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Post by PB on Oct 23, 2021 7:35:10 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 23/10/21 And so we meet again, Saturday, October moves toward Halloween, Firework night, Christmas, and maybe possibly perhaps a new year wherein Blackbushe moves forward - or otherwise - via the Supreme Court? Meanwhile we continue to tread time as the sixty year 'Battle of Blackbushe' shows no sign of abating. There is no doubt that one of our nation's great fighters for justice and freedom and the man who saved Blackbushe from being totally reduced to rubble would be proud of the endeavours of Blackbushe's owners today and the immense and costly legal campaign they have fought so far to place Blackbushe on the road to being the General Aviation centre envisaged by Air Vice Marshall Donald "Pathfinder" Bennett. Sixty years is beginning to feel like a very long time to break the barriers placed around the airfield by parties who do not envisage aviation as being a part of modern day England..
Today, we continue the very much compressed "POTD" story of AVM Bennett's activities, perhaps to give an idea of the mind set of the man who had a vision for Blackbushe's future as this splendid airfield was being torn apart by other parties; continuing from the past couple of days.......Post war South American routes were a bone of contention chewed at by BOAC who felt they had claim to routes serving the routes that BSAA would operate. The aviation minister chaired a meeting between the two carriers, BOAC's Chairman, General Critchley, met Don Bennett flying the BSAA colours.. BOAC claimed they could operate the South American routes within three months, Bennett claimed he already had 12 Lancastrians each fitted with 13 comfortable reclining passenger seats. BSAA would benefit from the number of ex-Pathfinder crews on the staff, large numbers of experienced Lancaster crews was considered an advantage.
Wartime aircraft production with the Americans producing many transport aircraft such as Dakota, DC-4 and Constellation while in the UK aircraft production had focused on fighter designs. A converted Lancaster would not have the appeal of a DC-4 for example. Avro produced the York as an alternative to the old bomber. Bennett equipped BSAA with Lancastrians and some Yorks from the RAF while also negotiating bi-lateral routes across the whole of Latin America..
BSAA first proving flight famously departed Heathrow on the first day of 1946 with Bennett in command, a flight that was also the first international departure from London's new airport. 15 years later he would purchase the remains of London's other airport, Blackbushe..
Bennett's previous experience as an airline captain with Imperial Airways was of great value in bringing 'systems' to the cockpit, ie the use of checklists rather than the RAF cockpit nmemonics procedures that would not suit the demands of commercial flying.
"Pathfinder" Bennett was described as running BSAA like the Air Force, he was great with aircraft but passengers' needs were perhaps not given the focus they may have wished for? Bennett had a highly serious approach to life, he did not smoke, he did not drink. Down the routes air crews tend to have fun while away from home for lengthy periods, a fact I can easily corroborate, but the AVM did not approve of excess partying and woe betide crews who 'overdid' things in any way...
Under the Attlee Labour Government aircraft were ordered for the airlines by civil servants without discussion with BOAC, BEA or BSAA. So it was that Avro produced the new Tudor airliner. A 'modern' airliner with pressurised cabin that was so down on performance BOAC refused to have anything to do with it. However, Bennett saw it differently and being an enterprise from they who built the Lancaster. Opinions varied as to the aircraft's benefits. The Tudor was a disaster for BSAA and Bennett accordingly left the company. Two BSAA Tudors were lost, Star Tiger and Star Ariel.
Bennett was called for by Lord Nathan, the Minister of Civil Aviation, and told to ground the Tudors. Bennett claimed there was no justification for this action as the ARB had refused to withdraw the types CofA.
In February, 1948, the Daily Express an article under the heading, "I CONTEST LORD NATHAN'S GROUNDING OF THE TUDOR IV" by Air Vice Marshal DCT Bennett. In his article Bennett referred to those who are openly anti-British toward aviation. Bennett may have been an 'aussie' but he was fiercely pro British! His anger toward those who in the 1960s opposed his plans for Blackbushe Airport reflected his feelings for our anti-aviation fellows that exploded forth as the Government meddled in BSAA's activity. Bennett resigned from BSAA and thus pursued a path where he, the Tudor, and forging pathways into independent civil aviation would shape the future for private venture civil aviation in the UK.
More on that tomorrow...
Having worked for Bennett during his early tenure of Blackbushe there was no doubt he could be a demanding employer who made his requirements of staff quite clear. It's fair to say he taught me various lessons on life, he was courageous in all he did fronting those who opposed him, his principles were very clear reqarding behaviour, smoking and drinking. Getting the job done was always tantamount, often using the most economical means....An association with the AVM would leave a life long impression, one reason why I suggested the new Blackbushe Cafe's name should reflect his contribution to the country and Blackbushe. The "Pathfinder Cafe" awaits.. Love her, hate her, the mighty Tudor rests at Blackbushe. More on that tomorrow!The new Forum 'header photo' today offers a taste of Blackbushe of old. A Viking rests at the rear of Eagle Airways hangar located on the south western corner of Blackbushe's acres south of the A30. The rugged, almost wild and remote aspect of Blackbushe that gives her a unique atmosphere can be seen by the heather that grew willingly on her wide open spaces while airliners rested or went about their business. The Viking was ex Central African Airways before flying for Globe Link and subsequently joining Eagle's Blackbushe fleet from 1957 to 1959.. Eagle's much loved Gemini faces the hangar.Have a nice Saturday..
PB
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Post by PB on Oct 24, 2021 8:32:27 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 24/10/21"POTD" Take two... They said the 'lights would go out this winter', sure enough they did around 06.00 just as POTD was into her second paragraph of the day. Breakfast early with two candles to throw some light on the matter and read a page of two of the freshly delivered news journal.. Luckily two candles were to hand and one's Weetabix was consumed in true Dickensian fashion, except back then perhaps a daily newspaper was not a breakfast companion as it is today?
This morning's aborted "POTD" related the latest in Covid updates before the lights went out, as you can tell power supply has now be reconnected. The media, rightly or wrongly, have rekindled the Covid fear machine even going so far as predicting another Christmas 'lock down'. There's no doubt the anti-vaxxers have much to answer for as media reports focus on those who have sadly lost their battle with Covid or are suffering the consequences of the disease having refused to be jabbed. Referring to the ZOE Covid study, Hart District in which Blackbushe Airport lies, currently has 1,346 active Covid cases, a number some 97 down from this time last week. Hopefully the 'third jab' story will accelerate and keep not only Blackbushe as safe as possible.
The past few days of "POTD" have looked at AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett's time from heading the Pathfinder operation to the outbreak of peace and his involvement with Government and civil aviation.
A few more lines on the subject of "Pathfinder" Bennett and his journey to Blackbushe....
He was not necessarily the easiest of people to deal with, he was a man of cast iron principles. Air Vice Marshal Ivor Broom DSO, DFC, AFC said of Bennett who was his wartime chief, "If you were a professional in your job you got on with him like a house on fire. If you were unprofessional he wouldn't let you last five minutes"..
Yesterday the "POTD" brief account of post-war Bennett lead to the arrival of the Avro Tudor. The one new British airliner to be built apart from the Avro York which was rather cobbled together with Lancaster parts and a freight or passenger carrying fuselage..The war effort had seen the UK produce some of the world's finest fighting aircraft but to the detriment of possible post war revenue earners. The Halifax, Sterling and Lancastrian provided some capacity while the York and rapidly produced Bristol Freighter proved useful assets as our post war skies increasingly witnessed their wings being used for peaceful purposes. The Tudor was our one all new commercial transport and Bennett was determined to make the most of it.
Having left BSAA Bennett was unemployed for a while. However, Russia supplied an answer to his temporary 'between jobs' status. They closed the road to West Berlin thinking the west would capitulate and hand over the city..The Kremlin were in for a surprise! The Berlin Air Lift came to being with RAF and the US Air Force operating an air shuttle to feed the city but the demands were such that military support would not be adequate. Independent carriers were ready and willing to include their old fleets in the battle for Berlin. Bennett found the opportunity to form his own freight company. The Labour Government had now been swept aside, Peter Thorneycroft was now Minister of Aviation and aquainted with the AVM. By good fortune a number of Tudors were standing idle having been stretched to increase their capacity. The Labour Government had grounded the type, they remained unfurnished and unpressurised. Ideal for freight work! Bennett went of the City of London successfully raising the money to buy his Tudors, anew company Airflight Ltd was formed and initially located at Langley, an airfield near London. Run from his home with his wife and a number of ex BSAA and Pathfinder personnel the AVM was ready for the skies once more..
Much of the flying was done by Bennett himself, he did all the night flying, and with full loads flown on a frequent basis the aircraft soon paid for themselves. The Tudor proved a very stable and worthy aeroplane. With the cessation of the Berlin Airlift Bennett had two Tudors. He formed a new company, Fairflight Ltd., and prepared to take on whatever the free world would offer. Fairflight operated to Korea as the North and South were at war, they flew Moslems on the Hadj pilgrimage. The formation of the State of Israel witnessed many Fairflight operations taking Jews from Yemen to their new land. So emaciated were they that some 142 were carried in the Tudor designed fr 78 passengers. It was during these Fairflight years that Bennett became familiar with Blackbushe and the benefits she afforded such as good weather, closeness to London and location on the major London-Southampton trunk road.
A little more tomorrow. British South American Airlines times.. A BSAA York at Blackbushe during a crew training sortie.How time flies.. 30 years have flown since Blackbushe celebrated her 50th birthday. Next year we mark her 80th Anniversary with a Fly-In, BBQ, a small static aircraft display, fun and games and a raffle to benefit the Airport'a incredible charity Aerobility. Many emails will soon be flying from this PC to encourage the nation's aviators to take advantage of a FREE landing opportunity at Blackbushe in June next year... Happily the mains power is still connected!!
PB
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Post by PB on Oct 25, 2021 7:01:44 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 25/10/21Another Monday, half six is just minutes away and the lights are still on... Yesterday's power outage from around 06.00 confirmed the thin veneer that surrounds our lives, in a split second sitting in inky blackness subsequently dependent on the light of a couple of ancient candles and zero ability to continue with POTD's daily scramble for words, or pretty much anything 21st Century related. Perhaps not as cheek reddening as the situation in Glasgow for the beckoning COP26 gathering where delegates from around the world will soon flock to 'save the planet'. 25,000 attendees including 120 heads of state. Seemingly the fleet of electric Jaguar Land Rover 'eco' vehicles gathered for the occasion far outnumber the available car charging points necessitating hiring generators to keep COP26 on the road. To be green they'll be powered by fuel derived from old chip fat. Boris's green map leading to our futures is paved with good intentions but there might be a few bumps in the road while getting there. Despite yesterday's power interruption POTD finally got back on the road whereby the brief outline of "Pathfinder" Bennett's life was brought toward its conclusion. After the war his flying exploits continued with his companies "Airflight" and later "Fairflight" where ex service heavies and the new Avro Tudor provided wings for his ventures.
After the Berlin Airlift Bennett moved to areas where his engineering skills could be put to use, he established a business making parts for the aircraft industry as a subcontractor. 1951 brought about changes as the Ministry frowned upon subcontracting work and the order book emptied. While some might have given up or turned to making bits for other industries Bennett took this as an opportunity proclaiming he would design and build cars. As you do.
In a very short time the first of his Fairthorpe cars emerged. His designs span from rather slow but economical cars such as the Atom 1 to the high performance vehicles such as those powered by the Coventry Climax engines. All was going nicely, 50 employees and production of several hundred cars every year. That is until new legislation was introduced requiring 'type approval', something beyond the financial reach of small manufacturers like Fairthorpe. A business that provided jobs and earned export money was forced to just make spares for the Fairthorpes that were already in use around the world.The "AVM" arrives at Blackbushe aboard one of his Fairthorpe sports cars, circa 1962... A fine car it was too, having travelled as his passenger on a number of occasions it certainly felt like a fun machine. ..plus the AVM's Land Rover, painted light blue and yellow your scribe learned the wonders of driving on this machine thanks to having an airfield at his disposal.. Bennett's irrepressible urges to be doing something demanding next took him to the manufacture of light aeroplanes. He had built a Dart Kitten, but was attracted to the French Emeraude, an attractive aeroplane that was also a good performer. A works was established at Denham aerodrome where the slightly modified Emeraude was built under the name of Fairtravel Linnet. The components were taken to Blackbushe for final assembly. For the reasonable sum of £2450 you could buy a new Linnet equipped with a useful panel.. Sadly, the government yet again stepped in the way of Bennett's enterprise, this time having built just seven Linnets it was announced that the government were to subsidise the Beagle aircraft company. The state machine once again steam rollered the job creating enterprise that was of no cost to the public. The government poured millions into Beagle, jobs for the boys, and who won?
But, in 1961 AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett had acquired Blackbushe and no political interference was going to stop his plans for the nation's most advanced General Aviation centre. It's 2021 and we know the story relating to Blackbushe only too well.. If a picture paints a thousand words.... The AVM's Airport, the main Terminal before it was largely destroyed by the County Council, the AVM's Fairthorpe sports car, and the AVM's Fairtravel Linnet.Hopefully the last three of four days as we've travelled through tiny pieces of AVM Bennett's life have illustrated something of the man whose title of "Pathfinder" proudly flies on today and into the future as it fronts the Airport's latest venture, the "Pathfinder Cafe". A venue where its name is so much more than just a name across the door..
Tomorrow "POTD" turns toward 'tomorrow's skies' and how technology might shape their occupants...
PB
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Post by PB on Oct 26, 2021 6:45:01 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 26/10/21Today's rather grainy Forum 'header' photo goes back in time to days when Blackbushe was 100% intact and numerous airlines called her home. South of the A30, now an abandoned no man's land, was home to Silver City/Britavia at the east end and Eagle Airways at the west end. Both served by large wartime hangars, no less than five Eagle Vikings and a Bristol Freighter pose for the distant 'west end' image plus one of the many nissen huts that could no doubt tell many a tale from their wartime origins. Travelling down the 2 miles of A30 that crossed Blackbushe the sight of many aircraft on both sides of the road was just a part of life back then. Travelling the same length of road today is a very different experience, but nonetheless enjoyable at the sight of many light aircraft on 'the other side of hedge', plus the increased chance of catching business jets on her apron...The past and Blackbushe are closely associated, but today the future is of a more pressing concern. We can but hope the sixty years now past of political torment that have prevented the airfield providing the General Aviation facilities and opportunities needed will in due course become history, a broad and exciting future awaits in prospect as technology and aviation step forward together
"POTD" suggested recently that the future of eVTOL craft could well play a part in the life of rural airports such as Blackbushe.. Stepping from business jet to waiting eVTOL for that final whisk to your business destination, or perhaps eVTOL ports at cities where their quiet and clean progress would dovetail with the move to a greener country.. The pace of eVTOL development work around the world suggests that it is highly likely this new form of air transport will take serious steps towards reality before too much longer.
Urban air mobility (UAM) company Volocopter completed the first public test flight of its VoloDrone all-electric, heavy-lift utility drone in Hamburg, Germany, this month. The flight carrying a Euro-pallet sized load demonstrated the feasibility of drone freight logistic capability, while on Sunday this week the press carried reports of Bristol based Vertical Aerospace in partnership with Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow are working on the concept of eVTOL links to the UK's premier airport...
Fast, safe, clean, quiet eVTOL links offer opportunities undreamed of for the future. The technology has advanced in 'leaps and bounds'... It would seem that not only would this form of transport knock significant time of journeys, electric air-taxi travel would also be less costly than taking a slow old-fashioned road taxi? Vertical’s VA-X4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle could operate from Heathrow by the mid-2020s.
Click the link below for an insight into a vertical future..vertical-aerospace.com/Meanwhile, Blackbushe carries her hopes and wishes for the future while we wait for progress regarding her future. Photos of Blackbushe from the air are always welcome, and our good friend Mike Biddulph caught several while holding overhead Blackbushe at the weekend. I'll put all that he sent before you... There she is, Blackbushe tends to stand out from the distance..So much history, so much opportunity....
PB
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Post by PB on Oct 27, 2021 6:36:27 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 27/10/21While thought goes into Blackbushe's 80th Anniversary Fly-In on 11 June next year, the memory slides back to the very early Fly-Ins around 1962/1963. They had the unique ability of turning a deserted old airfield into an airfield buzzing with activity - just for one day.The exact date escapes me, but early sixties. If you were not there you cannot imagine the joy of seeing so many (I counted eight on the ground at one point) aeroplanes gathered together on the old airport for a few precious hours. US Navy hangar 100% intact, and the entire apron remained intact too. Sadly, two thirds of it were 'out of bounds'..."Fly-Ins" in the 1950's were more substantial affairs!!Blackbushe Aero Club's Easter Fly-In, very early sixties. Gave visions of what it might be like if the Airport had so many resident aircraft they'd have to be parked out on the grass!! Numerous new Cessna 'all metal' designs contrasted with the more familiar canvas covered types. An amazing day for all concerned..The powerful Baron brought much interest and the kind of sounds not heard at Blackbushe for some while..Let's hope the weather's nice on 11 June, 2022!
PB
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Post by PB on Oct 28, 2021 6:51:22 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 28/10/21Reading the latest 'online' FLYER magazine for December 2021 Blackbushe Airport are once again offering a free landing deal via the magazine and strictly for FLYER Club members, this time for the month of December.
An article in the same edition of the digital FLYER magazine entitled, "Fairoaks keeps operating despite developer challenges" was a bit of an eye catcher. While some airfields in the south are under threat of becoming 'leafy garden suburbs' it's always disheartening when an historic aerodrome comes under threat of closure. The article goes on to read..
"Fairoaks Airport in Surrey is continuing to operate , with regular daily PC-12 flights, an active flight school and a loyal GA base of aircraft, despite the latest challenges posed by developers.
Westcore Europe, a property developer which has rights to some of the buildings at Fairoaks is reported as leasing the tower and some office and hangar space to a film set company already based at the airport.
Tower staff and and owners with aircraft in the hangar have been told to vacate by the end of February 2022, though we understand that negotiations are ongoing.
Fairoaks Airport lies within the Heathrow Class D airspace as well as under the London TMA so some form of tower is required by the CAA, it's also one of the few airports in the south with a hard runway and hangar space meaning it's going to be difficult for aircraft owners to relocate.
It appears the airport management is considering other ways to supply the tower function, possibly by erecting a temporary tower on the apron. FLYER has contacted Westcore Europe for a briefing on its pans for the airport, but nothing is so far forthcoming.
We also understand that the CAA's new Airport Advisory Team, set up by Secretary of State Grant Shapps has also been contacted."
With General Aviation prior to the Covid pandemic accounting for some £3billion towards the UK's GDP, and seemingly in reasonable health at the moment, it is always heart breaking to read of the possible demise of an airfield within the London commuter belt, especially where a hard runway and hangarage are available. It's nothing short of a miracle that Blackbushe has survived the onslaught of negative politics over the past six decades. While other airfields have felt the salivating jaws of developers and their 'leafy green suburb' campaigns, Blackbushe is one airfield that has not been, and is not, under any threat or proposal for development except as an aerodrome. I'm sure we all wish Fairoaks well in their campaign to stay flying, while at the same time we must hope that Blackbushe is eventually successful in her plans for new permanent hangars and associated General Aviation infrastructure... General Aviation airfields surrounding London are sparse enough as it is.Three images through the ages of Blackbushe below...Photo courtesy of Nathan Howland. The long history of Blackbushe. Wartime, Prince Bernhard - and dog - of the Netherlands at RAF Hartford Bridge (later RAF Blackbushe) gets briefed on the Spitfire. The Royal Netherlands Air Force flew from Blackbushe during the war, one of their duties at the time of D-Day being the patrolling of southern skies to ensure the Luftwaffe were kept at bay. Blackbushe in 1950. Although a developing commercial airport, Blackbushe always welcomed the lighter end of the aviation market. G-AAZP being a Puss Moth owned by Autoworks (Winchester) Ltd..Photo courtesy of John Varndell..Blackbushe in summer! Just a reminder as November prepares to sweep October out of the way, premises of Aerobility, Blackbushe Aviation and the Pathfinder Cafe. Ground operations taking the foreground..PB
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Post by PB on Oct 29, 2021 6:32:16 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 29/10/21Another couple of days and the clocks are back in their winter mode, the northern hemisphere goes back into its dark age for a few weeks while Halloween, Guy Fawkes and Christmas will either help or hinder our way through to spring. Winter seemed an eternity when I was younger, now it seems to pass quicker (just as life seems to) and in no time the evenings become noticeably lighter. Maybe the coming year will take steps toward Blackbushe moving forward if the Supreme Court proceedings take place, but the coming year offers one date wherein Blackbushe will be in celebratory mood, June 11th, the day we celebrate 80 years of aviation at the airfield by a Fly-In, BBQ, and entertainments on the ground.
Reading remains an excellent way of passing long winter evenings, and if Blackbushe is a subject you'd like to learn more of there are plenty of literary works you could pursue. Our own Robert Belcher's "Blackbushe, London's Lost Airport" available online from the Blackbushe Airport website, there are titles relating to AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett, such as "Master Airman" a biography of AVM Bennett by Alan Bramson by Airlife Publishing, "Lorraine Squadron" by Paul Lambermont detailing the Free French Air Force's operations including their time at RAF Hartford Bridge published by Cassell and Company, or a book recently brought to my attention my Brian Simpson one of the RAF crew who operated FIDO at Blackbushe and that is "Flying Through Fire" by Geoffrey Williams and Alan Sutton Publishing... All excellent reads and fuel for our knowledge bank on Blackbushe Airport and her amazing and varied history packed into an 80 year old story...Photo courtesy of David Payne. Depending on our age and involvement with Blackbushe, each and every one of us will have a differing perspective on the airfield and as to how we see her. There's still plenty left who will remember the busy civil/military days of the 1950's when the full sized Blackbushe was "The Happy Airport" to many who worked here at the time, while from the sixties memories are of an altogether different perspective as the airfield was closed and ripped apart. The long and winding road to the Blackbushe most of us wish for has been an arduous passage from the sixties, but I guess those who only have gotten to know Blackbushe during the past few years while under today's ownership will have recall reflecting a well run and reasonably busy airfield, not the wasteland that confronted some of us back in the dark days of the 1960's?Yesterday was a perfect example of Blackbushe 'today'. Meeting a group of colleagues from a 'previous life' for breakfast at the "Pathfinder Cafe" the entire Blackbushe scene was one of action and activity. Car park very full as is not unusual, the "Pathfinder Cafe" doing a roaring trade as customers placed their orders at the till counter before taking their seats to await their meals being delivered directly to their table. Very efficient! Outside, the excellent Airport views again reflected activity as aircraft were in the circuit, refuelling, taxiing, running up, or being pre-flighted.. Sitting enjoying breakfast, good company, the activity the "Pathfinder" Cafe's views afford brought back so many memories of days gone by. The sixties bereft of pretty much anything, and so many subsequent years where Blackbushe's story has been slow and painful but nonetheless miraculous. Miraculous that despite certain anti-airport activity by some including local politics, the airfield has survived to the point where she is humming with life and activity, and at least one person having breakfast at the "Pathfinder" was consumed by a deep feeling of satisfaction as a delicious breakfast found the spot combined with so many memories that have had sixty years to form.
Sadly, there are many 'missing' people who formed those early days who will never see how the barren windswept Blackbushe of the sixties has matured. Their absence continues to be saddening to the extreme and I miss them every time I set foot on the old airfield, but I'm just grateful that my eyes are still able to see the airfield today, reflect on the many yesterday's and hope for the days to come when Blackbushe will truly be able to show what she can do as a fully developed General Aviation heaven... Dark days of the sixties. Hope for the future never waned as the local authority ripped up the eastern end of the airfield. You can see the feint line running north to south of the now relocated Vigo Lane east of which was determined as Council owned and would be destroyed. A few hundred feet spared of that main runway might have saved lives lost a few years ago and there would still be a very large area of open space left for the recreational facilities promised fifty plus years ago.... The apron is some half way through the destruction phase, but its easy to see how big it once was vv what is left today. What you can see in the photo is the little square building west of the Terminal, it was the new Three Counties Aero Club building back in 1963, the structure that today is home to the brilliant "Pathfinder Cafe". A premises full of good food and abundant memories.. Bright days of the 'twenties'.. What a contrast! The airfield is home to masses of light aircraft, busy flying schools, and increasingly used by business jet operators who realise the value of such a well placed and affordable facility.Here's to the future!!
PB
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Post by PB on Oct 30, 2021 6:39:40 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 30/10/21Here we are on the eve, the eve of COP26 and Halloween, spooks take their chances against climate activists, activists glue themselves to our major roads, the BBC self ignite with indignation after the Budget while Glasgow does not have sufficient charging points for the electric vehicles gathered to demonstrate how green we all should be... Greta has not been invited to Glasgow, but the BBC have given her prime time on their News reports, while upset hit the BBC News room at the Chancellors welcome reduction of UK domestic Air Passenger Duty. The Beeb immediately claimed the Government are anti-green, as a result the broadcaster seemingly became several steps nearer to self combustion and contributing to further climate gases themselves.. Domestic APD had been out of sync with such levies on long haul air travel, it has now been increased on long haul flights while becoming proportionately less for helping with our UK domestic connectivity. The real shame is that the Government could not support FlyBe when our major UK domestic airlink was allowed to become broken beyond redemption..
Aviation remains a minor player in global CO2 production, but will no doubt get a major share of the activists furore over the coming days? Meanwhile the Covid resurgence continues, the ZOE study report today indicates that our Hart District currently has 1,765 active Covid cases - up some 212 cases from this time last week. The "POTD" editorial third booster jab should be kicking in about now, and one will be dining out tonight on the strength of it..
A backward glance to yesteryear shows that on this day in 1909 John Moore-Brabazon flew the first circular mile using a Short Brothers biplane and consequently won a prize of £1,000 offered by the Daily Mail to the first aviator to accomplish such an achievement... What a wonder the activity at airfields like Blackbushe today would have seemed had pioneers of so long ago been able to visualise the future?
In 1979 on this day the legendary Sir Barnes Wallis passed away.
However, on this day of this year Blackbushe Airport happily flies on providing an affordable and valuable resource for General Aviation be it passengers in transit, new pilots in training providing future air crew resource for the airlines, electricity power line surveillance flights, medical and human organ transport, Aerobility's amazing work whereby freedom and self achievement has been given to so many who have disability, or the simple pleasure enjoyed by many of just standing and watching the Airport's daily aviation activity backed up, of course, by refreshment from the Airport's "Pathfinder Cafe"..
Just the one image for POTD today.. OO-XAE Short Stirling V in July, 1948. Pending delivery to the Egyptian Air Force, serial number PK181 whilst with the Royal Air Force. The photo gives an excellent impression of how the scene today would be from the Terminal/apron area if the Council's eastern end of the airfield had not been allowed to become so overgrown. The original Blackbushe Control Tower was still a long way from receiving the glass VCR that eventually became its crowning glory. Enjoy the weekend... PB
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Post by PB on Oct 31, 2021 7:18:59 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 31/10/21Time remains an ever present mystery, seemingly becoming an ever more puzzling enigma the older you get... Surely it was Spring just a minute ago, but already the clocks have made their quantum shift back into GMT, no longer two different times at the same time... I've been reading up on quantum physics and how particles can be in two places at the same time. No, I don't understand the detail, or much else, but there's some very odd things going on in the world of the very very small! It does not take a scientist to work out that we'll soon enough be back in BST, but what we'd really like to know is when BST returns will the Blackbushe enigma have been solved or even be a step nearer to resolution? It would be good to get some light on the situation...
Meanwhile it's handy having an extra hour to extend the day, the body clock still showing an affinity with BST. Seems a long time since life was one endless time zone transit, minus lots one trip, plus loads the next, but it was a living. Days when you worked all day and arrived far away in Alaska where it was still early in the morning were interesting. But, through all of life's adventures there has been that one underlining aspect, and that is poor old Blackbushe Airport and the dire circumstances that have held her back from becoming fully fledged once more. Fully fledged as a General Aviation centre that caters for all aspects of GA, from basic pilot training to quality handling and facilities for business flying with all the aids necessary too.. Come the Spring it will be five years since this the Press Day prior to Blackbushe's 75th Anniversary event in July 2017.. Time flies!BBC South were here to cover the proceedings. We took Joe Campbell for a spin in the Army Historic Flight Scout while a number of us were on TV soon after!A day not without emotion, a number of the Hungarian refugees who escaped to England after the Russian invasion in 1956 came back to Blackbushe to see where they first set foot on UK soil. They were children back then and arrived courtesy of Blackbushe based Eagle Airways who laid on a number of rescue flights at no cost. Come the July event we flew them from Blackbushe once more, not in a Viking but the Catalina..Scrumptious 'Blackbushe 75' cup cakes helped our media guests digest the event in more ways than one...Before we know it, it'll be June and celebrating Blackbushe's 80th year of operations with our Fly-In and BBQ, for now the "POTD" editorial team can wish you nothing more than a "Happy" Halloween...
See you tomorrow ??
PB
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Post by PB on Nov 1, 2021 7:23:09 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 01/11/21Anybody who travelled the A30's two miles stretch that spanned between Blackbushe's east and west ends during her days as a big player in the London airport scene could not help but be moved by the Forum's current header photo, one of the numerous excellent photos Rob Belcher has contributed over the past few years.As many aircraft did, RAF Lancaster SW293 sits close to the A30 giving passers by - or those who stopped and marvelled - a unique close up of active service aircraft. SW293 arrived on 05/09/55 from RAF St Mawgan's School of Maritime Reconnaissance, Farnborough Week at the time accounting for the row of RAF Ansons on the right hand side..Back in the day, it was nothing unusual to see aircraft like this near the road. I was nine at the time and transits down the A30 were limited to when trips with my Dad included stopping by the A30 - as one could then - to take in the sights of old Blackbushe. Looking back now there was something utterly captivating about this place when it took in both sides of the A30 while hangars, the Terminal area complex, Control Tower etc etc combined with so many aircraft of all shapes and sizes to create what now retrospectively feels like some kind of a dream. Thank heavens the dream is still alive in my mind, partially alive in reality.Another long ago visitor more akin to present day Blackbushe. This PA-23 was on a delivery flight, seemingly a very long one, captured long ago on 23rd May, 1957.. This photo courtesy of Graham Jones.Blackbushe, of course, had her own home based Lancaster. Operated by Eagle Airways on behalf of the Ministry of Supply, NX739 was very much a part of the Blackbushe scene from 1954 to 1957. An RAF Lancaster in wartime decor was always a glorious sight amid the white topped airliners that kept her company. That's November started... hopefully back tomorrow. PB
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