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Post by PB on Apr 12, 2022 5:06:34 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 12/04/22Is the cold war coming back with a thick layer of ice on it, is the 'iron curtain' going to be drawn again with not a chink of light escaping as Russia's acts of unspeakable depravity hit us with every new news bulletin? Sadly the autocrat in the Kremlin has changed world order, if there are history books written of this era - and the future - we can but wonder at their content?
Talking of history and Russia, today has significance. On 12th April, 1961, Yuri Gagarin made the first human space flight in Vostok 1 - once round the Earth in 108 minutes. Some years earlier the Russians claimed another rung in the space race ladder when in October 1957 Sputnik was placed into Earth orbit, the very first man made satellite and well I can recall the radio news coverage as the "beeps" from this metal football beeped down to the humans below. Earth orbit traffic has increased somewhat since then. Following the tragic loss of my dear friend Roger Russell his Mum wanted me to have all his aviation belongings. These included a number of photos from Blackbushe in the fifties including this one of CCCP-01802, Aeroflot's IL-12 that diverted from Heathrow due weather on 19 December, 1955. The crew refused to leave the aircraft until Russian diplomats arrived from London. What levels of brain washing would have lead to that situation? Casting our vision back to the last World War and the need to build new airfields for what was to come, here's the next installment of our recent daily trips to the forties when Blackbushe airfield was being brought into existence from the many acres of unused scrub that spread across Hartford Bridge Flats..." AUGUST 1942..
It was on the 11th that a section of the Aero Airborne Flight, as it was known, moved in from Farnborough to a very incomplete airfield under the command of Flt Lt W D Davie. Not only were the runways incomplete but construction traffic was constantly moving about all over the airfield paying scant regard to aircraft movements. [Reminds me of the early sixties when Joe Public had similar scant regard and drove all over the airfield regardless. Ed] The Flight originally arrived with two Airspeed Horsa gliders and two Whitley tugs and commenced trials flying. It wasn't long before Sqn Leader Hayter flew in from Farnborough in Magister L5965 to see how the move was progressing. Additional Horsas and tugs arrived and as time went by and test flying intensified General Aircraft Hamilcar and Waco Hadrian gliders were added to those types already under evaluation.Another thin slice of Blackbushe history tomorrow as the problems associated with moving into a brand new airfield became obvious..
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 13, 2022 6:46:07 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 13/04/22Fifty nine days, the countdown to 'Blackbushe 80' continues, the work involved continues. Having spent months writing to the owners of aeroplanes that are not usually seen in the Blackbushe traffic pattern, or are of historic value and would suit our 'static aircraft park' the emails and letters continue to be sent on their way. Sadly some of the aeroplanes that have graced our previous anniversaries are no longer in flying condition, the Pembroke and Anson being examples. However, one Anson lost equals another Anson gained, but Pembroke wise not much I can do. The Dakota has been another sticky point, our regular Dak is not flying this year. With some ninety aircraft booked for the day we should not be short of flying machinery, but if you own an aeroplane you'd like to show in our static park, or know anyone or know of any unusual aircraft that you think would be right for our June celebrations please let me know today!! PM me on the Forum or leave a note in the POTD 'comments' department, be good to hear from you.................. Thanks in advance!!
Looking at aviation's history book opened for this day, 13th April 1966, we see a great day over in Seattle as Boeing announced an order worth $525 million for 25 of their new 747 aeroplanes from Pan American. 56 years later the 747 story is all but over, vapour trails with a 747 at the front are invariably freighter versions. Huge fuel efficient engines drive the twin engined heavies of today, those near six decades since the 747 grabbed the world have seen many changes. Throughout all the years of advancement, 56 years since the 747 appeared, space flight, and technological advancement, dear old Blackbushe has remained under the oppressive foot of local politics and ancient laws tragically unable to mature into the General Aviation centre that she so much wants to be and is so perfectly suited to be. Another of Roger Russell's collection of photos passed on to me by his Mum. OO-XAE , a Short Stirling photographed in 1947/48. Delivered to the Egyptian Air Force in July, 1948. The Blackbushe Tower in the background long before receiving her shiny new glass VCR. The unobstructed view to the eastern horizon is plain to see...Continuing the birth of Blackbushe story from Stuart Marshall's writing, it's sad that much of POTD's content is provided from my very dearest of friends who are no longer with us. Perpetuating their memory, their assistance with images and memories at least keeps them alive in my mind and memories.We continue from Airborne Aero Flight had moved into the very new and incomplete RAF Hartford Bridge... "The Flight had all types of trouble intially and had to supply many items for its own needs including motor transport fuel, aerodrome guards, medical and fire services, plus food and accommodation for its flight and ground crews.
Martin Dilley remembered going up to the airfield as a young child to pick blackberries with his mother . They cycled up from Eversley where they lived and his mother he recalled would often have a Kilner jar of milk in the saddle bag, not to drink but to turn into butter as they bounced their way to and from the 'new' airfield. The used to just walk in off the A30 leaving their bicycles (his had wooden block pedals so as he could reach them) near the hedge and helping themselves to the plentiful supplies of fruit. He was shown around the gliders and tugs by the aircraft crews and recalled a line-up of three gliders and their Whitley. There was always the very distinctive smells of dope from the glider fabric and aviation fuel when near the aircraft. Only three gliders were kept at the airfield at any one time as it was felt that leaving them out in all weathers would not do them much good. [Ed. 80 years later and aircraft still have to stand out in all weathers]. Additional aircraft were flown in daily depending on what trials were to be undertaken. Martin was later shown around other aircraft by the flight crews and these included Mosquitos, a Mitchell bomber, Dakotas and a Short Stirling long range bomber in which he was given a ride as it taxied a short way.
It was agreed that the airfield should be considered a satellite of RAE Farnborough until it was full opened and on completion it would become a satellite of RAF Odiham".There you go, another step into the past. Could someone, anyone, let me know if these daily extracts from the past are of interest. Thanks.
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 14, 2022 5:44:58 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 14/04/2205.28, another day about to offer what ever it may. First intake of fresh air having transited the front door and it's unlocking procedures was accompanied by a distinctly higher OAT than of recent accompanied by the crescendo of an incredible dawn chorus, the feathered soloist offering eerie and repetitive hooting as a nearby owl added to nature's start to the day. Nature's wonders, but why do they do it?
If we look back in time to this day in 1906, not that many of us have direct recall of the date, global history was possibly given a nudge. The aeroplane was yet to make advancement into military consideration, but on 14 April, 1906, in Dayton, Ohio, the Wright Brothers took a step toward the military. They wrote letters to the German, Italian, Japanese and Russian ministers of war offering to sell their aeroplane. From the marketing point of view a sound move... I note that the world's first 'military aeroplane' was the Wright Military Flyer. Built by Wilbur and Orville this machine was sold to the US Army Signals Corp in July 1909. By 2022 military hardware has advanced somewhat.'56538', an example of military use of Blackbushe Airport in peacetime from Roger Russell's collection. Blackbushe, home to the US Navy's only UK land base, provided years of entertainment as US military operations dove tailed with the rapidly growing commercial airline traffic that grew from this natural airport.. 56538, a Douglas R5D-3 would have been seen at Blackbushe on many occasions between the spring of 1956 and the autumn of 1958. Sadly the area of north east Blackbushe that was home to the US Navy and also the RAF accommodation, entertainment and messes during WW2 was obliterated by local politics, a large slice of Yateley's - and national - history lost for all time. Back to history, and our continuing account of Blackbushe's earliest of days according to the word of Stuart Marshall.. The Aero Flight from RAE Farnborough were in the process of setting up their operation at the very new and still incomplete aerodrome that would be known as Blackbushe in the future, but for now was RAF Hartford Bridge."The Commanding Officer at Farnborough at that time was then able to equip with such items as bedding, feeding equipment and rations which permitted the flight to move into 'Eleven Acres House' in Yateley. This building had been requisitioned to form a temporary barracks as no billeting facilities existed at the airfield itself at the time. A smaller property, 'Much Common' was alos acquired to provid much needed office accommodation.
It was extraordinary that between 11 and 24 August, 39 hours 40 minutes of flying was accomplished , bearing in mind the state of the incomplete airfield from which the flying was taking place.
There were some twenty five Airborne Aero personnel based at the airfield at this time and others paid regular visits from the offices and workshops at Farnborough, where most of the engineering work was carried out. Soon a further 21 airmen arrived and they were also billeted at 'Eleven Acres'. The flying that was undertaken at the airfield proved popular with the Flight as there was a lot more free airspace than was available at their former base. Most if the Flight's development flying would take place at Hartford Bridge before their return to Farnborough in 1943".Tomorrow, the autumn of '42
Today, that's it...
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 15, 2022 6:33:30 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 15/04/22Looks like early summer type weather today? The bug has subsided, and just 57 days to Blackbushe 80.
Some prospective volunteers have come forward to assist with the 11 June event, still time if you're interested in being part of the day, but we won't be needing quite so many this year as prime duties have been contracted out to other parties. If you're interested send me a PM or leave a note in the POTD 'comments' section. Otherwise, get your tickets in good time, they are limited in numbers due to space constraints. Currently, some ninety plus aircraft are booked for the day with a significant number of the more unusual types allocated to the Static Exhibition area.A moment from the 75th.. It's hard to believe five years have slipped by and now the 80th will soon be upon us...It was actually in November, 1942, that RAF Hartford Bridge became officially operational. Our daily look back into those far of days, thanks to Stuart Marshall's work, is resumed in October, 1942..."Group Captain Wheeler flew in to visit the Flight on 11th November using a Magister, L5965, and on the 17th a Lockheed Hudson visited the airfield from RAE Farnborough Some of the most interesting trials from a spectator point of view would have been the steep descent trials carried out on the Hotspur gliders. The intention was to release the glider from 3000ft in the vicinity of the airfield and then deploy a seven-foot diameter drogue parachute from the rear of the glider. RAE Observer Doreen Howell recalled that the near vertical 8000ft per minute descent was very spectacular and was designed to give German ground forces a much reduced time to shoot at the gliders before they landed, but there were problems. One of the trials ended in tragedy on 31st October 1942 when one of the gliders thought to be Hotspur BT615 failed to pull out of the dive early enough and hit the runway in what was described as an extremely hard landing and broke up. There were two crew members aboard, David Horner, a RAE Observer who was thrown out thrown out if the wreckage and killed, while the other crew member who was similarly ejected from the glider landed on the grass, receiving serious injuries. Doreen had been flying aboard one of the Whitley tugs and saw the results of the accident after they landed. The trials also proved that the stresses being put on the glider airframes by this type of descent and recovery were particularly high and damage was being caused to the tailplanes of the aircraft"Nearly ready, the brand new Blackbushe to be at some point prior to opening in November, 1942.The courage and the consequences of test flying, the airfields first accident and first fatal flying accident.A Hotspur that would never fly again.. photos courtesy of Rob Belcher.Onwards and upwards, we look forward to the 80th in June, but also the prospects for further steps toward the goal of a newly restored airfield emerging as the 'Battle for Blackbushe' flies on.....and believe me - it does!!!
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 16, 2022 6:10:08 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 16/04/22Easter weekend, 2022. Looking back as far as the grey cells will allow, Easter weekend can be a highly variable feast so far as the weather is concerned. Snow has been a feature, back in the early sixties a USAF C-47 dropped in to collect a para team. Snow and a Dakota were both unexpected on an Easter weekend, this year however, what a treat wall to wall sunshine and no doubt a few pink faces this morning as a consequence?
This morning's photo threesome are again from Roger Russell's photos received after the Invader accident, three images that totally typify life at Blackbushe before the decision to close her was taken...One of the Airwork Hermes resting on the apron between sorties. The photo capture the absolute neatness of old Blackbushe combined with the size of the airfield before the precious east end was taken over and massacred by those in authority at a local level..Why did the Prince cross the road? Percival Prince about to be towed across the A30 to Blackbushe 'south' and a rest between missions. G-AMLZ was Blackbushe based from 1956 until the Airport was closed in 1960, property of Stewart Smith & Co.An Eagle DC-6. Another in the Blackbushe 'long haul' armoury. Unless you've witnessed this magnificence in action, the sound and the sight of these beautiful aeroplanes enjoying the benefits of Blackbushe belongs to a very lucky group of people. One Saturday when I was 13 occupies a precious bit of my grey matter. Cycling up the A30 from Camberley toward Blackbushe, an Eagle DC-6 was on circuit training. Using 08 (as it was at the time) the sound of those take-off thrust departures and the vision of her climbing against a grey overcast sky will hopefully never be taken from me..Continuing the story of Blackbushe's early days as we have been doing for the past week...."November, 1942.....
On the 1st of the month the airfield was officially opened under the control of 70Group/35 Wing, Army Co-operation Command with Sqn Leader Houchin in command. It was to be known as either RAF Hartford Bridge or RAF Hartford Bridge Flats. The main technical site was to the north of the A30 at the south eastern end of the airfield and a control tower was built to the south of the main runway adjacent to the site. The tower was initially manned by one Air Traffic Controller and an assistant, with five Radio Telephony operators in a radio monitoring room. The first Controller to arrive was F/O Cole but S/Ldr Cannon, an Australian, arrived shortly afterwards and assumed control of the unit which was to continue to provide the air traffic service until the arrival of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1943.
By this time personnel were being accommodated in the newly erected communal site which was situated to the north east of the airfield in nissen hut buildings. Services were still far from complete and conditions were very difficult. There was for instance no electricity which meant that meals had to be cooked and eaten prior to dark or earlier to be in daylight.
As the advanced party from RAF Odiham moved in they took over the first sites to be erected apart from those being used by the hard pressed Aero Airborne Flight and were soon getting to work preparing for the arrival of the first squadron to be based at the airfield".As you walk around the overgrown wasteland that has become of Blackbushe's east end under local authority 'control', it's saddening that the scene of so much life, courage, and determination demonstrated during the war years in the community described above, was bulldozed and destroyed with not so much as an acknowledgement as to what happened, and who did so much, in the course of war leading to the tenuous peace we continue to enjoy today.. Hopefully, a museum will be opened someday on the present Blackbushe Airport once the battles with 'authority' have been won and due respect may be given to those who served here during the dark days of war.
Tomorrow a look at the end of '42.
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 17, 2022 6:06:13 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 17/04/2222,601 days ago Blackbushe Airport ceased to be an 'airport'....most of the time elapsed since then has witnessed the airfield straining at the lease to become a General Aviation centre whilst sat upon by varied forms of bureaucracy from parish council level upward to County Council level where large sums of public money have been flushed down the legal money drain and aeroplane operators have endured six decades of valued aircraft soaking up all manner of meteorology 'cos obviously nobody can be allowed to build hangars on an airfield! Just 55 days to go before we celebrate the Airport's 80th Anniversary, but one has to reflect on those past 22,601 days and the vast number of potential employment days that have been lost to local bureaucrats, the amount of money lost to the local economy due to bureaucratic intervention, the hopes and aspirations gone up in clouds of frustration 'cos certain parties would like to see the entire airfield turned into the wasteland that they have created on the Airport's east end grabbed by the County Council.
A long and sorrowful tale, but it has to be said the spirit of Blackbushe Airport prevails, a statement made obvious by the large number of aeroplanes now based here, her flourishing flying schools, the increasing business air traffic, and the fantastic success of the new Pathfinder Cafe where so many come together to enjoy great food, a delightful environment, and the spectacle of a small but well managed airport at work that continues to make the very best of what it is able to offer despite the bureaucratic knee in the groin served by 22,000 plus days of dystopia served up by those elected to serve Hampshire and her north-east reaches wherein the world of Blackbushe awaits!! On 1st June, 1960, the first day of the airport's death, who would have thought that some twenty two and a half thousand days later scenes like this would be gained on her apron? Certainly not in the mind of a certain schoolboy who alone with his trusty bike stood with tears running down his face at the sight of this most excellent airport, the second airport for London, as it was brutally destroyed by uncaring politics. Side by side, memories of yesterday, aspirations for tomorrow..Staying with our daily look into Blackbushe past and the birth of the airfield on Hampshire's Hartford Bridge Flats.. we move into December, 1942, the airfield had been operational for barely a month...... " December, 1942. 171 Squadron flying Curtiss Tomahawk and North American Mustang aircraft onto which they were converting arrived on 5th December, 1942, and spent much of the remainder of the month settling in.
January, 1943. The stay of 171 Squadron was to be short lived as on the 1st of the month the squadron disbanded to reform as 430 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force and moved out to RAF Dunsfold the following day using some of the ex 171 Squadron Tomahawks and Mustangs. The Tomahawks were MkIIs which still had the metric instrumentation compete with French script, the aircraft having been originally destined for the French Air Force. This was not helpful to the crews trying to convert onto type!
When Sqn Leader Lukey arrived on the 9th January to assume control of the airfield he found teh Aero Airborne Flight in residence and a flight of Bristol Blenheins from RAF Odiham. The partly completed airfield was slowly taking shape although here were still workmen levelling the surface and generally tidying up prior to their departure. Most of the dispersals and construction of hangars were by now complete but work was still underway to complete the nissen hut accommodation. By the middle of the month aircraft movements consisted mainly of Blenheims from RAF Odiham and an interesting collection of types from Farnborough all of which were controlled by RAF controllers working in their newly constructed control tower which was beginning to develop certain problems. The building had been erected with considerable speed and with few materials available to the contractors. Green wood had been used for instance for the floors and boards were shrinking as the wood dried out, leaving wide gaps...". Finally, recalling the Airport's civil days in the fifties.. An Eagle Viking. If the Blackbushe Heritage Trust are successful there may well be a sight such as this back at Blackbushe in the future. A page in the Airport's incredible history book that could be left open for all to see and experience what was so much an everyday sight before the 22,601 days that have elapsed since Blackbushe Airport was closed by HM Government.PB
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Post by PB on Apr 18, 2022 5:43:57 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 18/04/22Easter Monday, weather looks good for the day. A time of year when weather can be variable, I recall one Easter weekend when a USAF Dakota dropped in to collect a parachute team, way back in the sixties - snow showers were adding to the day's fun.
Staying in the past, continuing our account of life at RAF Hartford Bridge in the very early days, today we travel back to March, 1943. the airfield having now been open for three months..."March 1943
The builder of the control tower was hurriedly summoned back to undertake repairs which were considered to be urgently required. There was also concern being expressed regarding the positioning of the bomb dump deep in the forest to the north west of the main airfield and this was subject of a meeting held on 10th March. It was felt that there was a considerable risk due to the possibility of fire breaking out and it proving impossible to bring it under control before the bomb dump was reached.
By the time 140 Squadron arrived on the 12th the A30 was being closed from dawn to dusk on a regular basis when flying was taking place, at the discretion of the duty Flying Control Officer. 140 Squadron brought with it Blenheims although they were never operational at the airfield as the squadron soon received Supermarine Spitfires and Lockheed Venturas to undertake their photo reconnaissance role. The squadron was under command of Wing Commander Le Mesurier and was engaged in the photo mapping of France and the Low Countries. The Venturas were equipped with the night flash illumination system and the squadron also had call on a number of similarly equipped Wellington bombers for night time operations.
During the month work was continuing and earth covered surface shelters were being constructed near to partially-completed nissen huts on the common in front of the Cricketers pub in Cricket Hill, Yateley. Unfortunately the completion was put back somewhat by a severe gale which blew away a considerable number of the corrugated iron sheets being used in the building. The weather was generally being unhelpful in the efforts to complete the building of the airfield."Happily, this Easter weekend the weather is being much more considerate 79 years later..Down the west end..our old lock-up hangars and Doug Arnold's Lysander....and up the east end..one of Doug's Spitfires. One wonders how the Blackbushe warbird museum would have developed had he been granted planning permission for its structure. Another asset lost to local politics.Have a great day..
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 19, 2022 7:54:31 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 19/04/2253 days to Blackbushe's 80th Anniversary celebrations...time to start whatever rituals you find provide sunshine when most needed it!
A couple of first flights were carried out on this day, 19th April.... in 1952 the Sea Venom first took to the skies, a number of which visited Blackbushe usually during Farnborough Weeks in the fifties. Also on this day in 1956 the Supermarine Scimitar first took flight. Only one example of the Scimitar arriving at Blackbushe is recorded and that was 23rd February, 1960, on a lorry... Just the one photo today, rather how "POTD" was envisaged years ago before the daily keyboard rattling started..one daily photo. A USAF C-54 taxies across the extensive Blackbushe apron. In the background the US Navy base, the only US Navy land base in the UK, showing their very large hangar, another Douglas transport tucked in the entrance and what looks like a Super Dakota parked on the pans that served the northern taxiway long ago.Continuing our daily recall from Blackbushe's very young day..very briefly,May, 1943...
"On the 8th of the month Mosquito DD748 of the Wireless Evaluation Flight at Farnborough arrived to carry out impulse signal trials.
No. 7 Mobile Field Photographic unit arrived to support 140 Squadron. This unit was fully mobile and was equipped with Brownhall articulated trailers which accommodated the photographic developing and printing sections which were to handle the films brought back by the squadron aircraft". Thanks, as always, to Stuart Marshall for his historic recall from the early days.
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 20, 2022 10:01:57 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 20/04/22Better late than never, severe headwinds today!Another photo from Roger Russell's collection. Such a regular site at Blackbushe in the fifties, if all goes well with the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's endeavours to recover a Viking to Blackbushe, it might be a regular site once again...Back to the saga of Blackbushe's very early days from the words of Stuart Marshall..."June 1943.
On 20th June 140 Squadron undertook its first operation from the airfield when flares were dropped over the Cherbourg peninsular by their aircraft. As more and more ground equipment arrived on the airfield, hangars, sleeping quarters, flight dispersals and stores were being handed over for use as they were completed. It was by now a common sight to see Bedford QM fuel bowsers refuelling aircraft as tghey returned from flying duties" Tomorrow more on the variety of flying machinery that arrived at RAF Hartford Bridge in June of 1943.Eagle were nothing if not bold in the variety of colour schemes applied to their aircraft. Here's one of the less frequently seen versions..Back tomorrow at the usual time..
PB
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Post by PB on Apr 21, 2022 7:42:22 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 21/04/22Just FIFTY ONE DAYS to Blackbushe's 80th Anniversary Fly-In and Open Day!!!
Grateful thanks to those who have added their names to the 'volunteer list'...you will be hearing more in due course. No doubt there'll be call for your services before and after the event as well as on the day..
Four more photos from Roger Russell's collection this morning, tomorrow continuing the early Blackbushe story when Mustangs and Lysanders moved in..some thirty plus years before Doug Arnold's Blackbushe Airport hosted the same types! It's now some 40 plus years since Doug's warbirds were to make the airfield their home. Time is a strange beast.. Sixty-two years since Blackbushe was closed, sixty years of the political turbulence that has prevented this valuable aviation asset from becoming a viable aviation asset. Stay focused on the future, the Blackbushe story is far from over..Roger's Alitalia S.M 95. I'm not sure this was taken at Blackbushe, but a great example of post war multi engined transport.Ex Britavia Sea Otter ready for a substantial 1949 delivery flight to the Burmese military. Other similar aircraft were scrapped by Britavia, a sad reflection on the value of war veterans once conflict was over.Another survivor of the war from whom some uses were found in cargo work. Handley Page Halton, peaceful adaptation of the Halifax bomber.Dear old G-AMPY. Dakotas are hard to find nowadays should you be hoping to have one join an Airport anniversary event. G-AMPY seen here in 1958/9 when she served with Starways and frequented Blackbushe on a number of occasions. Understand she is still 'active'?Thanks to Roger for today's photos although sadly he won't know of their use this morning..
PB
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