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Post by PB on Jul 4, 2015 7:32:15 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 04/07/15July 4th.. and it's going to be brief today. Various problems seem have beset your scribe no doubt due to the aged carcass he occupies, I'll spare you further on that! POTD shows the British stiff upper lip and continues the show. Jeff continues to modify selected photos for our header and today we have another example overseeing the Forum. Derby Airways produced Blackbushe's first 'regional airliner' after the dreaded May 1960 closure. Dear old Dakota, she looked so lonely having the expanse of Blackbushe all to her self, but what a magnificent sight as she joined overhead from the north, dropped her Dunlops while turning downwind for 26 and arrived back on Blackbushe sounding just like a Dakota should. Shall we say that the moment was quite 'emotional'. I say she "arrived back on Blackbushe" with good reason.... Derby Airways G-APBC departs during the time when Blackbushe truly was a major London Airport. Same place as where she was parked in the 'header' photo!...and July 4th cannot pass without a salute to our friends across the Atlantic Ocean on their Independence Day. Bless 'em all!.. Some of us will never forget the United Sates Navy's UK base at Blackbushe. Happy Independence Day to the good ol' USA. PB
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Post by PB on Feb 17, 2019 7:16:35 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 17/02/19As we count down the days toward the prayed for (it's Sunday..)renaissnce of Blackbushe Airport it's truly sad that this weekend marks the loss of an airline who served the Airport in her commercial days, and also returned the Dakota to Blackbushe in 1963 as the airfield gasped for survival after its rescue from obscurity. Derby Airways, a name synonymous with British independent airline operations, a name that transformed into British Midland, BMI, and latterly FlyBMI, is no more. No doubt the reasons will become clearer in the post mortem, but bureaucracy, carbon taxes, EU intransigence, and no doubt other factors will come to light.. Whatever, we must feel for the loyal team who have just lost their airline. Reunited..Blackbushe and the Dakota courtesy of Derby Airways.Man at the helm..Sir Michael Bishop,BMI Chairman, arrives at Blackbushe to be met by then Airport Manager, Stuart Marshall..Derby Airways, Blackbushe 1963, and the mighty Dakota returns to our Airport. Maybe to the dismay of those who object to aviation and thought air transport was gone from what would otherwise become scrubby wasteland, Blackbushe celebrated the first Dakota's arrival after its closure by the Government.With a full load of passengers, FlyBMI's former self, Derby Airways, Blackbushe showed she was still open for business... the kind of business that pays a goodly landing fee!Hard not to reflect on former Dakota days that came complete with hangars...Same aeroplane, same place, different era, 1958... G-APBC rests on the once airliner rich Blackbushe apron..PB
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Post by PB on Jun 25, 2020 5:23:04 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 25/06/2025th June..half way to Christmas. The notable difference to December being around 04.00 as the eastern sky take on that fiery reddy orange colour denoting a fiery day to come.. Somehow reminiscent of fiery days in the Gulf states as that great red orb climbed with perfect regularity from behind the sand dunes and endless desert...
Life as an elder of the community offers so many memories to fall back on, memories in my case that remain attached to Blackbushe with powerful sentiment. My Mum died when I was eleven, a shattering blow, the ensuing period of time found me haunting Blackbushe, the full blown civil airport it was at the time, it provided an escape, a refuge, where untroubled life seemed to carry on quite happily! Happily, that is, until a few months later, May 1960, when Blackbushe was closed and my 'friend' was ripped apart before me. May account for the ongoing sentiments I might cast now and again? Whatever, it's here to stay....and happily I know many of our members are happy to share accounts from those golden years.Once given a tour of the Airport by the Head of Air Traffic the views from atop the old Control Tower were priceless. This photo came from "Flyboy", but gives a hint of the daily views the Tower staff had before May, 1960!A visiting Varsity taxis by, the United States Navy producing its back drop of military types that depended on Blackbushe for their 'anchor' to British soil..Lovely lumps of aeroplane, such as this RAF Hastings, were part of normal Blackbushe life. Showed how firm the Blackbushe grass is too!Visitors of all types could be anticipated, especially during Farnborough Week!The latter years produced new shapes, shapes and aircraft that would reappear as Blackbushe rose from the dead in the early 1960's.. and I found a new relationship with an old and dear friend!Seen in the 1950's, G-APBC of Derby Airways was also our first Dakota to return to 'post closure' Blackbushe... This return flight during the time I worked at the Airport for AVM Bennett, a day like no other when able to greet an airliner back to Blackbushe's hallowed tarmac.Early days.. and G-APBC came back!!!! Blackbushe by now a very different animal to the Blackbushe Airport when this aeroplane last called.D-EFUP, a Rhien RW3-P75 'Multoplan'. Had you been at Blackbushe between 19 and 19 August, 1958, you might have seen her too....A few old memories for those who care to share them...and I believe there are one or two left?
Have a cool day........... sorry about the focus and small size of one shot. They'll be like that, or not at all..
PB
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Post by PB on Sept 16, 2020 7:33:12 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 16/09/20Derby Airways. The forerunner of British Midland Airways sadly both names now consigned to history.. "NTD" made numerous visits to Blackbushe between 1955 and 1958. The 'signature' "Blackbushe" white posts and chain link and as always the grass kept in perfect trim as the airfield enjoys another day in her commercial life. The US Navy hangar lies in the background while three of the large marker boards located alongside the full length main runway are also visible. 1963. A triumphant day..G-APBC, Derby Airways returned with a charter flight! Gone were the chain link and immaculate cut grass, the US Navy hangar would find 'non-aviation' applications before being demolished, but the endless fight to save Blackbushe Airport was on and this day of the Dakota's return to a badly beaten up Blackbushe was one of massive satisfaction...Similar pose and still raining. March 1953, just ten years prior to the photo of G-APBC, a Central African Airways Dakota enjoys the feel of Blackbushe tarmac..Douglas Arnold days. Still Dakotas came to Blackbushe from foreign fields in search of a new life...The Spanish Air Force providing a number of these old timers to pass through Doug's hands before moving on... Still raining. The Luftwaffe at Blackbushe, January 1958. Full apron gantry lighting, and the buildings infrastructure had seen the Terminal stretch to its full length while an assortment of buildings occupy what is now the Terminal car park...PB
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