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Post by PB on Sept 23, 2017 5:50:57 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
23/09/17I feel nostalgia creep about to take over as it does most days around now... Time to slide back to the hallowed days when Blackbushe Airport truly was an airport. The younger generations find it hard to believe that Blackbushe in her present form was anymore than what it is now, a fairly small airfield with small aeroplanes. The older generations like the Editorial Team here wallow in the past as if it were treacle. Once stuck with it it's hard to shift..that is, of course, if they are able to remember that far back!  RAF Sycamore XH682 arrived a few times during Farnboroughs of the fifties. Rare view on "Blackbushe East" of the US Navy base. Taken near the A30, all untamed waste land today. No jokes about rotor wash today... Mid fifties, Bristol Aeroplane Company's Bristol 171 during Farborough Week. Note the visitors lined up, the Blackbushe Tower in her early form before the new 'top' was fitted, and the early stages of the US Navy hangar's construction..all on BB East ..and another Farnborough Week rotary, 1955. Westland's Whirlwind G-AOCZ resting on Blackbushe "south", ie south of the A30. Final taste of nostalgic treacle, Fairflights Tudor, G-AGRY. Delivered to Blackbushe in September, 1948. Time to get back to 2017... have a good weekend. PB
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Post by PB on Sept 24, 2017 12:01:34 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
24/09/17Just one today, an old friend...  Seen on her latest visit to Blackbushe, sadly today still languishing at Coventry, needs TLC and a good home allowing a graceful retirement..Long ago Blackbushe was home, then very much a working airliner and proud carrier of the EAGLE!! PB
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Post by PB on Sept 25, 2017 6:06:09 GMT
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Post by PB on Sept 26, 2017 6:02:47 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
26/09/17Potentially interesting times ahead for Blackbushe, or maybe not? The current application to deregister a portion of the Common Land upon which Blackbushe resides is stiring up the anticipated reaction from some quarters. I note on social media a few subscribers are asking as to where - and how - they can object to the plan. Objecting without objectivity, or referring to rare wildlife that is found nowhere else (?), or suggestimg that it is a ploy to develop housing. It is entirely possible to understand their fears, but they are all unsubstantiated . Totally. It is strange that the desecration of many acres of the local wild and open spaces by gravel extraction have produced no local out cry... However, if the small part of the Common Land that the Airport wants to deregister is not removed from the registers and the airfield is forced to close as a result who knows what might happen if the land is allowed to become in a similar state to the many acres of Common that surround it at present?? As an airfield it represents potential employment and benefit to the local economy. This is why it is so essential that as many many supportive responses as possible are submitted to Hampshire CC before 8th October.  Our first hangar post 1960...room for one. Our first new build hangars, on a 'temporary' basis...Long gone and now replaced by the car auctioneers. The crows nest. Yes, we built a new 'temporary' stucture some called a control tower (optimism ruled..). Happily no more! A little further east Hampshire County Council showed great respect for the end of the Terminal they commandeered...another example of local indifference. More substantial hangars built by the AVM's endeavours. Sadly, also swallowed by the used motor dealers. Doug Arnold built the first "real" and serious structures for the Airport!!!  What can be done....still in use, but for non-aviation purposes. You can buy a cheap car though..The Blackbushe story rolls on. Only a small part of the whole is involved in the deregistration application, but local stories already are being spread about housing, wildlife, doom and gloom... The sensationalised stories that get put about based on 'fake rumours'. It is up to all who see a future for the airfield in its current operational size to put forward their support for the deregistration that will allow relatively limited development to make the airfield secure for the future. Secure for further employment, a local asset that will support the local economy. The alternative is an unproductive wasteland, or maybe some mega development that will upset all but its developers.. One recalls with sadness the stories of local residents complaining about the noise of RAF bombers at the airfield during WW2. Let's hope that today's objectors to a bit of degistered common are not tarred by the same brush? PB
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Post by PB on Sept 27, 2017 6:25:08 GMT
27 Sept....
Sorry, Editorial Team has gone AWOL
Back to morrow if the boat stays afloat..
PB
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Post by PB on Sept 28, 2017 9:41:08 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
28/09/17I note with gathering wonder at the objectors' opinions regarding the proposed deregistration of a very small part of Yateley Common...the operational bit of Blackbushe. Those opposed are creating their own agendas and then believing them while dragging others with them... To be expected. Today's POTD looks back to days when peace returned to our shores, and weapons of war were employed as advocates of peace by doing work of benefit to society. The dear old Halifax found life as a carrier of useful things in the post war world, a number operated from Blackbushe in those far off days, a Blackbushe that was happily intact.  SANA Halifax, F-BESE, seen in 1949. Scrapped at Blackbushe in 1950 following fire damage.
PB
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Post by PB on Sept 29, 2017 5:31:31 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
29/09/17A military moment from long ago....  USAF T-33 provides today's reflection from the past, while an RAF Beverley sneaks into the background....amazing days. PB
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Post by PB on Sept 30, 2017 6:36:13 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
30/09/17Farewell September...  'tis the season of mists......and with the dawning of October a time of events decisive toward the future of Blackbushe. A new exciting future could be waiting, that or the dark despair of seeing this fine airfield finally surrender to the forces who would see it condemned to an eternal wasteland. ..the parties opposed to the planned Common deregistration stating with bold certainty that the owners of Blackbushe really want to build houses on it are going headlong into it becoming what they say they don't want. If the airfield closes because of bigotted opposition who knows what the future might hold for them??? Best plan is to support the deregistration application and let the land known as Blackbushe Airport do what it really must - support aviation, provide employment, support the local economy, and be the asset it potentially is as a general aviation centre of excellence. Still time to lodge our support... On that happy note POTD will be out of action for a few days. ..but, not for too long! PB
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Post by PB on Oct 16, 2017 9:03:36 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 16/10/17 POTD lives! Following rumours of what had become of the POTD Editorial Team ranging from being held by alien visitors to being adrift on the Atlantic, and even someone playing the dastardly role of imposter having been spotted on the sacred Blackbushe car park tarmac on Saturday I can confirm that the staff are back in situ - and POTD will try to return and shine positivity on the fate of our aerodrome around the time of the daily Corn Flake sprinkle.. While we await with baited breath news as to the deregistration application, the news today is very much on what happened exactly thirty years ago - we were visited by a hurricane of the meteorological kind. Seems like yesterday that power lines flashed in submission as they fell, trees blocked roads, and the south of England's green and pleasant land was less green and less pleasant. 30 years have flown.... Blackbushe was only 45 years old then. Time's a strange creature, but this year the old airfield reached her 75th year...and happily we had our own Hurricane for the weekend...  The beautiful Hurricane breezed in from Biggin Hill to mark our 75th Weather forcast for the EGLK area looks pretty good for this year's 16th October.. PB |
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Post by PB on Oct 17, 2017 8:58:44 GMT
"Photo of the Day"
17/10/17POTD continues her way back into your Corn Flake moments, but somewhat shakily as the Editorail Team are multi-tasking - and being male obviously multi-tasking is somewhat of a challenge.. or so I'm reliably informed. A couple of photos this morning that emerged from a run through photos that have yet to find their way into the POTD vaults...  Neil Williams flies G-ASXX at the 1968 Blackbushe Air Show - 'XX is, of course, Just Jane at East Kirkby and currently undergoing restoration to flying condition..This year sees the 40th anniversary of the loss of Neil Williams following a tragic accident in the mountains of Spain.  The Fieseler Storch during the 1977 Blackbushe Air Festival....and you've seen this one before, but I like it!  Neil lands G-ASXX. The US Navy hangar still looks resplendent, just emphasises how much of Blackbushe was lost. Funnily enough it's a business park now. It's Common Land when it suits?Multi-tasking may be a bit too much to ask of the Editorial Team tomorrow - a very significant birthday within the home management team. Cannot say more.. PB
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