PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

Having an interesting collection of computer troubles at the moment, Firefox has crashed and showing no immediate hope, Photobucket from whence our POTD material refuses to let me 'share' photos. Will have to use my battered old laptop for future POTD's until the main machine is fixed.. POTD may not appear for a couple of days as the schedule is a bit on the tight side.. Would suggest that you take a look at Flyboy's latest - The Avro Anson at Blackbushe Airport if you've not already done so..

PB

[PB]

02/09/17

POTD off the air this weekend..

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
05/09/17


Still here, but desk top still suffering and confounded expert advice to date. POTD on a quick return via very ancient laptop and ancient Windows OS.. but we're here!

Just one image on this grey September morning..


TG505, Hastings ex 202 Squadron for T5 conversion by Airwork. US Navy hangar roof in backgrounnd.. 1959



Back soon....I hope!
PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
06/09/17


More by luck than judgement the desk top problems of the past week have been resolved. The stress levels certainly can become quite high when a computer refuses to play, you don't know why or what to do about it..made worse when folks "who know about there things" can't help either! Even Photobucket's stubborn refusal to wake up cured at the same time..

So, it's September, a month of memories, some good - some not so good.




September 1st, 1958. Navy Sea Hawk about to end its career at Blackbushe...



Quote from the Telegraph, "Rear-Admiral Roger Dimmock, who has died aged 78, had a narrow escape when the aircraft he was flying malfunctioned and crashed at the Farnborough Air Show; he later became Flag Officer Naval Air Command.
On September 1 1958 Dimmock, then 23, flew his Sea Hawk jet-fighter in a formation of seven aircraft of 800 Naval Air Squadron putting on a display at the show. Having taken off from the carrier Ark Royal, they had successfully demonstrated precision landing and take-off, and performed a perfect loop-the-loop, when a fire warning light showed in Dimmock’s cockpit, and he calmly asked for permission to peel off. He skilfully guided his burning aircraft away from the airfield towards Blackbushe airfield. Twenty thousand spectators watched as it roared over the busy A30 and suddenly nosedived."

Journalistic stuff...!!

In the early Eighties, Dimmock commanded the Naval Air Station, Culdrose, where the Duke of York completed his flying training, and, after the Falklands War, he took command of the veteran carrier Hermes. His last appointment as a captain was as Director of Naval Air Warfare.
As a rear-admiral, Dimmock was Naval Secretary responsible for naval personnel policy and appointments, and in 1987-88 he reached the pinnacle of his career as Flag Officer, Naval Air Command.
In a flying career which spanned 34 years, Dimmock flew more than a score of different types of aircraft, from biplane to jet and helicopter, logged 3,552 flying hours, and made 489 decklandings at sea on five carriers.


Roger Dimmock died in May, 2014.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
07/09/17


Yesterday enjoyably spent at the RHS Wisley Flower Show with my far better half, a location made even more interesting by those navigating the nearby OCK VOR... Today scheduled for Brooklands and some old friends at the BOAC Air Crew Reunion..not to mention visiting what's left of my old friend "RVM"..the wonderful Standard VC10 equipped with four dirty great engines to carry passengers in a 12/99 config. Such a sporty aeroplane..she'd eat hot and high airfields for breakfast, (and lunch - as the temperature rose). T'was Christmas Day 1972 I flew home to the UK aboard "RVM" JFK-LHR at the conclusion of a long round the world trip in the company of a fellow BOAC person who would become the wonderful Mrs Brown a couple of years later.

For today's "POTD" here's the page I created for this month's GABuyer magazine, it's an online production that agreed now was an opportune time to feature Blackbushe in view of the recent 75th Anniversary fun.







Some of the photos will no doubt look familiar!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
08/09/17



Wandering around at Brooklands yesterday confirmed how fast the years are going. Classic British aircraft names that once - seemingly not long ago - held court over our skies, are rapidly descending into the dark recesses of aviation's history books. VC10, Viscount, Vanguard, Viking, and many other notables including the legendary Wellington. Happily at Brooklands they are preserved and restored, or in the process of being restored to 'show' condition... While some rekindled personal memories, the Viking still stikes me as the aeroplane that almost speaks, "Blackbushe" when you look her over.. G-AGRU is currently undergoing a major sprucing up programme and is minus engines right now, but the shape that once occupied every corner of Blackbushe is as good to see today as it ever was. At least to me it is...




The fifties at Blackbushe, the Viking was everywhere, and often almost within touching distance for those who stared from the A30's green verges.




Brooklands G-AGRU yesterday. She flew from Blackbushe in 1958/59 with Hunting-Clan.




All we have at Blackbushe today is a set on Vikings tyres gallantly recovered from where they had been dumped some time before 1960..




The very last visit to Blackbushe from a member of the Vicker's family..July, 1977.




We did recapture the wonderful 'Viking sound' at the 75th this July!



The Viking in flight had a very distinctive sound as did most prop types of the era...sadly that sound is less easy to find in the memory, it's a long time since they rumbled over home while in the Blackbushe traffic pattern..

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
09/09/17



The weekend! Busy week complete, time to think...hmm, a moment to think of Blackbushe past perhaps?

Maybe a new, "You'd never believe it" series?? For example..




Naval encounter, Fleet Air Arm Gannet meets Royals Netherlands Navy Martin Mariner on a suitably wet Blackbushe.



Looking across the airfield today you'd never believe it, but...you'd better!!




At least we had a Catalina at this year's 75th, (Mariners were in short supply)..would never have believed we'd see a "Cat" or anything else when the wreckers ripped the Airport to pieces back in the sixties.



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
10/09/17


"Don't Look Back in Anger"... Words that rose above Manchester last night.

Slip inside the eye of your mind
Don't you know you might find
A better place to play?
You said that you'd never been
But all the things that you've seen
They slowly fade away


The first verse of the Oasis offering almost fits the Blackbushe picture?

You look at the airfield today and know in your mind's eye it could be a better place..it certainly used to be! Many have never seen the 'real' Blackbushe, their youth and all that, but for those who saw it fade away long ago we know it could be a 'better place' in the collective 'minds eye'..




It's hard not to look back in anger! Resident Viscount G-AODG taxies across her once huge Blackbushe home apron..still easily found in the 'eye of the mind'.



Maybe one day Blackbushe will become an oasis for aeroplanes, a better place than today?

The wheels are turning in that direction..(slowly).

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
11/09/17



The Officers of Hampshire County in wonderful Winchester will have found my Representation with regard to the deregistration of Common waiting for them this morning, hopefully joining forces with those already submitted by our forum members.. Resorting to hope is the next immediate course of action!

Just one photo selected for today's image, taken from the copius collection contributed by Flyboy..




Two Harvards, and one Meteor. Also the east end of the Terminal. You know, the bit that the Hampshire County bureaucrats destroyed..



We can but hope they have a better informed view toward Blackbushe in the 21st Century...

21st Century, sounds so futuristic still! The minds eye sees airfields with super sleek quiet aeroplanes speeding business people on their way, airfields like perfectly placed Blackbushe might I suggest?



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
12/09/17


Today's photo shows no sign of Blackbushe, but the flight involved originated and terminated there! Caught by the lens of Ron Francis, this Royal Jordanian Air Force Varsity makes a fine study.

I recall "Benjy" Wilmer telling me of King Hussein's links and preference for Blackbushe in the fifties, how he would often use the Airport, and how his Arab Legion Air Force became the well respected Royal Jordanian Air Force. The photo below was probably taken in 1956.








Doves, Vikings, a Marathon, and a Chipmunk were other types that proceeded through Blackbushe for the Arab Legion Air Force from 1953 onwards.

Just another page or two in Blackbushe's history book...

PB