PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
10/08/22


Two delightful hours spent at the Pathfinder yesterday afternoon with a group of one time work colleagues... Perfect blue skies, a refreshing breeze to temper the August heat, the airfield constantly busy in the background with rotary and fixed wing operations, jets on the apron, and the wonderful Pathfinder crew as always a credit to the operation.

Whilst it seems ever more ironic that the airfield is stifled by ancient laws, after six decades of devotion to the airfield it oozes the feel of an established and professionally run airport backed up by the frequency of aircraft movements. Well done Blackbushe, proud of you, maybe one day you'll get the facilities such as hangars you so richly deserve?

Had to be said. Now, there's another avenue of pursuit at Blackbushe and that is the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's campaign to return a Viking airliner to the airfield for posterity and a long term celebration of the Viking's contribution to British post-war air transport and its very close affiliation with Blackbushe. This is where you may come in, stay up to date by checking in with the Trust's website BlackbusheHeritageTrust.com This is where you may not only keep up to date with what's going on, you may also enlist as a volunteer for any of the activities that await, you can donate (funds are essential lifeblood) or just stay in touch with our gatherings at Blackbushe that will be happening on a regular basis and to which you are more than welcome to attend!! The website also shows the extensive range of merchandise and clothing available that looks great and raises funds for the Viking... If you're one of the many who'd be thrilled to see an historic vestige of our past you owe it to yourself to stay in touch via the website!! AND..don't forget the Raffle with unique prize opportunities!!! Tickets on sale at the Pathfinder Cafe...




Eagle days. A few of Eagle's Vikings adjacent to their engineering base on Blackbushe 'south'. south of the A30 at the west end of the then airport land. To see one Eagle Viking back on Blackbushe territory would be a great stand for history and the way this airfield supported so much of our post-war development of commercial independent airline operations..




A reflection of past wonders. Two Bristol Hercules engines take an Eagle Viking aloft over the now disused eastern end of Blackbushe Airport. Such an everyday sight in the fifties, an emotional memory jerk for those who remember, probably a matter of some curiosity for those too young to either remember, or know of such things!


OK, the above photos have been used before, but what harm another glance at what was...

That had to be said too. Now, next, history and another slice from Stuart's "The Wartime Years" . It's June, 1944, D Day is near, Blackbushe, or RAF Hartford Bridge, approaches a crucial time...


"...June 1944

The 1st of the month saw S/Ldr P Aderton assume control of the airfield on transfer of the station from 2 Group to 11 Group. In addition to 11 Group holding party, the following units were accommodated at the airfield at the time:

137 Wing, comprising 2 Group Wing HQ, 88,342, and 226 Squadrons
141 Airfield (85 Group), comprising 141 Airfield HQ, 264 and 322 Squadrons
416 Service and Repair Wing

On the 2nd June a party of 6 officers from the Empire Central Flying School visited the station to study the latest details of operational flying.

To illustrate how valuable the FIDO installation was at the airfield, the following account from S/Ldr Basil Watkin formerly of 487 (RNZAF) Squadron is included in his own words:

"Flying from Gravesend in Kent we were detailed to carry out a night intruder attack on a German fighter base in eastern France, flying a Mosquito Mk IV.

Despite the unbelievably lousy weather with heavy rain, low cloud, almost nil visibility and forecasts for it to deteriorate, the operation was 'on'. As the first aircraft on target we departed at dusk into heavy overcast to be met with such heavy static that any R/T communication was impossible. However we were maintaining standard R/T silence, so that didn't give us too much concern. How wrong we were!! We climbed to altitude, meeting AA flak en route, and on ETA we identified our target through the murk. During our 35 minute over the target we carried out standard low-level attacks on aircraft in the air as well as those still on the ground and also airfields installation targets. On our return we climbed back to the comparative safety of the heavy overcast and on ETA crossed the French coast and called base with the standard call '...our feet are wet...' To say that we were stunned by the replies would be an understatement. They included; 'How had we missed the general recall that all operations had been cancelled' (This had been shortly after we took off during the heavy static). 'All airfields in England are closed due weather' and information that we had the entire radar and air traffic control system for our sole benefit... Wow!!

"After simple but short discussions we were offered two alternatives:
1/ Bail out over England (and lose our faithful 'R' for Roger Mossie).
2/ Make a FIDO approach into RAF Hartford Bridge (and keep 'R')".

At that point it's time to break off for breakfast, the saga will continue very soon...the hoped for return to terra firma left two options, only one was going to offer hope for both crew and aeroplane.

06.15, that's another day's "POTD" in the bag, hopefully of interest...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
11/08/22

Until May 1960 Blackbushe Airport was not only second in the category of airports serving the London area, she carried increasing numbers of passengers to destinations far and wide in days when piston engines and turbo props were the established means of departures and arrivals.




A sight unknown to many who frequent Blackbushe today, to those who did this was just a standard Blackbushe day as resident airlines went about their business and sounds unheard by many today still linger in the memory of those who witnessed Blackbushe at her most productive..



When Blackbushe was closed it was assumed the airfield, following the seemingly political urgency to remove her from the surface of the Earth, would return to the wide swathe of unused heathland she was before 1942, and passenger carrying air traffic would be something lost to the history books so far as Blackbushe was concerned. Well, so far as the council owned over-grown section of Blackbushe is concerned, that is sadly what has happened, but the section of the Airport that happily remains operational today still carries the flag of passenger carrying flights. Not like old Blackbushe in size or numbers, but increasingly jet and turboprop powered passenger flights use Blackbushe on a regular basis from points around the UK, Europe, and beyond... The fact the Blackbushe still lives, still breathes in the life giving business of passenger carrying aviation, is not far short of a miracle and entirely due to the dogged persistence of her owners who have invested so much in their faith in this great airfield and the opportunities she will unveil when local political common sense prevails...

Thanks to our ace photographer Paul Phillips here are three of yesterday's examples of Blackbushe and her use by aeroplanes that transport people!!


OH-EAX by wokinghampaul, on Flickr



G-SCCA by wokinghampaul, on Flickr



LX-JFD by wokinghampaul, on Flickr



Wonderful photos Paul, we're extremely grateful to you for your ongoing support of the Forum's pages...and wonderful to see 'affordable' Blackbushe being used more regularly as her advantages are clearly becoming more widely appreciated.



Yesterday our reports from 1944 continued as Mosquito 'R' Roger was in a bit of an uncomfortable situation. Today we follow 'R' Roger with another extract from Stuart Marshall's excellent "The Wartime Years". It's June, 1944...

"...It was a no win situation; for us there was only one solution - go for the FIDO approach. Unfortunately neither I nor my navigator, F/O Munro, had flown FIDO, but as a real safety conscious crew we had studied the FIDO film - I wonder where that film is now? Also during training sessions we had pre-planned and flown our own approaches and let-downs into dummy airfields. But even if we had both flown another 100 missions, never did we expect that we would need one if these approaches, let alone both at the same time.

"The weather at the airfield was really dreadful, airfield closed due fog with a visibility of 50 yards, cloud base 200ft and landings permitted using FIDO with the added proviso... 'To be used by pilots with FIDO experience only'. We arrived over Hartford Bridge and using his 'G' box Andy proceeded to instruct me using our Watkin/Munro 'G1' approach and letdown! What a carefully instructed and painstakingly flown approach and letdown. On approaching 200ftand committal altitude, suddenly directly ahead piercing the dense fog appeared this tiny triangle if intense fire and Andy's only laconic comment during the letdown: Gosh! It's rather small, even for our Mossie'.

"We landed safely in this wall of fire, to be met by a completely unexpected and incredibly deafening roar from the enormous thrust of thousands of gallons of fuel being forced through the burners, intense almost overbearing heat with an unbelievable brightness from the burning fuel. We immediately complete loss of night, or any other, vision. As we rolled to a stop two events occurred without warning:

1/ The burners were turned off, leaving us in complete and utter blackness. (We couldn't see anyway).

2/ Both engines just stopped: we had run out of fuel. (We later discovered that this was due to AA fire that we had encountered on our mission. What chance of an overshoot then?). Eventually MT found us in the fog and towed us to the nearest hard standing.

" Our simple debrief consisted of: 'Where the hell have you been?' and "Why did you run out of fuel?"

After a greasy but very welcome early morning breakfast of beans and sweet tea - I still do not drink sweet tea - two very tired airmen retired to lumpy bunks in the pilots' duty hut. Later that morning we returned to our own base by MT, leaving 'R' at Hartford Bridge, to be greeted by our Commanding Officer, his main comments including: ' Where on earth have you two been?' and 'at least you brought the aircraft back'

The saddening sequel to this that a few days later I manager to break my neck - yes, flying a Mossie. When bailing out I landed on my head instead of my feet -so while the medics were doing a superb repair job on me, Andy was crewed with a new pilot and sadly they crashed in flames attacking an ammunition train in France".



That's it for now....until 'next time'.

PB

[PB]

12/08/22

From the POTD studios..

12/08/22

As Arnie once said, "I'll be back".. so will POTD after a short break while the batteries are placed on charge...

Take care,
PB



The great blue tumult is calling!!

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
21/08/22

Following an interlude of jet setting, "POTD" is preparing its return to the early morning daily opportunity to offer scrambled words, thoughts, and suitable images for consumption around breakfast time...

I'm sure we'll find suitable topics for discussion, Blackbushe is one of those aerodromes from whence there will always be a morsel worthy of discussion. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, all hold many avenues of conversation..

One of our avenues covers all three opportunities for conversation, namely the recovery of Viking G-AGRW from Austria by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust. Yesterday she used to fly from Blackbushe, today the Trust are busy gearing up for her return to Blackbushe, and 'tomorrow' will see her eventual return to Blackbushe for reassembly, restoration, and eventual permanent display on dear old Blackbushe.

Seeing a Viking back on Blackbushe, once again visible from the A30 and representing the many Viking operators once Blackbushe based, will be an amazing and emotional moment. There will be much more to read on this subject over the coming weeks, and there will always be the opportunity for you to join us in support of the ongoing work readying ourselves for that day when "RW" returns to Blackbushe..




Last Friday, the Blackbushe Heritage Trust 'on the road' with our superb 'road-show' at the RAF Families Day at RAF Odiham. This is just the beginning of many appearances at air shows and other public venues where interest and funds will be raised toward our ultimate goal...


This link takes you to the Blackbushe Heritage Trust pages on our Forum. blackbusheairport.proboards.com/thread/968/blackbushe-heritage-trust-hopes-objectives We are happily signing up new volunteer members for duties such as manning the exhibition trailer while also happy to engage personnel in an executive role to add thrust to our Viking plans. There is no doubt we are embarking on an historic venture, a venture that will secure a very important link in British aviation history for generations to come.

See you tomorrow!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
22/08/22

Once again early morning confrontation with the keyboard from where thoughts of aviation, and particularly Blackbushe, are given a degree of freedom to wend their way to souls such as you who harbour some form of attachment to the airfield... Be it simply taking a walk on the wild side of the airfield, enjoying some of the Pathfinder Cafe's excellent refreshments while watching Blackbushe's varied air traffic, spotting, learning to fly, operating an aeroplane or running one of the Airport's excellent flying schools, there are ever increasing numbers of people who find enjoyment, employment, and involvement with Blackbushe's many activities.

History is one of Blackbushe Airport's 'selling points'. Latterly we have ventured into the pre D-Day period on "POTD" thanks to Stuart Marshall's superb account in his "The Wartime Years" and we will continue with those extraordinary times in due course. The Airport's history took a massive leap post war when it became a civil commercial airport, a second airport to London as Heathrow grabbed the No1 spot, and aeroplanes such as the Vickers Viking became the backbone of British independent airlines...

The Viking brings us to one of the exciting activities taking place at Blackbushe right now. The Blackbushe Heritage Trust, now a fully fledged charity, is fully focused on bringing a Viking back to Blackbushe, restoring her and placing her on permanent display on the Airport as a salute to the heroic and dedicated airlines once Blackbushe based for whom the Viking was their bread and butter. Viking G-AGRW will be an ongoing symbol of British aviation, airlines and manufacturing, for the heritage of generations today and in the future.

Do take a look at our Blackbushe Heritage Trust website www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/ you can donate at the Vagabond Just Giving site, the operation still has to raise significant funds to enable the journey across Europe by road! You can also buy the excellent BHT merchandise via the website or how exciting can it get??? Buy some of our raffle tickets at £3 each...First prize a fully instructed session in one of the most advanced flight simulators you going to find, second prize a fun flight in a light aeroplane from Blackbushe, third prize Blackbushe Heritage Trust merchandise. Tickets are available at the Pathfinder Cafe - don't forget, and good luck!!!




The Blackbushe Heritage Trust 'road show', something that will be increasingly seen at air events and public gatherings in the future. Pat is seen here in full "PR" form during our very successful day at RAF Odiham last Friday as we took our place at the Families Day airshow...photo by 'flo'



Elsewhere in the world of British aviation good news regarding airport sites getting green lights for development. www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-08-02/southampton-airport-runway-expansion-to-go-ahead A new airport to rise from the ashes of an old one!! Not only Manston, of course, as Southampton has also received judicial blessing for a small runway extension.

One is tempted to wonder how much longer it will take for Blackbushe to rise as a new General Aviation centre from the ashes of old Blackbushe in which she continues to a great job for GA. The steady growth of business jet movements reflects a growing awareness of the benefits that await at affordable and environmentally unbeatable Blackbushe...

From an historic point of view not connected to Blackbushe, it was on this day 22nd August in 1952 that the mighty Saunders Roe Princess flying boat first took to the skies...




Not long after that August first flight, the Princess took part in the Farnborough Air Show in September, but not without saluting Blackbushe with a unique view of Britain's latest journey to the skies..



That's day one of POTD's return to the keyboard, coming up to 07.00, hopefully some thoughts to munch over while chasing your Cornflakes around the cereal bowl?

See you tomorrow providing the delightful virus that's recently making life less fun permits! It's not Covid-19 according to the 'stick it up yer nose' kit, first bug I've entertained for at least two years... Bye for now..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
23/08/22


Here we are sitting at the type-face once again, having sailed through Covid without so much as a sniffle some kind of virus has been rampaging through your scribes body over the past couple of days. Paracetamol, self-pity, a man sizes supply of Kleenex, and a night's sleep are all I need. If things go really wrong you'll have to start reading "POTD" from day-one again!!

Yesterday, "POTD" stressed the importance of our volunteers who have boldly come forward to take on various roles involved in the repatriation of Viking G-AGRW. However, safety comes with numbers, and we need greater numbers of volunteers to man the Blackbushe Heritage Trust 'road-show' when it goes on tour to various air-shows etc.. Our Forum has almost 700 members and I'm pretty certain that from within those numbers awaits a good body of 'person-power' happy to add momentum to our cause??


To bring the Viking back to Blackbushe from Vienna the Blackbushe Heritage Trust have necessarily to raise significant funds. There's a huge amount of support for the 'idea', but we meed to channel that support into positive support!! This aeroplane is not just 'another old airframe', for with her comes the story of Great Britain's move from building wartime bombers to producing civil post-war airliners, while at the same time the Viking is the proud example of the aeroplane courageous new independent airlines used to forge routes across Europe and into Africa while tackling the shackles placed on their growth by a government who solidly supported their state owned carrier, BEA.

Of equal importance to the Viking was the need for an airport that was suited to the needs of the spawning new independent airlines. Without a shadow of doubt, Blackbushe provided the answer. Near to London, great weather record, easy access on the A30 trunk road, long clear approaches and environmentally unbeatable. Blackbushe and the Viking will for all time be the ideal 'married couple' of civil aviation.

Your help in achieving the aims of Blackbushe Heritage Trust will be incredibly important, and we feel that all who have any sympathy toward Blackbushe and preserving this vital piece of her - and our - heritage will come forward to help. Your help is essential if we are to raise the funds necessary to bring "RW" back home. Please, if you feel your conscience tugging leave a note on the Forum's "Open Discussion on Blackbushe Heritage Trust & the Viking's Return", or check-out our website BlackbusheHeritageTrust.com. [/font]

PLEASE!!




That 'oh so familiar' Blackbushe sight by the A30 in the fifties. With your help we can restore it permanently....



Herein ends our message of the day. We need your help, if you want to see an historic slice of our heritage recovered and put on show for all to see - at Blackbushe - then let us know. Please....

That' today's "POTD", time to lie down in a darkened room, and dream of a Viking parked by the A30 just like 60+ years ago...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
24/08/22

Yesterday's "POTD" focused on the Blackbushe Heritage Trust and our plans to bring a Viking airliner back to Blackbushe for history and heritage... Volunteers are always going to be one of our greatest assets, the numbers are growing slowly and as described yesterday we would love to see more. Yesterday's "POTD" I note has been seen by 420 pairs of eyes, I've now added a new section in the Heritage Trust's section of the Forum whereby volunteers can simply add their name and contact details so as we may be in contact. If you're not already a BHT volunteer we hope to see your name appear on the list soon!! Your link ..... blackbusheairport.proboards.com/post/17794

Meanwhile the unidentified virus continues to make life a bit miserable, highly inconvenient for many reasons!



While I hope for a few minutes cough free sleep I'll leave you with a happy memory from years ago, Farnborough Week during the Doug Arnold era when we filled runway 14/32 with the Farnborough visitors who poured into the circuit to be placed in our line-up that filled both sides of the runway on several days....


Hopefully back tomorrow?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
25/08/22




The crew of Lancaster "G" George of 101 Squadron now reunited...It is with great sadness that dear Norman Gregory has recently passed away at the age of 101. Serving with 101 Squadron at Ludford Magna from 1943 to 1945. Very active and a keen cyclist in his latter years, Norman flew into Blackbushe for the Airport's 75th with Mike Biddulph. Seen here having logged a flight in the Catalina at Blackbushe in July, 2017.. Rest in peace Norman, it was a pleasure and privilege to have known you.



Anyone casting half an eye over POTD recently will be aware of the increasing momentum shown by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust and their campaign to return a Viking to Blackbushe. Yesterday Pete Vickery and Kevin Bond manned the BHT station at the Pathfinder Cafe for a few hours with great success. Not only did they find considerable interest in the project, a useful sum of cash toward the Viking's return was raised via the sale of excellent BHT merchandise. Do come and say "Hello" when next you see members of the Heritage Trust 'on display' at the Pathfinder...




Kevin and Pete in action yesterday...



This morning we'll continue the story of life at Blackbushe (RAF Hartford Bridge) as D-Day approaches. It's June, 1944.


"....As the invasion loomed, the Squadrons Bostons were being fitted with smoke-laying canisters in the bomb bays. Each was approximately eight feet long and was connected to four pipes which hung down beneath the aircraft. At the appropriate time the smoke was dispensed from the canisters via these pipes. Very shortly after having the equipment fitted 342 Squadron were in the air practicing laying the smoke at tree-top height over the Isle of Wight.




June, 1944, the Hartford Bridge Bostons prepare for D-Day as smoke canisters are fitted..


There was a feeling of excitement all over the camp as personnel began to realise that all the hectic activity taking place indicated that the invasion was getting very close. The ground crews were working continuously day and night to ensure that all the aircraft were 100% serviceable and ready to go when the big day arrived.

As an extra security measure the A30 was now closed 24 hours a day.

In anticipation of possible D Day requirements 226 were out practicing night flying on the 4th. It was so urgent that they started the detail at 1600 when it was still daylight!!

On the 5th F/O Jack Chinell, Mid Upper Gunner, arrived at Liverpool from his native Canada aboard the French ship 'Louis Pasteur' after a very rough crossing with the ship listing at times through 25 to 30 degrees. Having left Canada in January 1944 and following a stay in Bournemouth, where he remembered doing very little apart from gun maintenance and anti-aircraft duties, he was posted to 13 OTU at RAF Finmere, in Buckinghamshire. Here he took a conversion course onto the B25 Mitchell, which was a 'real kite' compared to the Ventura on which he had trained. It had good flying characteristics and was well built. Having completed the course he was posted to RAF Hartford Bridge where he and the rest of the crew (Tom Harvey, Pilot, Lloyd Bruce, Navigator, and Gord Hammell, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) arrived at Camberley Station at around 4pm on June 5th. He told me, "I can remember Jimmy Betts, who was in charge of our group, being quite upset because someone at the airfield had forgotten all about us and Jimmy had to phone and get transport to come and pick us up. As we later found out they were busy and for a very good reason.

"When we did finally arrive there was much confusion and we finally got settled into our nissen hut, which didn't impress me much. We then found the mess hall and food and later that night we managed to liberate some wood and got the pot-bellied stove stoked up for some much needed heat. We were only allowed a bag of coke every two weeks or so and soon became experts at foraging for fuel of all types. We soon discovered, however, that few rounds in the mess helped to take the chill off the evening"...


Summer weather continues to be a variable beast in 2022, at last a pouring wet morning to the relief of the parched surroundings, humidity this morning indicating 93%.. Reflecting on today's account from WW2 at the airfield one can but wonder how it felt arriving at 1944 Camberley Station with your new posting somewhere not too far away? How did RAF Hartford Bridge look on that June evening as this new crew eventually arrived to settle in to one of the many nissen huts that had taken root around the airfield? One thing's for sure, it looked very different to today, from east to west, north to south, a wide open landscape with not one tree to mar the view....

Catch you tomorrow..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
26/08/22

Half six in the morning, sky clear of cloud and a fresh +9C on the OAT. Cool, a suggestion of cooler times to come and the associated soaring energy price cap..

"POTD" has from time to time looked at the various planned electric VTOL craft of the not too far distant future. There is no doubt that alternate sources of fuel and some radical changes in aircraft design will be coming to serve a future where climate 'protection' and sustainability are prerequisites. Various eVTOL projects are under way, but the following report from Bristol Airport regarding British government backing perhaps indicates the some new climate friendly shapes in the sky? "POTD" had long envisaged how airfields such as Blackbushe might become future commuter hubs whereby quiet eco friendly shuttles operate to city centres. Who knows? Pilotless commuting to Westminster or thereabouts? Anyway, read the following, if you will, and make your own decisions. Remember, this is a Forum where your comments are always welcome in the "POTD comments" section..


"Bristol Airport to host zero-emission electric aircraft trial
Created: 18th Jul 2022

The UK Government has awarded £9.5m to a British consortium to build world first advanced electric flight ecosystem.

The project will include demonstrator flights of Vertical Aerospace’s electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft between Bristol Airport and another airfield in the region - and a simulation flight between Bristol and London City airports.

The new group called the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium is made up of Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace, Virgin Atlantic, Atkins, Skyports and NATS, along with Connected Places Catapult and leading academic institutions Cranfield University and WMG, and the University of Warwick. Together, the organisations will develop key technology and infrastructure in a project that will significantly accelerate the introduction of the zero emissions aircraft often referred to as ‘flying taxis’.

These aircraft offer a new form of travel, enabling cost-effective connectivity into congested urban areas and across regions under-served by existing infrastructure. The UK Government Future Flight Challenge forecast that the introduction of these services will increase UK GDP by 1.8% by 2030 and support the government’s Levelling Up and Net Zero agendas, reflecting the productivity and wider economic benefits of increased connectivity.

To support the project, Bristol Airport have agreed to support two test flights by 2024, allowing the consortium to research and take learnings from the opportunities and challenges of operating in different airport environments. The project demonstration flights planned for 2024 will match Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 receiving its type certificate as it seeks to enter service by 2025. Vertical Aerospace will be in constant dialogue with the UK CAA throughout this process to receive the necessary regulatory approvals to conduct the proposed missions.

The consortium has been awarded a £9.5 million grant by the UK Government’s Future Flight Challenge to develop the essential building blocks of a viable ecosystem that has the potential to be progressed into full commercial operations. This first-of-a-kind ecosystem will create and test technological developments in aircraft electrification, airspace management, ground infrastructure, operational procedures and the systems and supporting business cases required to implement a new model of aerial passenger transport in the UK".



vertical-aerospace.com/about-us/ Click this link to find out a little more on Vertical Aerospace's venture.



Meanwhile, as you know very well, the Blackbushe Heritage Trust is working hard on bringing back a sign of the Airport's illustrious past with the objective of returning a Viking to the Blackbushe tarmac, the surface upon which the Viking was a constant traveller...


Here are just some of Blackbushe's Vikings from days cherished but long ago...


































































We'll continue the D Day story tomorrow, for now you can reflect on both past and present!

Don't forget you can play an instant part in supporting the Viking project by either donating, or buying our excellent merchandise via the Blackbushe Heritage Trust website, or by buying raffle tickets at the Pathfinder Cafe.... Amazing prizes await! Fly on the world's most advanced flight simulators at the airfield near Hounslow, or win a flight from Blackbushe in a light aircraft, or perhaps win some of the Trust's attractive merchandise.

Have a great day.. and do check-out the Blackbushe Heritage Trust website.... www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
27/08/22

Oh wow, it's 08.00, Saturday, Bank Holiday Weekend and the weather's lookin' good.

I should be on top of the world, but the wretched virus performing an overnight encore combined with reading the paper over an unusual 'pre-POTD' breakfast has pretty much zipped up any feelings of euphoria!
No point repeating the issues, but the world we enjoyed in those years before Covid seems to be ever more fading into the distance. Perhaps we're all getting too comfortable in homes that are ever more power demanding, centrally heated, and rather comfortable.. Post-war, early 1950's days and nights could be cold, very cold, a coal fire, no such thing as double glazing, although the windows were often glazed by frost patterns on a winter's morning, one went to school on foot whatever the weather, or else an hour's bus ride with a mile walk at the end to get to senior school. And it all seemed quite normal. Not easy, but normal.. The western world has changed beyond recognition in so many ways.

WE have what we have, while vengeful politicians have left our nation adrift and leaderless until a new skipper takes the bridge, work will continue to direct Blackbushe toward the goal she has pursued for the past six decades, the Heritage Trust will continue to raise funds in support of the plan to return a Viking to the home pastures of Blackbushe, and all being well "POTD" will tap its way around the early morning keyboard for some while longer...

POTD has for some while been bringing you extracts from Stuart Marshall's "The Wartime Years" focused on life at RAF Hartford Bridge during her early years as a strategic RAF base... Today is no exception, but before that a reflection on last evening as dusk fell across northern Hampshire.. Approaching at low level, and with characteristic loud sound effects as they communicated with each other, a seasonal squadron of Canada geese hurtled across the garden. Impressive flying as they tracked for their night's roost on Fleet Pond. But, what struck me as they crossed overhead was how 78 years ago that could well have been a squadron of Hartford Bridge Mosquitos going about their business. Imagination replaced squat duck shapes with two sleek engine nacelles, and the super shape of the Mossie backed up by Merlins on a mission. Just a fleeting moment, but that is exactly what happened in our home skies long ago. No less than twelve Mosquito squadrons were based at Blackbushe (RAF Hartford Bridge) during the period of World War Two. One can but imagine.




A latter day Mosquito. Doug Arnold's G-MOSI taking some exercise on a misty morning back in the seventies...



Back to Stuart's writings....having last written about a new crew's arrival via Camberley station on 5th June, 1944, it is now 6th June, 1944. A great day in the history of war in Europe.


"..."Early the next morning [6th June, D Day] at between 4am and 5am we were awakened by the floor vibrating from the sound of aircraft engines.. Staggering outside, we saw aircraft of all types as far as the eye could see and in all directions. Dakotas and bombers towing gliders and flights of fighters went roaring overhead from tree-top level to high altitude.

Our own field was sending up Bostons and Mitchells which were taking off too. We noticed that each aircraft had black and white stripes painted on the fuselage and on top of and on the underside of the wings. None of this was in evidence when we first arrived the day before. At great altitude and continuing throughout the day, huge armadas of heavy bombers droned overhead. This was it, the long-awaited invasion had begun and we were going to be part of it!"




Jack Chinell with crew members Gord Hammel, Tom Harvey and Lloyd Bunce ready for their next operation. This is the crew who arrived at RAF Hartford Bridge, via Camberley station, on 5th June '44. Just in time for D day! Their arrival described in POTD a couple of days ago...



In fact all the previous day on the 5th, although they didn't know about it, preparations for the invasion had been proceeding at a furious pace. On the ground there was feverish activity; aircraft crews had got to the state where they were double checking things they had already checked, such was their keenness to ensure that everything was absolutely ready. The first indication that things were underway was when G/Capt MacDonald called the entire base together and speaking to a hushed audience said : "Gentlemen, from this moment Hartford Bridge is on standby. You are confined to quarters." The invasion of Europe was about to begin.

Les Walker, Air Gunner with 88 Squadron, recalled the events for me: "The airfield was placed on a 24-hour standby and we had to report our whereabouts to our superiors ands the airfield was cut off from the outside world. We were not permitted to contact anyone off the airfield.

On a number of our recent flights we had seen many unidentified structures and formations including the Mulberry Harbour, various and numerous types of landing craft and huge convoys of vehicles for miles and miles. Late evening on the 5th saw the smoke cylinders being installed in the aircraft and white stripes painted on the aircraft fuselage and wings. All the messes were closed at 18:00 and there was intense anticipation. At midnight all crews were called to a briefing and the atmosphere by this time was electric. This was enhanced by the continual noise of a vast stream of glider-towing aircraft as they passed overhead.

.....D DAY had arrived".




The time has come. Group Captain MacDonald addressing RAF Hartford Bridge's crews prior to D Day. "Gentlemen, from this moment Hartford Bridge is on standby...." The invasion of Europe was about to begin.



Life today has its problems, back in '44 life had serious challenges for all...

PB