PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
01/07/22

July, the downhill side of the year, even heard the C word yesterday, Christmas.... Let's hope that the next six months include some really decent summer weather, less news of politicians who have trouble controlling themselves, an end to the orchestrated strike actions to bring us and our nation to the knees, big steps toward returning our Viking to Blackbushe, and for Blackbushe to receive the common sense she has searched for for six decades and once and for all for the law and politicians to appreciate the value of the airfield they have persecuted for over 22,500 days. Some of us are getting 'older' and would hate to miss the triumphant day when those cherished new hangars have their first footings sunk into the hallowed turf of Blackbushe Airport. Please.

"POTD" has enjoyed over 44,500 visits since 1st January this year, so thank you to whoever it is that is so active, it would be rather rewarding to hear a little more from our members, but the 'likes' from the few who are kind enough to bestow these symbols of modern techno comms are always greatly appreciated.

So, what are you doing this month? What you should be doing is earmarking 29th July and joining the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's meeting to learn what's happening with the Viking project and what YOU can do toward securing this piece of British aviation heritage for generations to come. Join us and feel the responsibility...




The way we were when six runways were available...Three Counties Aero Cub's Auster V G-ANIS on final to runway 32. Late sixties, the US Navy hangar still reminded of Blackbushe's glory days and the Airport's east end under the unfortunate management of our local authority was still in the early days of turning into the wasteland we are forced to look at, through, or from above on a daily basis.



I did recently pose the question as to whether POTD readers/viewers wished continuation of Stuart's accounts from WW2. As yet only one response...it's unique history with accounts from those who were there!

Have a nice July, and see you on 29th at Blackbushe's fabulous Pathfinder Cafe! 7pm...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
02/07/22

Saturday! Still sounds good despite a significant passage of time having elapsed since Friday evenings were those evenings when two days of R&R lay ahead..sun is shining and later a sortie to the aerodrome 'on the plateau' awaits. Life is good despite the too rapid passage of time, another month of pre-cancer skin treatment that will soon feel like eggs frying on my head, and the crows, the flaming crows!! Why do they insist on sitting, flying, hopping, and crowing their deep throated racket outside my window from around 05.15 every morning?? They're big blighters too, wouldn't fancy a peck somewhere delicate from a screeching feathered banshee that looks big enough to provide a family lunch..

Meanwhile, watching a documentary on Channel 5 last night on the Lancaster I was dismayed that they failed to mention the Pathfinder force whose intervention increased accuracy dramatically and in doing so saved many lives and brought the war's end closer than would otherwise have been the case. Nonetheless, the images of war are still as unsavoury as ever, they make it that more hard to comprehend that the Russians are daily killing innocent civilians in Ukraine with cruise missiles and shelling, attacks backed up by Russian lies. The UK had undergone a wicked and widespread onslaught during WW2, but we must surely feel grossly uncomfortable that today, everyday, children and innocent families are being relentlessly bombed by a crazed tyrant and his cronies locked safely within the air conditioned germ free sanctuary of the Kremlin. Let us hope that justice is served in a timely fashion..

Meanwhile, back at Blackbushe we must hope that justice is also served before long, and those past sixty years of stalemate and bureaucratic blocking can be put behind us. Sixty years that can never be recaptured sadly, but I think we've extracted a fair degree of enjoyment from Blackbushe whilst trapped in her state of political limbo.




Extracting fun from Blackbushe..back in '77




More fun!




Even more fun..




Air shows were such fun!




..and although its 2022 and men in suits, OK persons in suits, have placed their stuffy blankets over having 'max fun' we can still extract enjoyment from Blackbushe, and hopefully will continue to do despite local bureaucracy and the suited persons who think that blocking air show activity is a clever and bold thing to do...




We may be eighty, Blackbushe ie, but could not pass the moment without a celebration - and more fun - wherein some shapes returned with their wonderful sounds and memories of brave and heroic days when as an RAF station Blackbushe served the nation with courage, determination, and sacrifice.




In the sixty years just passed we've laughed, we've celebrated, we've cried, and we've watched in disbelief as elected members of our society voted to inflict this carnage on beautiful Blackbushe - and to what gain?



Enjoy the weekend, pop into the Pathfinder and give a thought to those who have fought for Blackbushe and those who fought for our freedom from Blackbushe...

Enjoy the weekend, next week POTD will resume extracts from Stuart Marshalls "The Wartime Years". Thank you to those who have made contact expressing a wish for Stuart's work to continue to be shared, it gives me a lot of pleasure feeling that Stuart and I are once more working together. As we are.


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
03/07/22


On this day in 1920 the first of the Royal Air Force Pageants took place at Hendon aerodrome. Of course, in those day aviation was still an occupation for daring young men in their flying machines and attracted very considerable audiences all of whom arrived in black cars as that was the generally available colour scheme. In 2017 Blackbushe Airport celebrated her 75th on July 1st and 2nd, minus the daring aerobatics performed at Hendon, but nontheless something of the pageant atmosphere as guests mingled with pilots and their aeroplanes, live 1940s singing to build the atmosphere, choirs, dancing, etc etc... Back in June we marked the Airport's 80th with another gathering of aeroplanes and exhibits. I still feel the "Pageant" atmosphere has a place where aviation and a garden party join up as the history books of aviation are brought to life. With it's unique location Blackbushe is still the very best of places to hold such an event, but due to space limitations, common land and local pressures that have threatened the Airport's success for so long it might be a non-starter? The 1977 Air Festival enjoyed the area north of the main runway which was perfect in all respects, but sadly that too has become a wilderness in its own rights. However, in June it was proven that an event with planned limited attendance works well, maybe something like an annual "Three Counties Air Pageant" might get the headlines and become a significant date in the annual aviation calendar? Just musing, where was I.... Of course, there's always the possibility that one day Blackbushe Airport might find itself able to build the long waited much needed new infrastructure in which case a very different form of celebration will be called for




1962..Blackbushe's first post closure event, the Great Reopening Air Display.




An early event, the Spartan Arrow handled by members of the Blackbushe Aviation Group. Note the airfield bereft of all structures, just the Nissen hut visible to the west end wherein Len Webb kept his Hornet Moth. Numerals were painted on all six runways!!The airfield was on its way to becoming taken over by weeds and scrub as has happened in too many places today..




1965, Three Counties Aero Club Air Display..




1968, The Daily Telegraph St Johns Ambulance Air Display




"Barnstormers Air Shows"..late sixties and early seventies..




Blackbushe Air Festivals, 1976 and 1977..




Great Blackbushe Aviators' Weekends, 1987 and 1988. Richard Noble presenting prizes at the close of the 1988 event.




Blackbushe "50th", 1992




Blackbushe "75th", 2017..




Blackbushe "80th", 2022...



A few memories unfurled on this sunny Sunday morning.. so many memories!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day
04/07/22

Happy 'Independence Day' United States of America...

A piece of Blackbushe was once US 'territory' as the Navy built their vast hangar, they even had public open days where visitors could inspect their aircraft at close quarters and hangar parties where the air truly rocked to the sound of American swing bands and the resident American families were truly a part of life in Yateley the then small village to the north of the airfield...The closure of Blackbushe in May, 1960, was to demonstrate markedly how the airfield contributed to the local economy.




United Sates Navy, Blackbushe Airport, main entrance!




A little more of the US complex with a couple of Neptunes on dispersal.








So far as hangars built in the UK were concerned, the US Navy hangar was a Colossus, a Navy Dakota is dwarfed, two Super Constellations fitted without problems..




Housing accommodation being built for the pending US military families.




As with every US military air base in the UK, once you step aboard it's like being in the USA. Having spent many hours at US air bases across the UK I can guarantee it's true. Going into and out of the air base gates is quite the international experience. Sadly, I was far too young to experience this with the US Navy at Blackbushe.



Stepping back to military activity at Blackbushe, or rather RAF Hartford Bridge. For the benefit of the Forum Members who replied to the question as to whether "POTD" should continue with extracts from Stuart Marshall's work, "The Wartime Years" today we'll resume recalling what life was like on the site we know as Blackbushe - and all the dreadfully overgrown surroundings that once were also a part of this superb airfield. We last recalled the festive season as December, 1943, came to a close, how the pubs in Yateley were bursting at the seams with RAF personnel from the new air base and considering it was war the best was made of the time granted..

Moving to January, 1944...


"...The New Year was in the usual style well and truly welcomed in. The 1st of the month saw the arrival of 2800 Squadron from RAF Ibsley, near Fordingbridge in Hampshire with their anti-aircraft guns for the defense of the airfield. They took over from 2773 Squadron which moved out to RAF Kirton-on-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, on the 3rd. Also on the 3rd was a further visit to the airfield by AVM BE Embry of 2 Group.

The Bostons of 107 Squadron were airborne on the 4th for a circus operation on the 'noball' target at Ligescourt in France, while 16 and 140 Squadrons continued their photography of the sea bed, coastal defences and ports in the Normandy beaches area.

Yet another 'noball' target was attacked by 107 Squadron on the following day. [Reminder, 'noball' target were new German launching sites for their flying bombs]. Each of the aircraft dropping 4x500lb bombs from 9000ft.

The following day, the 6th, was to prove a sad one for 107 Squadron when they lost Boston BZ387 (L) which crashed on approach to land. The pilot, an American, Lt Art Truxler, was overflying Little Sandhurst when the aircraft for some unexplained reason (but believed to be due to engine failure) dived into the ground. Jim Moore of 88 Squadron was in Sandhurst at the time and recalled seeing the aircraft pass overhead. He said, "During the afternoon of the 6th we were in Sandhurst when we saw a Boston flying over on its landing approach. Inexplicably it crashed about half a miler from us. A local airman who was on leave, together with two civilians, went to the crash scene in an attempt to rescue the crew, but the aircraft blew up, killing not only the crew but also the airman who was trying to help. Two civilians were badly injured in the explosion and when I cycled back to the airfield I was horrified to learn it was Art and his crew that had been killed".

Also that day P/O Glynn made an emergency landing at RAF Friston in Sussex on return from operations...".


Until I was four I lived in Little Sandhurst with my Mum and Dad. Mr Peabody was our local butcher, and my Dad I well recall telling of the Boston that crashed nearby and Mr Peabody being injured in his attempts to save the crew. Further, on Saturday I had coffee with John Lowe at the Pathfinder. As a very young man John lived in Little Sandhurst not too far from the crash site, when the aircraft's contents exploded John clearly recalls the piece of shrapnel that missed him by inches.

That concludes today's venture into times gone by, more tomorrow. If I was a speed typist there's be more each day, but.....

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
05/07/22


06.00, beautiful morning, local sky a screeching mass of crows and jackdaws. Nature's wonderful but the crows need to adhere to noise regulations, not to mention better adherence to local circuit procedures!

Talking of circuit procedures I noted yesterday when driving the local highways that various roads are being closed during the afternoons of the forthcoming Farnborough Air Show.. Part of the post Shoreham reactions that still linger in the minds of certain bodies, perhaps, but looking at the very limited amount of flying planned for Farnborough this year perhaps one could question why such extreme precautions are necessary. FYI, here's the Farnborough programme latest... www.air-shows.org.uk/2021/02/preview-farnborough-international-airshow-2022/

Like it, or not, officialdom has breathed a cold wind over flying events in the UK, or maybe the concept of flying displays as dangerous has been squeezed out of proportion in our risk averse society?

OK, further thought on use of local airspace. Bees. Historically the garden has been well supplied with bees doing their business, but this year the situation has changed. The grass which has not been mown for a couple of weeks due lack of rain is currently covered in the usual buttercups, daisies and in particular the bees favourite clover. The clover used to be a magnet to bees, this year if you wander the grass areas you're lucky to see one bee, occasionally two.

Finally, from non-Blackbushe thoughts, an article caught my eye yesterday and perhaps one worthy of consideration where rotary winged aircraft and fixed wing share the same airspace? Earlier this year a Cessna 120 passed through the rotor wash of a previous Huey encountered loss of control and struck the ground. This report from AvWeb might be of interest..


Extracted from AvWeb 03 July, 2022..
On Jan.3, 2022, a Cessna 120 flown by a 1000-hour pilot and CFI encountered rotor wash from a Huey helicopter that passed just in front of it. The aircraft rolled uncontrollably at under 100 feet and crashed nose first. Improbably, the pilot suffered only a minor injury. The video was posted by Aviation Safety Network.










A glance back to the past, 1970s, and one of Doug Arnold's casual warbird flying days. A Storch and a couple of Jodels wearing ominous crosses, these days proved very popular with the local population. No Pathfinder Cafe either, but the premises now occupied by the Pathfinder in its original guise as the Three Counties Aero club, while in the foreground another flying school that is no longer with us, Aeromart. The small 'hangar' to the left is where the AVM used to keep his Linnet and airport equipment, while casting you view to the far west Doug Arnold's new hangars plus the crumbling remains of the lock-up hangars built in 1962/3... Looks great minus BCA's conglomeration of used cars and transporters that have now removed the airfield's north western corner..




By way of a reminder of just how much of Blackbushe Airport has been lost! The missing hangars of the US Navy to the north-east, Airwork's two hangars in the bottom right quadrant north of the A30 while Britavia/Silver City's hangar is seen just south of the A30. To the extreme south west of the Airport, bottom left quadrant of the photo lies the hangar of Eagle Airways. The sadly missing eastern ends of runways 26/08 and 14/32 and the full sized main apron are easy to see, the apron almost extending to the holding point for runway 32. You'll probably note the odd aeroplane here and here!




Finally, Herald G-APWA in her BEA colours. February 1960. At the end of the following May Blackbushe was closed 'for all time'....




...but, Blackbushe was not closed for all time, although she fights for her rights. Herald, G-APWA, returned to Blackbushe in July 1977, this time in the colours of British Air Ferries who had agreed to bring her over for the weekend to provide pleasure flights during the Blackbushe Air Festival... If there is one thing Blackbushe is not short of, it's memories!!


Now, continuation of Blackbushe's past from Stuart Marshall's "The Wartime Years"......

Still in January, 1943, "...at Hartford Bridge is what now quite common to see pyrotechnics being fired from aircraft as they made their approach, indicating that there were injured aboard who would need medical attention on landing. The emergency crews were by now expert in the way that they dealt with emergencies they encountered and were quickly on the scene as the aircraft came to a halt. Their emergency drill was sadly called upon more and more regularly as the months passed. The base hospital was located at the bottom of Cricket Hill Lane in Yateley neat the junction with Reading Road. Many injured personnel had good cause to thank the hospital staff for their expert help and attention.

The airfield was visited on 7th/8th by an unusual visitor - a Mr A Siniak -a Soviet technician who came to inspect the airfield lighting system, although there is no record to indicate why."


That's it, 07.15, enough typing, hopefully POTD continues to do its job feeding you samples of days gone by?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
06/07/22

Silence....

Diligent followers of POTD will know that of recent some of us have been troubled by early morning (+/- 05.30) gatherings of crows whose choral renditions have left much to be desired. Today, sweet silence so much so that everything's running late....anyway, that's the exciting news this morning!

Except for a couple of other points. For example, the Pathfinder Cafe at Blackbushe... Many have found the Pathfinder to be the perfect place to enjoy the incredibly friendly crew, excellent choices of refreshments while enjoying the views of an increasingly busy aerodrome, easy parking, and the perfect place to meet friends for a cuppa, or two.. As you know, the Pathfinder's kitchens close at 15.30 each day having been in action since 08.00. Well, throughout July and August the Pathfinder will be staying open until 20.00 on Friday and Saturday evenings. The kitchens will still be closed, but sandwiches, sausage rolls, drinks, and the all important Pathfinder cakes will be available until 20.00.

POTD followers who read our piece regarding the recent Farnborough Airport Consultative Committee meeting or have read the minutes will know of the Extinction Rebellion supporter who took the Meeting to task regarding the level of flights departing Farnborough that now route overhead Farnham as part of the noise reduction programme and airspace changes. His attack on Farnborough was very detailed and way beyond the scope of the average objector who lies in the road or glue themselves to somewhere inconvenient. It should be noted that Mr Shearn whose noise action group, or NAG, appears to consist of this gentleman and a couple of Extinction Rebellion associates does tend to lean on misleading information. For example, he refers to Blackbushe, which suggests Blackbushe is also in his field of focus by stating that "the heavy commercial traffic inbound to Blackbushe" adds to the suffering of Farnham residents. Whilst Farnborough have control of Blackbushe's inbound traffic and route it on a logical wide pattern, to state that Blackbushe has 'heavy commercial' traffic is optimistic to put it mildly...




Now that's "heavy commercial traffic" using Blackbushe Airport!


Meanwhile, things in Downing Street are turning decidedly ugly, the fate of our nation has a certain uncertainty hanging over it this morning..a wild west of politics lies ahead where the shoot out may result in Great Britain having a few bullet holes in strategic places... Good luck to all who sail in her.

Talking of bullets flying, a quick look back to 1943 and Stuart's account of life when Blackbushe was under military command and our nation was fighting for an unknown future. What's new?


"....On 14th January, 1944, HM King George VI approved the award of the DSO to F/O AH Riseley, RAFVR, of 88 Squadron, in recognition of gallantry shown i flying operations against the enemy. He was also graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the name of F/Sgt JP Walsh of 137 Wing Airfield HQ who had been mentioned in despatches by the Air Officer, Commander in Chief. There had been many such honours conferred on personnel at Hartford Bridge.

During this period attacks were continuing to be made against targets in occupied France. As a result of meeting heavy flak over one such target, F/O Rozoy of 342 Squadron in Boston BZ305 crashed into Pevensey bay on the 14th. He and his crew were picked up and taken to hospital, where they were to remain for the best part of a week before returning to the airfield. It was also the day that found 88 Squadron again attacking flying-bomb sites in the Cherbourg Peninisular region."


Next time we'll complete the story of January, 1943, at RAF Hartford bridge..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
07/07/22

Yesterday "POTD" claimed that, "things in Downing Street are turning decidedly ugly.." and predicted a wild west political 'shoot out' was on the cards regarding the state of play in Downing Street. Seems the prediction was closer to the bulls-eye than anticipated!! The clouds of uncertainty are gathering at ominous speed. At least President Joe is sending a couple of squadrons of F-35s to Lakenheath to impress Vlad... Next week things are really going to heat up, well, according to the weather forecasters they are..

Talking of American appearances in the UK, it is twelve years today since the Boeing 787 Dreamliner first appeared at the Farnborough Air Show. Twelve years.. Seems like yesterday. Talking of Russia and the USA, it was on this day in 1960 that the USSR shot down an American aircraft over the Barents sea..An RB-47H that had departed Brize Norton was brought down by a Mig-19. Four of the six crew lost their lives, the American aircraft was confirmed to have been over international waters at the time. Two crew were captured but later released by President Krushchev as a 'good will' gesture.. President Kennedy denied that the release was in exchange for an accused Soviet spy. Today the waters surrounding Russia seem muddier than ever. Back in 1960 the Cold War was raging, and by this time in the year the destruction of Blackbushe Airport would have been in full swing.

The previous year, 1959, Blackbushe played host to Farnborough Air Show visitors for the last time. Last time on an 'official basis' at least, a fully equipped international airport just a short distance from Farnborough was ideal, while the RAF offered a shuttle service between the airfields with a couple of Whirlwind helicopters. Some memories below..



























Such scenes to a thirteen year old lad on his bike were to have a lasting effect.... the following year's sights of destruction also had a lasting effect.

"....At the end of the month the airfield had been visited by Sir Roy Feddon (Ministry of Aircraft Production), Dr Abbott (Board of Education), and an officer of the Directorate of Technical Development, Air Ministry, to investigate its suitability for post-war activities. It was suggested that Hawker Aircraft might move into the airfield to establish an aircraft production facility but this plan was to be subsequently shelved and they eventually moved into Dunsfold in 1950..

Ronald McCall, a young local lad at the time, recalled seeing a Lancaster bomber overshoot the runway on landing. The aircraft which had both wings ripped off in the accident, came to rest at the end of the runway at the eastern boundary and was quickly attended by the emergency services. Once they had departed he remembered collecting ration packs and that a friend foolishly picked up an emergency flare which he took into a concrete shelter in the Dungells Lane area. On letting it off, it ricocheted around inside as it hit the walls. He recalled that the lads left in a very great hurry!".


Next time we venture into February, 1944.


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
08/07/22


Before 5am the crows were back this morning with their blood curdling squawking, they seemed to be casing the area as their cacophony could be heard moving around the neighbourhood before blasting their din once again too close for comfort. Repeatedly..They're big birds too, anybody else having such early morning guests in the Fleet area?

Yesterday our Prime Minister resigned. An open void looms ahead, the consequences of which remain to be seen, with smiles spreading across Europe to Moscow, time will tell. The cork is out of the bottle, the fizz has gone, perchance the vacuum left could signal a magnificent disaster as duplicitous plotters lick their lips? Time will tell.

While the future is uncertain, there is one thing item of which a degree of certainty exists, 29th July, the Blackbushe Heritage Trust hold their second meeting at the Pathfinder Cafe starting at 7pm, a meeting for all interested in the Trust's project to bring a Viking back to Blackbushe. You could join the band of volunteers for whom a variety of opportunities await, manning the fabulous exhibition trailer around the air shows and at Blackbushe, work on the restoration programme, or simply spreading the word.. On the 29th you'll have the opportunity to see and purchase the Trust's goodies too.. The Pathfinder will be open for light refreshments, but the kitchens will be closed. Will YOU be joining us??

Just looked at Blackbushe movements 70 years ago today..Dakota G-AMSF of BKS departed on Airwork charter to Basle, Viking G-AGRR flew an air test before becoming XB-QEX joining the Bank of Mexico, Silver City's Bristol Freighter G-AICM underwent an air test, plus all the regular US Navy and airline traffic.




1958, just another Dakota moment, just one of the delights of Blackbushe long gone..




XP-FIP, another Viking that left Blackbushe destined for a life in Mexico. Written off in a landing accident in 1964.




Rugged days on post war Blackbushe 'south', south of the A30..1951 or 52, GVC flew numerous horse charters in and out of Blackbushe..



Back to WW2 and the airfield's early years...

"..February 1944.

HM King George VI was pleased to approve the award of the DFC to F/O GW Attenborough and the DFM to F/O CB Carter, both of 107 Squadron, during the month which was to prove a very busy one for all concerned as preparation for the invasion of Europe continued.

16 and 140 Squadrons were now completing their re-equipment with replacement aircraft and were photographing areas of Normandy using survey cameras to capture what to them seemed like areas of open farm land. In fact they were recording possible sites for airstrips to be used by Allied aircraft when the invasion had occurred and it was safe to establish forward landing grounds on French soil. It was , however, time for one of the based squadrons to move on nd 107 Squadron left the airfield to take up residence at RAF Lasham where they were to re-equip with Mosquito Mk VIs. They took with them 3122 Echelon, their servicing crew, while leaving their redundant Bostons to be made available for use by 88 Squadron. While two remaining Boston squadrons, 88 and 342, continued to bomb French construction works on the 4th, 140 Squadron were training to use Gee and Rebecca radar navigational aids. The following day 88 Squadron was active again, this time with a raid on Beauvais airfield.

On the same day two unusual aircraft landed on the airfield from Farnborough - Avro Tutor K3234 flew in to conduct stability trials with the Baynes Carrier Wing Bat experimental aircraft RA809 which had been built by Slingsby".


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
09/07/22


Going to be a sizzling weekend, and POTD is on borrowed time this morning..07.30 and the mercury is rising nicely! Talking of things rising, there is some mystique about flying a mile above the ground, according to rumour there's even a club been formed.... On this day in July in 1910 a Walter Brookins boarded his Wright biplane and climbed to a height of 6,175ft above the good Earth. For this attainment and being the first to tread the sanctity of flying a mile high in the sky he was awarded a prize of $5,000.




Dear old "GB", one of the fabulous Auster 6 aircraft of Three Counties Aero Club. It was in sister Auster 6 G-ARKC that I first climbed above the one mile above the ground target way back in 1963. Taking photos of Odiham we needed the height, took a few minutes to get there but the descent was a rapid spiral and I well recall the sinus pain as my 17 year old tubes were pressure cleaned! Never happened again...


Some more memories of further back in 1944 from Stuart's writings..

"...Boston BZ218 of 342 Squadron was hit by flak on 9th February over Fruges. Despite the fuel lines being shot away, the crew managed to keep the engines running by use of hands pumps until the aircraft was able to make a crash landing at RAF Friston, Sussex.

Problems were being experienced by 2 TAF Communications Flight as their Taylorcraft Auster 1 aircraft were becoming entangled in the metal PSP matting. Aircraft on their strength included six of these Austers.

It was about this time that a local chicken keeper discovered a wallet on his property. He had for some time been concerned that his livestock had been disappearing at fairly regular intervals. On examination he quickly deduced from the wallet's contents that the culprit was one of the locally based airmen from the airfield. He therefore decided to do the right thing and return the wallet to its owner, via the squadron commander with an explanatory note that the money it contained had not been stolen but had been kept by him to pay in part for his missing stock".


Have a great weekend...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
10/07/22

Think it's gonna be a hot hot day, advice coming in from the BBC on how to save our skins, not perfect for playing a final match at Wimbledon? Apart from the regular passage of vapour trails throughout yesterday as sun seekers departed through the best skies that Britain can produce, it was good to see Blackbushe inbounds and outbounds as they routed on a track that took them overhead Fleet and Farnborough. The thought occured as a FlyWales Beech departed Blackbushe yesterday and routed overhead Fleet before heading west that when I was young, and for many years until 1960, Blackbushe traffic routed over home in Berkshire, and despite all the woes with local politics and bodies who may have wanted a non-aviation future for the site since 1960, in 2022 Blackbushe traffic is still routing overhead home! Home has moved, and the traffic pre-1960 tended to be a bit heavier and sounded a bit different to that of today, but the fact remains that after so many years of uncertainty and questionable activities, Blackbushe lives....




Blackbushe today survives as an airfield, or parts of it do.... The thought occurs on this hot summer's day that had AVM Bennett not saved his 365 acres sixty years the entire Blackbushe Airport site would today look like this, this being an example of the Council owned east end of the airfield.


Imagine. If you can...

Imagine there's no Blackbushe,
It's easy if you try,
Scrubland all around us,
Above us only sky....


Heading back to 1944's recollections, we've now reached 13th February, 1944..


"...A new squadron arrived on the 13th flying Mitchell bombers, a new type to be based at the airfield. This was 226 Squadron which arrived from its former base at RAF Swanton Morley in Norfolk, bringing with them their servicing unit No. 3126 Echelon.They were initially assigned to the north eastern corner of the airfield which was under guard by the RAF Regiment with machine guns. As they commenced a training period of nearly a month their sqiadron code letters MQ became a familiar site to station personnel. In April a number of their aircraft painted in all black colour scheme and carrying no other markings would form the squadron's "C" Flight which was to be assigned to top secret special duties.

On the same day a 34 Wing crew established a record by photographing 14 proposed landing sites in France in a single sortie. It was vital to get as much up-to-date information as possible on the proposed sites to allow for planning to be undertaken on where to establish these forward landing grounds. It was seen to be of the utmost importance that once the invasion took place, aircraft which were moved forward would be able to provide adequate cover for Allied troops fighting their way into occupied France".


There is no doubt that this airfield played a highly important role toward the return of peace within Europe from not only strategic bombing aspects but also from the early counter intelligence operations with black Mitchells, Lysanders who landed in dark fields across the Channel, and widespread essential aerial photography and intelligence gathering directly in the eyes of the enemy. It's sad, on reflection, how little respect the historic aspects of Blackbushe, her courage or her sacrifices in human life, were given when local authorities gleefully ripped the old airfield to pieces.

Butwe all know that..

PB