PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
12/02/23

One little spark can lead to all manner of eventualities, the moment AVM "Pathfinder" Bennett secured the ownership of 365 acres of what had previously been the airport second only to London's aerodrome at Hounslow the course of life changed for many people. Instead of becoming yet another area of wild and unkempt heath the aerodrome on the Hartford Bridge plateau was given a new lease of life. That spark in 1962 lit the flames of the battle of Blackbushe, her resident flying schools, Aerobility and the joy brought to their disabled members who have soared into the freedom of the skies, private owners, and businesses, increasingly frequent business aircraft movements, the Pathfinder, movie makers, early British drag racing, and even the car auction site, all owe their Blackbushe connections to that moment long ago when the AVM secured the freehold deeds.

Sadly Blackbushe was destined to be virtually destroyed following the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation's evacuation, but with Bennett's determination to save what had been and was and is a national asset, this perfectly situated airfield was given a new lease of life. With this brave stance commenced the past six decades of fun and frustration. The Airport is now under its fourth ownership since the 1960 closure and perhaps teeters on the closest yet to finding a solution to the problems that have stymied any real progress toward developing the General Aviation centre envisaged by the AVM back in 1962.




A moment in time. We celebrated Blackbushe's 75th back in 2017. The weather was kind, it usually is for our events, some of our warbirds gathered for the occasion..




History unfurls, a 16 Squadron Spitfire taxies in! 16 Squadron were resident in wartime and conducted much of the photo recce work across the Channel prior to the D-Day invasion. It's possible that this MkXI PR Spitfire might return for 3rd June this year, the next Blackbushe Open Day. In these colours this actual Spitfire did serve with 16 Squadron, but not until after they'd moved in to Europe as the war effort progressed.




The winter of 62/63. Our first hangar! Len Webb renovated a nissen hut adjacent to the forest at the airfield's north western extreme and his Hornet Moth G-AMZO found a snug new home. The area now obliterated by the car auction premises, but back then it was a silent, lonesome place where the wind sighed through the forest and one felt for the souls who lived and died here during WW2. The A30 was much quieter back then, those early days and in the great freeze of that winter really made you feel far from civilisation as you tramped through the silent snow. I found it quite a spiritual experience, but perhaps the past sixty years have been akin to that?




No less than seventy aircraft flew into Blackbushe in October, 1962, for the Great Re-opening Air Display. That was a spiritual experience as what had been a deserted airfield in one morning seemingly filled with aeroplanes of all types - with a rip roaring air show in the afternoon.. Magic.




Looks familiar. Sixty years later at the Blackbushe 80th, de havilland designs remain as beautiful as ever...




Dear old Blackbushe, gave one the chance to put on some shows....




Memories of these days when the old push bike and I spent happy hours inhaling the Blackbushe spirit will always haunt with their recall of Blackbushe's capability!



Now in 2023 there is no doubt that the spark lit by AVM Bennett in 1962 still burns brightly, indeed the everlasting flame of Blackbushe burns brightly, having proven impossible to extinguish by those who once tried to hose their adversity across her precious acres.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
13/02/23

Today's "POTD" sees 'yesterday' and 'tomorrow' at Blackbushe brought together as moves toward returning an historic aeroplane to the Airport take a step closer. As you know, the Blackbushe Heritage Trust was formed last year with the prime intent of returning a Viking airliner to this airport that probably has more association with the type than any other.

An initial visit to the aircraft to assess the task of returning it to the UK has been of prime importance, and this was carried out by two of our technical Trustees last week.






Full details of the Trust's activity are always available on the website www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/ but for today there follows the report resulting from last week's technical visit in order to get to know G-AGRW somewhat better and establish the level of challenges that await.. Below is the report from our Trustees who made the trip to Vienna.


"On 6th and 7th February a small group including trustees Pat Marchant and Mark Griffiths travelled to Vienna to carry out a technical survey of ‘our’ Viking G-AGRW. It was well timed as the weather had improved that morning after a slow moving winter storm had passed through over the preceding few days. It was still cold with temperatures not getting much above zero deg C for the two days but we were blessed with clear skies and lots of sunshine.

The journey by car from Vienna International Airport to Bad Voslau takes around 40 minutes and after a 7am flight from Heathrow got us there for lunchtime. The airfield is one of the busiest for general aviation in Austria with a number of resident flight training organisations both fixed wing and rotary. The museum is very much a flying collection with two beautiful Boeing Stearman, a Super Cub and a number of gliders and long term restoration projects underway. The building was constructed by the Germans in WW2, a firing range used to calibrate machine guns on Messerschmitt Bf109s, there is lots of evidence of rogue bullets hitting the walls. The team of volunteers is lead by passionate aviators Andreas, Benno and Franz who have had a lifetime in aviation starting out flying gliders in the 1960s.

As expected the aircraft is in a fairly poor state having been battered by the weather during the last 10 years. A storm in 2014 literally ripped off the tail and this lies beside the aircraft. The main spar has been partly cut which we believe occurred during the relocation from Vienna airport to the McDonalds at Schwechat in 1999. The horizontal stabiliser spar has been removed to fit an air conditioning unit hence the sagging that is clearly visible from the photos. There is just a few rivets holding this vital piece on making it look far more anhedral than it should be.

There is very little evidence of the original interior with fibre board surrounds painted with bright colours. These will be removed before we transport her back to the UK. Nothing remains in the cockpit except the basic frame in the nose. There are numerous cut pipes which would have carried air to the airspeed indicator, altimeter and other instruments.

The next step is a trustees meeting on Thursday where we hope to have more of an idea on costings - we have been quoted by a local Austrian crane hire firm for a weeks rental for €16,000! When the time comes to disassemble and prepare the aircraft for transport we will need a dedicated team to carry this out in Austria. Our target is to set aside 7 days, hoping to complete by day 5 and then have 2 extra days for contingency. It will be quite a challenge with long days and issues to overcome but it will be hugely satisfying. At present we are looking at the end of April at the earliest but many things need to come together before we can make firm plans, the transport company, crane hire, and access to the site etc. Included are a number of photos taken during our visit. We look forward to providing a more comprehensive update at the supporters meeting this Thursday 16th February which will follow Rob Belchers talk".



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
14/02/23


Valentines Day has arrived! Not delivering red roses, or any other gifts that might be associated with the day's activities...

... but perhaps you might care to open this link, something to bring joy to your heart!! www.blackbusheairday.com/


Following the success of last year's Air Day Blackbushe Airport are following up with another Air Day and Fly-In, an event bigger and better where aircraft and participants are already booking their attendance. The link gives full details regarding visiting by air, free landings and entry for all - plus goody bags of Blackbushe merchandise and vouchers for future use at the Pathfinder for aircraft entered into the 'static aircraft park' - classic vehicles, exhibiting, and where your help will again be priceless by volunteering.




Just one of last year's many visitors and participants in the 2022 Air Day. We must hope that June this year will deliver the same weather it gave us for last year's Air Day and Fly-In.. as well as another abundant crop of wonderful flying machines!!



The Air Day website also includes the very straightforward slot booking form for visitors arriving by air.. www.blackbusheairday.com/visiting-by-air


There will be fun and games for all the family, with a static aircraft display, food, drinks, live entertainment, a history hub and trade stalls. Air experience flights on Scillonia Airway’s Dragon Rapide and Adventure 001’s Jet Ranger Helicopter will again be on hand.

However your Valentine's Day goes, hopefully the news regarding Blackbushe's special day in June will leave you with a warm and rosy feeling...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
15/02/23

Tomorrow evening witnesses the next Blackbushe Heritage Trust evening at Blackbushe's Pathfinder Cafe. Rob Belcher will be delivering his presentation on Blackbushe at war, after which the Trustees will be giving an update on the progress toward toward returning Viking G-AGRW back to the UK backed up by the findings of two technical Trustees who made an opportune dash to Austria for a very quick structural assessment of the aeroplane prior to a more detailed visit in the near future...

This morning "POTD" returns to wartime mode thinking of Rob's lecture tomorrow evening. Stuart Marshall's writings and research into Blackbushe's war days have left a precious collection of memories gained from air crew and ground crew. Stuart rightly felt that the details from his research and meetings should be preserved for the benefit of future generations showing the courage and sacrifices made by those to whom we thank for the freedom that resulted from the conclusion of World War Two.

"POTD" will over the coming weeks refer to some of the many communications and contacts Stuart made in his quest for first hand accounts of life at RAF Hartford Bridge. The first two follow now...


Letter from H.J. Jimmy Abrahams 13.11.94. Weapon Operator/Air Gunner. 107 Squadron, Bostons.

I believe Hartford Bridge was one of the first airfields to have FIDO installed, although we as aircrew, did not think it very successful as 'fog dispersal', but more of a 'landmark' (the glare of the flames shining through the gloom as we returned to base!!)



Letter from Doug Adams, July 1994. Pilot. 264 Squadron Mosquito Night Fighters.

No 264 Squadron of which I was a pilot member was based at RAF Hartford Bridge for the period 15.5.44 to 28.7.44 in the southwest corner of the field and living in tents about three fields up from the cross roads just west of the field. On evening just after D Day a S/Ldr Alwell who with his radar crew member, P/O Fergusson was awarded the DFC for shooting down 3 out of 5 FW190's that were attacking our shipping at the beaches.



Letters from Jimmy Armstrong, August-September 1994. Flight Sergeant Weapon Operator Air Gunner 226 Squadron. B-25 Mitchells.

This is the first of three letters from Jimmy.

I was stationed at Hartford Bridge from May 44 to Sept 44 and just missed out on seeing General Eisenhower (when he visited the airfield on 18t April) I did however have the chance to speak to his Majesty King George VI and the Queen Elizabeth who thought I was of Polish descent because of my Geordie accent and blond hair. She laughed when I told her that I lived near Newcastle on Tyne. As per usual the event took place in the middle of the airfield and was quite informal.

(The King and Queen held an investiture at the airfield on 12th July 44 Ed.)


Further letters from Jimmy in due course.




King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the July 1944 investiture at RAF Hartford Bridge.



Below is a plan of RAF Hartford Bridge's quarters accommodation, administration, sick quarters etc... Photographed this morning from a rather crumpled site plan, you can see the end of the main runway on the airfield's eastern end from which you can judge the very extensive area stretching to the northeast that was contained within the jurisdiction of Royal Air Force Hartford Bridge. Taking this, the rest of the airfield north of the A30, the airfield south of the A30 plus the extension northwest of the airfield where the bomb dump and weaponry were located, the RAF baser known as Hartford Bridge covered a lot of ground. No wonder personnel were issued with bikes to get around...







Meanwhile, the business of this year's Blackbushe Air Day is gather momentum, aeroplanes are already booking in, it's going to be a fun day!! June 3rd, don't forget.. www.blackbusheairday.com/


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
16/02/23"



One of Blackbushe's forlornly disused runways, the old 14/32 that holds many memories for so many people through both war and peace. Walking its silent length it's easy to imagine its use when the wind blew from the northwest or southeast, four engined heavies or the light aeroplanes that used it in the latter years before it was closed. Like all of Blackbushe history lies under every inch..



Yesterday "POTD" launched a new series whereby we read letters and reports from log books and conversations following Stuart Marshall's diligent research into the history of the airfield and the people who were a part of it in those days of war. There follows another letter received from Air Gunner Jimmy Armstrong of 226 Mitchell Squadron. Hopefully this new series is of interest, do let me know via a comment here..
blackbusheairport.proboards.com/board/268/potd-comments




A further letter from Flight Sergeant Jimmy Armstrong...Air Gunner 226 Squadron

On one night raid I volunteered for I acted as a spotter. It involved only one aircraft and I had to lie on my stomach at the tail of the plane and count the number of flashes when we dropped our bombs. Having done so, as we set off back to base from my vantage point I spotted a German fighter. We immediately took evasive action by diving into the clouds. As you may know all Allied planes carried a small box which contained IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) equipment. This emitted a signal which could be received by our own fighters, much to my joy, because when we came out of the clouds low and behold so did another aircraft. I recognised this to be a Mosquito and he flashed a 'V' sign in morse code with the huge searchlight in the nose of his aircraft. We knew then that w would be safely escorted across the Channel.



A moment from 226 Squadron's days of action flying from RAF Hartford Bridge..



Looking forward to seeing you at tonight's talk at the Pathfinder Cafe at Blackbushe. Rob Belcher talks of Blackbushe at war followed by an update by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust as to the programme to return Viking G-AGRW to Blackbushe and restoration. Starts at 7pm admission by ticket only (£10) although perhaps room for a few more..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
17/02/23

Sell out! That was last light's gathering at Blackbushe's Pathfinder Cafe for Rob Belcher's excellent talk on the Hartford Bridge at war theme.. Full house, and an evening enjoyed by all. Rob's talk and power point presentation was followed up by Pat Marchant's appraisal of the recent essential trip to Austria for a technical assessment of G-AGRW necessary before the project proceeds further. Indeed, it is now envisaged that the Viking will make her way to Blackbushe around the end of April beginning of May period with hopes to have her on her wheels by the time of this year's Blackbushe Open day on June 3rd.




G-AGRW during the recent rushed trip to inspect her important bits..




Rob Belcher ready for action last night and his "RAF Hartford Bridge at War" presentation...




Last night's packed Pathfinder eager to know more of our airfield's yesterdays and her incredible history.




Rather grainy as ambitiously cropped, but Rob's WW2 models on show, models that depict some of the types of aircraft that made their homes at Blackbushe/Hartford Bridge during those decisive years. Note a bicycle is included, that most essential mode of transport during the war. In those days the base was quite massive, one of the largest, bikes were precious and suffered a degree of theft accordingly!




Now our own return to the past, the last of three letters sent to Stuart Marshall by Flight Sergeant Jimmy Armstrong of Hartford Bridge's B-25 equipped 226 Squadron..

The other raid that I vividly recall was to be my last. Our target was to be a concentration of tanks in a wood. It was a Sunday evening and the full squadron took part, 18 aircraft in formations of 6. We were flying number 4 in the middle formation. No sooner had we dropped our bombs when we were met by a huge salvo of anti-aircraft fire, both light and heavy in the shape of a shoe box. All aircraft scattered to avoid this terrifying bombardment. Being in the mid upper turret I could see everything and because we were in the middle of the formation we were literally blasted. Everything I could see I reported to 'Mac' (F/O McQueen) my pilot. Part of the tail was gone and aviation fuel was streaming out of the port wing. I suggested that we bail out but he quickly told me that we would be blown into enemy lines (and we al knew that they took no prisoners, you were shot before you landed). He also said he could see a landing strip - and despite having a runaway propeller which couldn't be feathered, the other engine rapidly giving up, with no undercarriage and flaps - he was going to attempt to land. H told the other gunner and myself to take up crash positions. I had always been told that the mid upper turret was the strongest part of the plane but I decided to sit on the floor and brace myself ready for the touchdown which I knew would be a belly landing. 'Mac' put it down about half way down the strip which was just wire mesh laid down for the use of American fighter squadron (Tomahawks). At a speed of which must have been about 200mph we tore down this bit of mesh and over numerous tree stumps and into a ditch. When we finally stopped I sat up and bumped my head on a tree trunk, the size of a telegraph pole. The I could see 'Eddie', the mid upper gunner with blood streaming down his face. One of the guns had some up and hit him between the eyes. I shouted to him that the plane was on fire and that there was a hole in the side of the plane to his right and to feel his way out. It was then that I saw my own predicament. The mid upper turret had collapsed and if I had remained in it I would have been decapitated by the two .5 Brownings. These guns plus a mass of pipes and wires barred my way to the hole in the aircraft's side and the tree trunk barred my way to the escape hatches at the back of the plane. I must have used super human strength to clear the debris so that I could reach the hole that 'Eddie' had gone through. As I clambered through in my parachute harness which I still had on, snagged on the side of the plane and I had to cut myself free with a knife made from a bayonet given to me by a Dutch naval airman and I scrambled up the blazing bank side of the ditch. With parachute hanging down my legs I raced across a field to get as far away as possible from the blazing wreckage. At the same time I as being chased by two American soldiers with a stretcher. When they caught me they asked me why I hadn't stopped to which I replied, 'There are 6000 rounds of .5 ammo in there'!. They must have had a laugh to themselves chasing an airman with a dangling parachute and the seat of his trousers hanging down. I was taken to a medical tent where I met 'Mac' who had received some burns while helping Jack Watson our navigator out of the plane. We were put into a cubicle and told to strip ready for examination. Ca you imagine our embarrassment when a lady doctor appeared!! Jack and Eddie went to a field hospital for treatment, Jack had injuries to his ligamnets in one leg and Eddie had a broken nose but his eyes were alright which was very good news to me having seen what he was like in the plane. A plane eventually arrived to take 'Mac' and I back to base. 'Mac' was packed off to a burns hospital and I was given the option of hospital or sick leave. Needless to say I took the sick leave!!




Having been blessed with logging some flying time in the B-25s that came to Blackbushe in the 1970s and taking into account the reports and experiences of the crews that repeatedly took them into hostile skies under the most arduous conditions, respect for the likes of Jimmy cannot be raised high enough. We will never know 'what it was like' but flying in these wonderful but incredibly noisy aeroplanes was the first lesson in perhaps appreciating what they did.. Only they know.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
18/02/23

Looks like a bit a bit of a grey day beyond the window this morning...some colour is needed!


PH-SFH by wokinghampaul
Thanks once again to Paul Phillips for sending us some colour in the shape of yet another PC-12 taking advantage of the benefits of Blackbushe! It's very rewarding to see the name Blackbushe attached to arrivals and departures from airports across Europe.



Following yesterday's "POTD" and Flight Sergeant Jimmy Armstrong's letter to Stuart Marshall detailing his last flight you will recall mention of his pilot 'Mac', Pilot Officer McQueen. For the record here is the entry from Jimmy's Log Book accounting for that flight..

Log Book Entry.

6.8.44. Mitchell FW171, Pilot - F/O McQueen, Self - Air Gunner, Ramrod Tank Harbour 6 miles S.E Thury-Harcourt, Very intense heavy accurate Flak.

Crash landed on beach-head S. of Bayeux, A/C burnt, Crew sustained only injuries. Flying Time, Day, 1hr.50



Next time extracts from letters received by a pilot of 305 (Polish) Squadron. Mosquitos.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
19/02/23

Another week starts, a week nearer to Spring, a week nearer to the moment when we can honestly say after just sixty three years that a Viking is inbound to Blackbushe from the Continent! OK, so it flew out last time it was here, this time it won't exactly be flying but we will have taken the first major steps in securing one aeroplane that for years to come will speak on behalf of her many forerunners and their stance for British civil aviation's growth at Blackbushe Airport.




A long while since a Viking was inbound to Blackbushe...



Before the days of civil operations Blackbushe was home, as you know, to very extensive military operations. "POTD" often looks back and asks that we give a thought to the young men who gave all they had flying from here, too many failed to return, but to most of us today the images of those days are largely dependent on our imagination. Imagination backed up by photos, many of which have been shared via the "POTD" pages. However, Rob Belcher, famed for his book writing, talks on Blackbushe, and for being a generally good bloke passed on details of some unique video sequences of aircrews, Bostons and Mitchells at Blackbushe - RAF Hartford Bridge as it was at the time. I believe some of the sequences were shot at Dunsfold, but as a few minutes of stepping back in time these minutes are the best I've seen for giving a feel of what those wartime days were about, ground crew and air crew as if we really had stepped back in time. film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/1555. I found watching these minutes in the past profoundly moving..



Boston days at Blackbushe, seeing them via movie sequences made a big difference..



Staying with days of valour, another letter received by Stuart Marshall follows:-


21.5.94 A letter from Eric Atkins DFC and Bar, Polish Cross of Valour and Bar. Pilot, Flt Lt 305(Polish) Squadron, Mosquitos.

On October 30th, 1944, 305 Squadron moved to Hartford Bridge. When we were stationed there the invasion was well advanced and 305 were pushing ahead on through Holland and to the borders of Germany itself. Due to my previous navigator, Robbie Robinson, having burst his ear drums I now had a Polish navigator Jurek Mayer. I spoke no Polish and he had command of English except when he was excited - very often!!

October 31st, 1944, Night, Mosquito 'M', 2hrs 15 duration.

Antwerp was captured on 4th September, but enemy garrisons on Walcheren prohibited use of the deep water harbour by dominating the Scheld Estuary. The October weather was bad and the Canadian push toward Walcheren was held up.Robbie and I had already made raids on the Breskins Ferry and Flushing area on 5th and 11th September at night. The when attacking barges on the Neuzen Canal, our aircraft 'M' was hit and the port engine caught fire. We flew back to Manston on one engine and landed safely. Other attacks were made on 26th September and on 16th October with good results.

November 2nd 1944, Night, Mosquito 'M' 3hrs 20 duration.

This was a patrol into the heart of Germany to cause havoc on the roads and railways - Wesel, Dusseldorf, Munchen. Just outside Dusseldorf we caught a train. It must have been important because the flak was intense. We had to come round twice to find a break and a good bombing run. I think my bombs exploded alongside the train - I was a bit too eager. However, we finished off the attack with a lot of cannon and machine gun fire into the heart of the train. We left a nice fire and things exploding. I thought we had been hit, but everything was alright and we set course back to base, with a sharp look out for fighters. We were over the Ruhr area and any lull in flak could mean enemy fighters in the vicinity! Back at Hartford Bridge we were told we had two days stand down - and did we need it!!


Wishing you a peaceful Sunday!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
20/02/23

Sorry about the no-show of "POTD" this morning. Editorial health problems have intervened.



To keep the wheels turning here's a roadside recollection from days of youthfulness...September, 1955


Back soonest, all being well..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
21/02/23

The show must go on, Day Two.... T'is a long while since I have felt the way I do this morning, some bugs have a remarkable way of taking you over, and this one's doing its best to knock me out!




Remember the Sea Furies that Doug imported from Germany? Used a target tugs during their life in Germany, Doug's target was to flog 'em and make a few quid.. For the record is was on this day in 1945 that the Sea Fury made its first flight...



..and with that, it's bye bye again...

PB