blackbushe looks better and is busier than she ever has since closure in 1960. She still holds the AOPA "Aerodrome of the Year" award I believe.




There she is. No matter which direction you look at her from, Blackbushe is the most environmentally friendly airfield with a long runway in the south that is also NOT earmarked to become a leafy garden suburb.




Blackbushe flies on despite the millstone of manic bureaucracy tied around her neck.... She now awaits the Supreme Court in what may be the last chance to throw off the shackles ascribed to misguided local bureaucracy. After a sixty year fight to see Blackbushe cast aside to become yet more acres of unused waste land is unthinkable to anyone who cares for or understands the benefits of Blackbushe. Of course, who knows if the Airport is dumped by the likes of Hampshire County Council's legal department, one questions who might in due course acquire the site for some other purposes?? Those who object to Blackbushe and the development of housing on the site as is the won't of their current imaginations had better stop objecting. If the Airport's development is thwarted and the owners cannot develop the height of GA excellence they intend subsequent owners of the site may have other ambitions. If you want an open space on Hartford Bridge to remain an open space better start supporting the Airport..........

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
19/08/21

Good Morning Blackbushe people..do I detect at 06.30 a break in the grey slab that has hung over us for the past couple of days?

Today's "POTD" is once again firmly locked into the magnificent and not so magnificent history of our illustrious aerodrome.

Casting thoughts back to RAF Blackbushe at this time in 1945. Reference is made to Stuart Marshal's excellent work, "The Wartime Years"... 162 Mosquito Squadron were Blackbushe based from May 1945 until July 1946 operating Mosquito XXV aircraft. Quoting from Stuart, "Briefings for 162 Squadron were undertaken by the Squadron Commander in the Squadron Office, meteological charts being collected from the Tower Watch Office. As there was only one crew at a time involved in these briefings they were usually fairly informal. It was high spirits that was put down as the reason for one of their crews taxiing down the A30 instead of the parallel taxiway, much to the consternation of a car driver, who it is reported looked in his rear view mirror to see two large whirling propellers following close behind".




Blackbushe's last Mosquito. Part of Doug Arnold's collection based at Blackbushe. One wonders what would have happened if the authorities had granted planning permission for his intended warbird museum?



A brief return now to our daily journey into AVM Bennett's plans for his Airport way back in the very early 1960s... Bennett owned 75% of Blackbushe's floor plan and his plans had Ministerial approval for a General Aviation centre to be established. The airfield would need to be licensed. A resident flying club was considered a good way to get the ball rolling. This is where the nucleus of true Blackbushe people would be brought together. Bennett called a meeting at the Hawley Hotel in Blackwater (long since closed and its grounds now a housing estate). From the number of people attending agreement was established to form the new Blackbushe Aero Club. I was sixteen and happily became a Founder Member relying on my Dad to get me to and from the meeting.. Initially the Club was run by a volunteer crew but paid staff would eventually be required. Initially, the Club was run by Lord Trefgarne but as his political circumstances demanded he had to hand over to others in the team. I met Lord Trefgarne over at Fairoaks prior to the Blackbushe 75th to seek his assistance over a couple of matters.

More on the AVM Bennett/Blackbushe saga tomorrow..and the ongoing Battle for Blackbushe.




Treffield Aviation, one of Lord Tregarne's aviation pursuits visiting Blackbushe later in the 1960s. The Anson synonymous with Blackbushe's operations from war to peace, a type that joined us for the 2016 Air Day and the Blackbushe 75th a year later courtesy of British Aerospace Systems.




Dear Annie, EKCO's calibration ship at Blackbushe in 1962. I was fortunate to log my first flight in the right hand seat during a calibration sortie in September '62 just prior to the year's Farnborough Air Show. Absolute magic for one who was seventeen and never flown in a twin with lovely radials either side..




2017, our most recent Anson movement. I wonder if she'll be back some day..?



I'll be back tomorrow with more on the Bennett/Blackbushe battle for survival..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
20/08/21

For those of us who remember Blackbushe Airport in all her finery as a Government run commercial airport, second only to Heathrow back then, the sights and sounds of those extraordinary days will linger in the memory until the last vestiges of recall are wiped out by time and creation's ultimate destination that awaits us all. I've just scanned through the Airport's electronic records of 20 August from 1957-1960 and a veritable cascade of Vikings, Dakotas, Hermes, etc etc poured out. Military movements from many nations, one of which I noted was one of the RAF's V bombers, a Vickers Valiant in 1957, light aircraft, company aircraft, quite extraordinary, no wonder bike equipped young persons would regularly pedal the ascent to Hartford Bridge's plateau to view the wondrous scene.

To the younger generations of today who were never privileged to witness the extraordinary place Blackbushe once was it's probably impossible to create the atmosphere and spirit that once dominated. There are less of us who share these memories today but all who do must also share the wish to see the Airport overcome the bureaucratic adversity that persists in holding back her progress toward maturing into a fully equipped General Aviation 'centre of excellence'.

I have never shied away from expressing what should be an overall contempt for the abhorrent way various local bureaucracies have spent the past sixty years condemning Blackbushe's prospects of development. The past year or so have shown, in some quarters, an increased and spreading disregard for history - destroying statues, disfiguring them, removing evidence of the history upon which our world has evolved - the woke attitude to history. Some have objected to our Blackbushe history being told and our known disregard for local authority and its dismal track record regarding Blackbushe. POTD's view points are cast in stone and will not change until common sense has replaced the six decades just endured under the bias, negativity, and apparent lack of comprehension toward Blackbushe that has been amply demonstrated by those concerned.




A taste of life amid the heavy aeronautical engineering that thrived in Blackbushe's long removed hangars..we're in the Britavia/Silver City hangar on Blackbushe 'south'..




At the other western end of the Airport's southern side more aviation engineering with Eagle Airways, Blackbushe's largest resident airline.


Now, on to the business of Blackbushe past and the history of AVM Bennett's valiant efforts to rescue Blackbushe from the jaws of hell..

Yesterday we reached the point where a new aero club was formed, a nucleus of new life on the deserted old airfield.. Perhaps it's time for a reminder as to WHY Blackbushe came close to extinction in 1960?

Drift back to the 1950's if you will. This is where the rot could first be detected. We had a gentleman named Harold Watkinson who was the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation in 1959. Blackbushe had become the very effective home for numerous British independent airlines, the US Navy's UK land base, and the many facets of aviation that celebrated the convenience of this Hampshire airport. Watkinson's record had failed to show he was a friend of airports. The Government realised the imperative for a second London airport after Heathrow, Blackbushe had played the role so far as she was able but big improvements would be called upon for her to play the part of the future 'second airport'..

For reasons best known to themselves the foggy grassy aerodrome where horse racing once took place was acquired by HMG and declared to be the seat for London's new airport. No doubt the owners of said land in West Sussex were well rewarded for selling the land involved?

Moving on, the department under Watkinson regarded Blackbushe as an ever present danger to its plans for Gatwick. The airline consortium formed with plans to buy Blackbushe and continue operations was dashed by the Government. No chance! Thus, Blackbushe was closed on the last day of May, 1960, thereafter the armageddon descended systematically wiping out Blackbushe Airport to the point where she was of little use. With the temporary exception of the Terminal and the US Navy hangar everything was demolished. Not just that, a deliberate act of vandalism took place to ensure the airfield was of no value. Every drain, and there were hundreds, was smashed and filled with rubble and left, all services were cut off, water, electricity, phone lines, and not just that, they were wrecked some distance away to ensure they would not easily be restored. Open trenches and holes everywhere, the huge drainage system located to the airfield's northwest was filled with debris. The new airport lighting system was ripped out. It was not a pretty sight.. Reluctantly Blackbushe's resident airlines relocated. Some went to Gatwick, others to Southend etc. Some could not take the stress and were wound up.




The price Blackbushe paid. I can honestly say the scene made a certain 14 year old lad on his trusty bike sob on the side of the A30. Not only me, so many would now be out of work following the death of "The Happy Airport" as she was known.



This was before the local parish unleashed its contempt for aviation and destroyed the east end..However, there was one element Watkinson and his airport death squad had not taken into account. One AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett. History had already proven that this man was not easily put off, he had his own particular way of overcoming adversity. The Battle of Blackbushe was about to begin..

Perhaps you could plug in tomorrow for the next steps? Blackbushe of today rests upon the shoulders of yesterday and its history... Those who dislike their local councils being taken to task should perhaps shy away!! Make your comments on the Forum, that's what we're here for..

Have a great day..
PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
21/08/21

Already gone 07.00, another day with a grey marble slab overcast but better things are forecast next week... Nature continues to work its wonder, badgers continue their nightly raids on my back lawn requiring daily repairs producing the effect of a recent air raid while at early light the mass fly-past of Canada geese provided its almost vee formation with much flapping and squawking between the crew members..

Yesterday provided the chance to mingle at the excellent Pathfinder Cafe at Blackbushe and catch up with some old, I mean familiar, faces and exchange suitable pleasantries.. Paul catching more photos for the Forum, John V was in fine fettle while his telephoto gets ever longer, and Rob was the true gentleman I always said he is, and I had no hesitation accepting his offer of a Pathfinder coffee... Thanks Rob!



Arrival at Blackbushe yesterday revealed the ever more frequent sight of jets lined up across the apron.



Now we turn to the story of AVM Bennett's rescue of Blackbushe and the walls of flak he faced from factions within the then local community. While some think it's not right to "knock" the history of local bureaucracy there is no turning back from events that shadowed and have for six decades darkened the development of what by now would have been a major asset for General Aviation and the local community. While to outsiders the story may seem unreal or unacceptable and they wish to ignore the history that has steered the Airport's path over the last sixty years (that is a long time, requires tenacity to have stuck with it for so long) the facts remain this airfield has had a raw deal.

From the very first days of Bennett's successful acquisition of 365 acres of Blackbushe his path was under constant attack from local councils. Opposition was organised by parties with vested interests in the land, who they were is well known. The first public proclamations of descent toward this Air Force officer who was planning to revive the airfield came from violent meetings in the Yateley village hall. I attended as a sixteen year old and found it extraordinary that mature adults could shout and scream and insult in such a shocking manner. There were 'leaders' within these rabble like proceedings, their motives became more obvious in time. At these public meetings supposedly giving Bennett the opportunity to make clear his plans, he explained as best as he would be allowed, that the Airport would be used for General Aviation, the big commercial operators would not be back. Yaboo... Not accepted, any flying would be an abomination to what would become a no mans land. He pointed out that many Yateley residents were Blackbushe Airport workers who had now lost their employment, a revived Blackbushe would be of much hope to them as employment opportunity returned. Corporate aviation was growing fast, Blackbushe would be an airfield of very great interest to this new wing of aviation..Bennett also reminded the various councils embroiled in the growing Blackbushe story that anti-aviation attitudes such as they were displaying had already lost Britain's light aircraft industry to the USA and France. Of course, this fell on stony bureaucratic soil.

This perhaps starts to paint the volatile goings on that have stumped Blackbushe for so long. A retired senior Naval officer who played a 'commanding' role in fighting Blackbushe wrote in the local press, "Would it not be better to treat the application [to operate Blackbushe as an airfield] as from a private individual, rather than rely on continual emphasis of the Air Vice Marshal's war record?" Inter service rivalry perchance? Other letters reflected the Mk1 NIMBY attitude toward private aviation. At the time there was very little housing near the airfield, in subsequent years dwellings have moved closer but always purchased with the knowledge that an operational airfield was on the crest of the Hartford Bridge plateau..

Tomorrow a further look at events that have direct bearing on where we are today.. and that's without the tearing down of Blackbushe sign posts, obliteration of the word 'Blackbushe', or broken glass and nails cast across our runways by night. Great care was taken to ensure 'they' had not tampered with the very few aeroplanes that had made the Blackbushe apron their sleeping quarters.




Thanks to John Varndell once again, we have travelled light years in the use of Blackbushe for aviation since those depressingly dark days. Business jets are now a regular ingredient in the Blackbushe mix, flying training continues at a pace while the numbers of resident aircraft continue to grow.



For those who are interested tomorrow a further peep into the thinking of local councils and examples of their reasoning why Blackbushe should not be considered as an airfield.

Today, we have a busy airfield with the outstanding "Pathfinder Cafe" from which to enjoy the view. Enjoy it, and when you do perhaps spare a thought for those who fought the fight to save the site from the clutches of those who sponsored its demise.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
22/08/21


Weather lookin' better, that's your 06.15 met observations complete.

Today 22nd August recalls a couple of first flights in the sphere of British aviation..




On 22nd August, 1974, the Shorts SD330 first took to the skies. The type made occasional visits to Blackbushe such as during Farnborough Air Show Weeks when the type would arrive laden with passengers. It was a most encouraging sight visualising how Blackbushe once carried many commercial passengers and contemplating the future possibilities of the third level feeder liner and Blackbushe working together more frequently.





In 1952 the somewhat larger Saunders-Roe Princess Flying Boat first took to the air on this day. For obvious reasons she could not land at Blackbushe, but nonetheless, she took time out to salute the Airport whilst in the area for Farnborough's Air Show....



Moving on with our daily plug into the past and the saga associated with Blackbushe's trepid early days facing venomous opposition from certain factions. I do wonder what would have happened to Blackbushe had AVM Bennett not been able to purchase the site. The nation's largest gravel pit? Somebody had plans judging by investment from industrial concerns based in Hampshire in support of the anti-aviation movement. The 'flying school' concept brought remarks in the local press that rural peace would be lost to student pilots flying "round and round while trying to stay airborne"...Blackbushe was well away from built up areas and if she could not operate a flying school where could one? We have to accept that the NIMBY is a fact of life. But, Blackbushe faced more than the NIMBY's frame of mind. Hampshire County Council rejected AVM Bennett's application to fly from his own airfield by eleven votes to three. Their reasons were based on suggestions such that aviation activity would interfere with the 'safety and free flow of traffic on the adjoining trunk road'. Obviously the bureaucrats realised Blackbushe would be popular with the aviation sector and it was their duty to deny any such occurrence.

This morning brief recall of the mindsets that dug in with their opposition to flying at Blackbushe Airport.. Yateley councillors lodged a complaint with the War Minsiter because an off-duty Guards officer had had the audacity to land a light aeroplane on Blackbushe belonging to his aero club. The Chairman of the local council was reported to have said he would take a sledge hammer and break down signs pointing to Blackbushe. It's not known who the culprit was, but the signs were indeed torn down! Petty mindedness had a field day amid the local authorities, a council member who walked on the runway in an attempt to get an aircraft's registration complained at a later council meeting that he'd been forced to duck to avoid a landing aircraft.

POTD won't bore you with further accounts of hostility, there are many, but it's worth noting that the local press generally supported "Pathfinder" Bennett and his plans to save the airfield. The press made clear that Hampshire County Council had made its mind up to schedule the airfield as a 'public place' despite the fact that there were 8700 acres of such land in the surrounding area.

The absurd situation was not lost on the Aviation Minister of the moment. At a public hearing in May, 1962, Dr Hill the Minister of Housing and Local Government, overruled Hampshire County Council and granted permission for the re-opening of Blackbushe Airport while the Minister of Aviation welcomed the enterprise of AVM Bennett.

On 11 September, 1962, NOTAM 617 was issued by the Ministry of Aviation announcing Blackbushe Airport was now licensed and available to civil aircraft. A most appropriate NOTAM number, we all know what 617 Squadron achieved!

Sixty years later and the Airport still fights Hampshire County Council at dreadful cost to the County's tax payers and the Airport owners. Tomorrow we continue the sorry story, and funnily enough this Forum has no intention of dropping its reporting on the bureaucratic blight that has hampered life at Blackbushe for so long despite some suggesting that the story is of no interest!





Show time, Daily Telegraph Air Show in the late 1960's. Despite the efforts of local councils, the spirit of aviation has remained unbroken at Blackbushe, the importance of the Airport as an asset to the area and General Aviation has never been clearer than today as business flights gain impetus and new echelons of pilots for tomorrow master the art of aviation - tomorrow's airline pilots in the making!



Long live Blackbushe...and have a nice day too!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
23/08/21


Another working week for those who work, for those who don't it's still a mystery how time was found for work and life's many other ventures, but found it was - no choice!

Rob Belcher's addition to our Blackbushe movements page yesterday morning indicated the continued business jet activity that Blackbushe now hosts, indication that were the airfield to overcome the man made obstacles placed in the way of her improvement programme we would have a very active and self sustaining enterprise, "M-ODUS has arrived from Linz to accompany M-CICO, G-WCCP Be200 was on the ramp at 09:00" M-ODUS and M-CICO are, of course, the superb tri engined Falcon jets originating from the Dassault factory. Photos of these aircraft are on the movement pages.

Grateful thanks to the 600 visitors to our "POTD" pages yesterday, indication that the Blackbushe subject is in increasing circulation..

Without more ado, we'll slide back into history mode and our look at the circumstances that befell Blackbushe Airport in her early days as a prospective General Aviation centre.

October, 1962, something of a milestone event took place. "The Great Blackbushe Airport Re-opening Air Display" took place. An extraordinary fly-in whereby the airfield devoid of aircraft filled up by lunchtime into the miracle sight of an airfield covered in aeroplanes! Sandwiched between school work I had been spending as much time as possible assisting Gordon Wilmer, the airfield care taker, with his work in the months prior to the Re-opening show and accordingly was excited beyond measure at the prospect of this day! A two hour flying display from civil and military participants was the crowning glory of an amazing October day.. Some memories of the visiting aircraft below..



















An unforgettable day, but the Battle of Blackbushe was far from over.

Despite the approval of Blackbushe as an airport by no less than two Government ministries Yateley Parish Council somehow pressed forward a claim that AVM Bennett's land was not freehold and the public had right of access. It is, of course, freehold and the AVM owned 365 acres of freehold Blackbushe territory. The rumour mill was kept busy too. Letters appeared in the local press that aircraft such as the VC10 would be operating from here by airlines such as BOAC and BUA. Aviation's loudest critics are often those who know least on the subject, in this case aircraft like the VC10 would need a lot more runway length than Blackbushe could offer! Nevertheless, the mischief coming from the parties who would rather Blackbushe fell to some other purpose than aviation were a relentless source of interest! Yateley Parish Council played their hand by showing where their land started and Blackbushe ended. They cut a trench across the main runway, an act of considerable distaste to those who valued this superb aviation asset.

At one of the manic village meetings in Yateley a vote was held as to how many supported Bennett's plans for Blackbushe. The voting form produced was misleading, it is reported that people who thought they were voting in favour of Blackbushe actually voted against it.. The situation lead Don Bennett to issue a a writ against Lt Commander Michael Chaplell, the Yateley Parish Council Chairman and its twelve member. He was not successful in this..

Blackbushe continued flying operations, the new Blackbushe Aero Club had gained 200 members (I was a Founder Member)..The Club's founder had saved the airfield from destruction having fought off the marauding attempts of various local councils.

Tomorrow we'll continue the saga of the sixties, it's far from over!!


PB