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Post by PB on Jun 18, 2017 7:04:04 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 18/06/17Funny world. Try and get a B-25 and a B-17 together at Blackbushe nowadays. You know, when you really, really want them! Just happened back in the 70's, no effort then...We've had both lined up for the 75th, sadly neither can now appear... Nobody could be more depressed than your scribe over such news, but if you're daft enough to get involved in these things you've gotta take the consequences - some you win, some you lose. These we lost. PB
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Post by PB on Jun 19, 2017 5:17:31 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 19/06/17167 Squadron arrived at RAF Blackbushe in 1945 with their Vickers Warwicks....A technically unreliable aeroplane according to reports, and soon replaced by Avro Ansons. Happily we have an Anson joining us for the 75th, but the Warwick has proven a little more difficult... Passenger accommodation - RAF Warwick style...PB
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Post by PB on Jun 20, 2017 6:51:42 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 20/06/17
Another high speed rush through the POTD nerve centre...
In fact, I can't stop. But, here's a question. What's the latest aircraft pinned down for Blackbushe's 75th static collection?
A clue will be found in today's Forum header photo.
Must go... PB
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Post by PB on Jun 21, 2017 4:52:45 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 21/06/17Today's POTD taken in 1953.... Looking forward to seeing the type return next week!!PB
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Post by PB on Jun 22, 2017 5:00:47 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 22/06/17The big push yesterday to bring the 75th nearer to reality. Your scribes quill showing distinct signs of over use, but working from 04.00 to 23.00 produced the desired results even if tne quill and its user might now look a bit second hand. Happily pulled the Hurricane out of the bag yesterday afternoon closely followed by the great news about the Pembroke's recovery and now heading our way soon. The Heron remains with a ? hanging over one engine - otherwise she'll fly in from Jersey each day. I'll be working on seeking additional aircraft right up to the checkered flag, but this morning's count showed around thirty in the static parks. One type missed out on is the venerable Viking. Not a commercial success for its operators, but in the fifties probably the most common type you'd expect to see on Blackbushe Airport. Here's one of our old faithfuls... G-AIVL in the natural metal colours of BEA early fifties..."IVL" was acquired by Eagle Airways in the mid fifties, becoming one of the many Blackbushe based Vikings. She served Eagle through to the very end when closure of Blackbushe forced all operators to seek a new base. The lazy rumble of Vikings climbing away from Blackbushe was gone... Although not quite, the Viking's Bristol Hercules engine will be at the Blackbushe 75th. Static and mounted on a trailer, it will be doing regular runs during each day of the show..with help from a RR Merlin that's also coming! PB
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Post by PB on Jun 23, 2017 13:07:26 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 23/06/17Last years I was rushed into Frimley Park Hospital with a suspected heart attack two days before the Air Day. Well, here we are a week today and our aircraft start arriving, mid next week structures will be going up, and nearly a year since the Air Day. So whose back in Frimley Park Hospital this morning?? Yes, the very same but not thankfully as a patient - but for an interview on Radio Frimley Park. The last of several air time adventures over the past few weeks... POTD.. A week today.. The Pembroke will be with us on Friday, and no doubt others! Back to work... PB
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Post by PB on Jun 24, 2017 5:00:49 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 24/06/17Morning All... Three hours ago I went to bed, but who needs to sleep? A small number of Forum followers have dropped me a line suggesting the Bristol Airways Beech 18 would be a fitting addition to proceedings next week. Could not agree more in view of the type being Blackbushe based when serving the United States Navy. Sadly, for us, the aircraft is currently flying to the United States and will not be back until our bit of fun at Blackbushe next weekend is resigned to the history books. Sorry to disappoint, but we made all the right noises! It would have been a living link with the long gone days when the US Navy turned a piece of north-east Blackbushe into US occupied territory..The US Navy hangar was an impressive structure - forms back drop in this 1960's view of the apron and our handful of loyal residents.Against all odds Blackbushe has survived. We had no visions of celebrating very many more years back then - let alone 75 years, but we're still here! For how long is in the hands of Hampshire's bureaucracy.. PB
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Post by PB on Jun 25, 2017 5:35:21 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 25/06/17Without elaborating components of an Eagle Viking returned to Blackbushe yesterday. Round, black and with plenty of tread left, two Viking tyres have been repatriated and once cleaned up will appear as 'props' adjacent to the History Hub. The History Hub will be the 75th Anniversary centre for our guests from 'Blackbushe past' and all who wish to know more of the forgotten Blackbushe. Features movies and photos from Blackbushe past, book signings, and much discussion no doubt..manned by a team of Blackbushe people - ex Eagle Airways and Silver City eg, we look forward to a step backwards as we look forwards to next weekend....Capture the history! Two recovered Eagle Viking tyres will be adding atmosphere, shame we cannot offer the rest of the aeroplane...amazing how heavy they proved to be!Rob will be signing his new book, "Blackbushe, London's Lost Airport 1942-1960", a great and historic document. Limited availability, this will be a rare chance to get a copy that's also signed by "HIM".. PB
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Post by PB on Jun 27, 2017 7:04:28 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 27/06/17 Could not get away with it yesterday, the editorial team went swimming - in paper and admin - to the "beyond the joke" location. Some readers noticed the gap provided by no POTD. Editorial apologies, but no refunds.......... Today, the situation is slightly worse as demands for spreadsheets, data, details, answers to a myriad questions are sought, and aeroplanes suddenly create a new gap in the lineup...So, started at 04.30, just to make sure a light dusting of POTD could be sprinkled on the morning's corn flakes..just for my small but perfectly formed POTD avids.. Did I tell you about Saturday's time spent in the woods with Rob? Well, very simply we're going to produce twins - round, messy, and in need a clean up, and both called Dunlop. Yes, two tyres from an Eagle Viking have been brought back from the beyond and will be on show adjacent to the "History Hub" over the weekend. Our special structure dedicated to the airfield's history...75 years of it! The long range weather forecast is looking brighter today...couple of days ago I was convinced the weekend was going to be wet and cold, but this morning the forecast looks much brighter... BBMF under perfect skies to mark the opening of Aerobility's new hangar three or four years ago..Speak soon, enjoy the corn flakes.. PB
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Post by PB on Jun 28, 2017 4:54:10 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 28/06/17Oh my...what a day yesterday was. One or two serious events that could have been bad for our health, but all resolved - very much 11th hour stuff. Losing the Lancaster was bad enough, but it got worse before it got better...things at grass roots took a very unexpected turn in high places, we almost got knocked off our perch. A very long story, but we're OK. The BBMF are doing all they can to replace the Lancaster with something else from the fleet. I eventually got home just before 2200 to start on the days emails that had piled up, and happily managed to pick up another aeroplane for our static collection. Lost a Lancaster, gained a Boeing Stearman subject to final confirmation later today. If you're around on Saturday morning, you might want to scan the skies around 1130. Why? Err, I can't remember! Yesterday, the rains came after weeks of dry weather, hopefully squeezing the moisture from the atmosphere ready for the weekend? It was a bit close for comfort, but I remain reasonably confident that the met will not be a problem.. last night's volunteer briefing was very well attended and a very positive end to a very strange day...and again massive thanks to all who came out on a pretty miserable evening. Good meeting new folk and seeing others from last year's event. Hopefully everybody will have seen a huge change in the way volunteers are looked after!! The 50th!! How different event management is today compared with those much easier days...Soon be placing the 75th aircraft in place..Still hoping that'll she'll be back, still await that test flight report..The US Navy will not be with us, I tried...The Catalina will represent them I guess?Must get on gone 0530 and much to be done....0800 the team to build our first structure arrive, the History Hub will take shape over the next couple of days. It's really rather pleasant now, the months of utter stress, dismay, and some joy are done with. Just got to put the bits together! This morning hope to finalise the flying programme while the History Hub takes shape, along with a few other bits and bobs to sort! Hope to see you all at the weekend... PB
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