PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
07/09/22

The past couple of days we've looked at the traffic Blackbushe received on the first couple of days of "Farnborough Week" in 1959. The third day, 9th September 1959, was very similar but add some Britannia and Shackleton movements and you'll get the picture. Quite extraordinary for a twelve year old, as I once was, to be able to take a bike ride and within thirty minutes or so have such a scene unfolding from the side of the A30... What was equally extraordinary was that twelve months later this magnificent airport would have been destroyed by politics that had invested in another site for London's second airport..the plan was quite plainly to ensure Blackbushe never hosted another aeroplane movement. However, thanks to the efforts of AVM Bennett, Doug Arnold, BCA, and now the investor group under Sir Peter Ogden's wing Blackbushe has not only survived, but latterly continues to build-up her business traffic movements to the point where the remaining apron fair creaks at the seams as jets and turbo prop aircraft seek Blackbushe's precious tarmac!

I hope you have diarised the important upcoming dates in Blackbushe's September programme?

On 17th September it's the Twilight Runway Challenge raising money for charities and schools in the local area, closing date for entries 15th September. www.twilightchallenge.co.uk/

Tuesday, 20th September, it's the Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee meeting at the Airport's Pathfinder Cafe. Please try and attend, it's a public meeting where you get the chance to fire questions at our local councillors and the Airport Management. Meeting starts at 7pm. www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/consultative-committee

There's more.. on 27th September at 7pm the Blackbushe Heritage Trust will be holding their next 'Volunteers Meeting' whereby all who are interested in the plan to bring a Viking airliner back to Blackbushe are welcome to attend, and hopefully sign-up! www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/


Don't forget, the Blackbushe Heritage Trust have a great selection of merchandise on sale....






Our super mugs are on sale at the Pathfinder Cafe, something everyone who thinks fondly of Blackbushe should own!!


To see our full range of merchandise click this link... www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/merchandise



That's the 17th, 20th, and 27th.. three dates we'll be hoping to see you at Blackbushe!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
08/09/22

06.00 Precipitation a plenty once more, nature appears to be addressing the scorched lawn policy of the past weeks?

Hopefully conditions will improve as the day matures making the day doable for aviators at the smaller end of the flying spectrum? Talking of light aviation and leaving the ground, did you know that today is the anniversary of the first recorded cross-country flight in the United Kingdom? T'was early in the morning of this day, 8th September back in 1909, that Samuel Cody flew for 1 hour and 3 minutes covering a distance of 46 miles, a journey that encompassed Aldershot, Camberley, Fleet and Farnham originating from the grassy area known as Farnborough Common. One area of Common Land where aviation has thrived, the subject that continues to thwart popping up some hangars at Blackbushe....Cross country flying in the UK had started!!

Looking further into today in aviation, it was on this day in 1927 that the Cessna company was established, in 1944 the first German V-2 rockets struck London and Antwerp, and in 1997 Boeing rolled out what was the longest airliner to be built, the Boeing 777-300 at 242ft (73m). The A340-600 claimed the title a few years later in 2001.

Talking of Common Land, Farnborough Airport has occupied Farnborough Common way back to the days of Cody and his historic endeavours to beat gravity. Blackbushe Airport has operated on Common since 1942, 80 years as celebrated back in the summer. Blackbushe continues to operate as a General Aviation centre but as with ANY airfield, it needs its infrastructure! Must be time for the parties who hold knives to the throat of progress at Blackbushe to realise the benefits the land offers as an airfield operating as it does, the potential it holds for additional employment and support of the local economy, and how much pleasure people increasingly derive from Blackbushe as an airport. General Aviation continues to contribute to our national GDP - to the tune of some £4billion in 2021 and supporting 40,000 jobs. While General Aviation airfields in the south are increasingly at risk of development into housing estates, Blackbushe is the one rare aviation bird where NO plans exist for housing, just a General Aviation airfield... After 60 years of adversity it's surely about time the authorities understood her benefits and loosened the grip they have around progress at this supremely suitable site for aviation?




Long ago. A Bristol Freighter and a Viking relax abeam Eagle's superb hangar located on Blackbushe's acres south of the A30...




A moment frozen from the fifties. The Blackbushe apron while in the background assorted US Navy aircraft indicate the importance of the airfield to the US military prior to 1960.




..and there she is nowadays. A super General Aviation site, surrounded by open spaces and environmentally without question a 'natural' airfield where for eighty years aviation has been conducted in all its forms! Military, commercial, training...oh and gliding and parachuting!


Have a good day...

PB

[PB]

Thursday, 8th September, 2022

On this saddest of days, I'm sure our members will join me in marking the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II. The nation has lost an inspirational and devoted leader who served for over 70 years and oversaw 15 prime ministers, life will be 'different' without her calm, dignified, and inspirational leadership. May she rest in eternal peace.



Happier times, Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip depart Blackbushe Airport aboard a Viking of the Queen's Flight.

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
10/09/22

As the nation reflects upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, indeed the whole world shares the grief and significance of this loss, the Elizabethan era felt secure and 'endless', that Charles would be King was something for the future and a time that somehow would always be many years away. Chants of "God save the King" coming from yesterday's gathered crowds reminded of old movies as dwellers of long bygone ages greeted their monarch. King Charles takes us back to school days and history lessons! But, time has moved on, too fast for some, the time has come for Charles to take the throne and perhaps a modernised monarchy will follow? Great Britain, and her society, have undergone seismic changes during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, it's interesting to reflect on how change will continue to manifest itself although sadly some of us of a certain age may not be privvy to a great deal of it!

What "POTD" is tempted to say at this stage is that we must hope that during the reign of Charles III Blackbushe Airport will see the light of common sense amid the varied and localised politics that for 85% of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II saw the Airport tied down, restricted, and opposed by petty politics leaning on laws that stemmed from the age of Henry VIII... Such is beyond the say of our Monarchy today, but what nonsense that this superbly prospective airfield has had to suffer 'the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune'. 'To be, or not to be', the Airport has bravely 'taken arms' against her 'sea of troubles', we must hope that before long by 'opposing it will end them'. Thanks to the Bard and Act 3 of Hamlet for helping out, the facts are easy to see so much as they are relevant to Blackbushe Airport today and for the past sixty plus years..



Let us hope most fervently that the next time machinery such as this enters the Blackbushe domain it is intent on construction not destruction...


Our hopes and good wishes go to the owners of Blackbushe Airport for the future we all wish to see, our hopes and good wishes equally extend to King Charles III for a long and happy reign as Great Britain and the Commonwealth look to him for leadership and inspiration.

God save the King!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
11/09/22

The solemnity of present times is exacerbated by today's date..'nine-eleven' as it has become known. United Airlines flights 93 and 175, American Airlines flights 77 and 11, all four unable to reach their destinations due to the bloody minded intervention of Islamic extremists. United 165 and American 11 struck the Twin Towers, United 93's flight ended in a field in Pennsylvania, American 77 struck the Pentagon. Thousands died as a result, a terrible stain on humanity at it's absolute worst.

On this quiet and peaceful September Sunday as early morning mist clings to the scene beyond my window and the nation continues to mourn the loss of our noble Queen, we can but hope that the world becomes a more tolerant place where understanding and harmony can make their presence felt. Gifted such a wonderful planet, it's all we have.

On more local terms, we fervently hope that 'peace' will come to Blackbushe in so much as this great airfield reaches a position whereby the necessary infrastructure provision meets understanding from the bodies who otherwise have delayed her development for six decades.




So many young men flew from Blackbushe, then known as RAF Hartford Bridge, in war and laid down their lives for the peace many of us enjoy today..




Peace. Some of the many Vikings based at Blackbushe in the glorious fifties as they made air travel affordable and available to post-war Britain.




A sign of the times. Our effort to ensure that the fortitude of Blackbushe's airlines, and her great past, are clearly remembered by all who pass this way...



Wishing you a peaceful Sunday..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
12/09/22







PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
13/09/22

During this period of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we must not lose our focus on the future.

Work continues in respect of the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's noble endeavours to return a Vickers Viking airliner to Blackbushe Airport. HM the Queen flew from Blackbushe aboard a Viking of the Queen's Flight in the company of Prince Philip, the Viking was the staple airliner used by the majority of this country's independent airlines many of whom were based at Blackbushe. The efforts to return a Viking to Blackbushe are wholly appropriate from the perspectives of history and our national aviation heritage.

This is your chance to become involved with this very worthy project, why not join us at Blackbushe's Pathfinder Cafe at 7pm on the evening of 27th September? A meeting open to all, refreshments will be available, and perhaps you would care to add your name to our team of enthusiastic volunteers... You'll meet the Trustees, hear an update on the Viking project, where we are, and an update on where we're going..







On 17th September the "Twilight Runway Challenge" is taking place in the evening. Full details here www.twilightchallenge.co.uk/ If you wish to participate and help raise money for local schools and good causes - it's still not too late.


September 20th witnesses another important date that you would be welcome to attend at the Pathfinder Cafe. At 7pm the Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee meet for one of their two annual public meetings. Again, you are welcome to attend and hear the latest from Airport Management and representatives of the various local councils who have an interest in their surroundings. There will be a public "Questions" during which you are invited to ask a question of the gathered representatives. Details of the BACC and their meetings may be found here www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/consultative-committee


I hope to see to a good turn out of Viking and Blackbushe supporters at the above events, hopefully I'll be able to say "Hello", health issues have rather slowed my activities of recent but the show must go on!

Finally, on the day of the funeral of our late Queen, 19th September, 2022, Blackbushe Airport and the Pathfinder Cafe will be closed. The Airport gates will be locked.




Once again, an historic moment as our late Queen prepared to depart Blackbushe Airport aboard a Viking of the Queen's Flight.


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
14/09/22

Various issues today hence running a 'better late than never' service..




Chocks away!! A Viking moment from long ago. VP-YKK from Central African Airways, December 1958, for delivery to Blackbushe based Pegasus Airlines as G-AHPL. Blackbushe giving her characteristic impression of a wild and rugged place.. Conversion work executed by Eagle Airways.



Blackbushe being built on the wide open expanse of Hartford Bridge's heathland proved to be the absolute ideal location for an airfield. 80 years later, it still is...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
15/09/22

During the period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II as the she rests to allow a precious moment in her company for the thousands who are and have lined up to say their "Farewells" the nation is for once united in its expression of thanks and gratitude to the Monarch whose life has been an undoubted inspiration to the vast majority of those for whom the British Isles are home.

We should not forget that it was this day, 15th September, that was destined to become known as "Battle of Britain Day". On this date in 1940 the tide of war turned. While the enemy attacked our land with ever greater numbers of aircraft and bombs, the young pilots of the Royal Air Force rose to this threat and while grossly outnumbered inflicted defiant and sufficient damage on the Luftwaffe's moral to change the course of war. Germany had failed to annihilate the Royal Air Force, Hitler cancelled the invasion of Britain. Thank God. It was so closely fought.

The war was far from over, but we had gained the necessary foothold from which to seek total victory.

Our thoughts must be shared by those young men who rose from the RAF fighter stations of southern England on this day in 1940.




A moment from the legendary film, "The Battle of Britain", our thoughts and thanks today also belong to the young pilots who on this day 82 years ago turned the tide of war.



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
16/09/22

History is often made as a result of tragedy or the unfolding of events that follow a tragedy. Such, surely, is the case today as many thousands line the streets of London taking their turn to pass by HM The Queen as she lies in state at Westminster until Monday. This national outpouring of grief indicates that the word "united" still plays a very important role in the United Kingdom, it is to be hoped this remains the case when politicians regain the stage..

I am hugely grateful to Tim Griffiths in Australia for information he has very recently sent to me regarding Princess Elizabeth, AVM Bennett, and the Pathfinders. Tim is compiling a book on the life of AVM Bennett and it has been my pleasure to provide him with personal anecdotes of my time in association with and working for the AVM. Tim is closely associated with the Bennett family in Australia and he will be passing my personal accounts to them. Tim has known the Bennett family since he was at school, and was twelve years old when he met the AVM. In appreciation of the great endeavours made by Bennett during the years when he fought to save Blackbushe airfield from final desolation, Tim's book will include strong focus on the years without which there would be no Blackbushe Airport today.


The following link recalls a ceremonial visit to the Pathfinders at RAF Oakington in July, 1944.


rafpathfinders.com/2022/09/09/remembering-our-queen-1926-2022/
HM The King, the Queen and Princess Elizabeth during the Oakington visit. An RAF hat behind the Queen is thought to be that of AVM Bennett!



The ceremonial visit to RAF Oakington in July, 1944. The Queen Consort, Princess Elizabeth, and AVM Bennett.



As the wheels of history relentlessly turn, wishing you a peaceful day..

PB