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Post by PB on Apr 30, 2024 7:03:21 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 30/04/24Bye bye April.. What a c**p month from the weather's point of view..BUT what a great month for Blackbushe as the new lighting installation programme proceeds on schedule, it might have meant no flying for a fortnight but imagine those winter nights to come - although it's May tomorrow and that means the Air Day will then be just the month after!!
Did you know?? Did you know that today is the birthday of the famed three letter 'Q' codes? Way back in 1932 an international code of international air-traffic communication was established on this day and QFE and QNH etc etc became a part of the international vocabulary of aviation.
Another 'on this day' points at the the mighty Blackburn Buccaneer making is first flight. The passage of time seemingly also offers 'high-speed' flight - 66 years of it since that unique shape felt the air beneath its wings. No Buccaneer movements were recorded at Blackbushe, although many of the jets of the time would be seen enjoying Blackbushe tarmac.A selection of some of Blackbushe's jet traffic during the 1950s when this was London's second airport...
PB
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Post by PB on May 1, 2024 6:58:17 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 01/05/24It's May Day, 1st May, means a Bank Holiday is getting close, and also it means that the 'Air Day' is now only next month..time flies for sure! The month has started with fog-free Blackbushe being covered in a shroud of the grey stuff. The winter has been generally fog free but with the chill air-mass drifting gently from the North Sea across the land over-night it's what we get..
The fog, as if in silent remembrance of an event at Blackbushe 67 years ago today, marks a sad day in the history of Blackbushe during peace-time. 1st May, 1957, Eagle's Viking G-AJBO lost power on one engine and tragically did not maintain sufficient height as the captain endeavoured to return to Blackbushe. It struck the ground at Star Hill, a wooded copse west of the airfield, resulting in the death of all onboard except one passenger who survived. A dark day in the history of the airfield with five crew and 29 of the 30 passengers lost. The aircraft had been bound for RAF Idris in Libya.The Vickers Viking, a very popular aircraft operated by some nine airlines based at Blackbushe. In May last year a Viking made its glorious return to Blackbushe - on the back of a truck - but under the auspices of the Blackbushe Heritage Trust it moves toward restoration after which the Viking will be on permanent display telling one and all of the close history shared by the Viking and Blackbushe Airport.PB
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Post by PB on May 2, 2024 6:42:32 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 02/05/24Further to the GAAC petition covered in the 26 April edition of "POTD", as of this morning 10,242 signatures have been accrued. 10,000 passed the mark where the Government are obliged to respond. It'll take 100,000 for consideration as a Parliamentary debate. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/660502?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMQABHTPjPhd
If you have not signed now is the time, every signature goes to the ideal of airfields becoming classified as 'green field sites', not the brown field classification they live under at the moment which could lead to 'non-aviation' development.
03.00 this morning it felt as if I'd stepped into one of those scary old movies from the black and white era where the night time thunderstorm produces endless lightning beyond the window as north-east Hampshire was very much host to endless sheet lightning, great sound effects, and one third of an inch of rain. As a child thunderstorms were a source of some distress, today although rare nowadays they fascinate with their energy released across the sky and down to earth. One shot of that would no doubt put life into your car battery if you've gone electric! Having been reading of the cost of replacing an electric car battery I gather they're designed for 100,000 miles or eight years of use which should be under warranty but the cost will be 'significant' beyond the warranty period. Google suggests a replacement battery for a Tesla would be around £12,000 but other sources suggest the price will be higher...The second-hand car market will become a very interesting place!! Wonder if it will have an effect on the second-hand market traders such as British Car Auctions? Blackbushe Airport is fully equipped to charge electric aircraft and also electric cars!Electric flight was offered by one of the Airport's flying schools but the limited range afforded proved to be somewhat impractical when embarking on cross-country flight. No doubt the future will see significant advances in electric battery technology, or maybe we'll go hydrogen?
Two things today, Premium Bonds' monthly payout - hopefully! And a cross to be placed on a piece of paper down at the village hall Polling Station....
PB
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Post by PB on May 3, 2024 6:32:36 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 03/05/24Leaden skies, rain, a miserable 8C... May could try harder.
One always remembers the past with rose-tinted glasses which is probably a bit silly, but the past is often a fascinating place to visit. I certainly look back on our days at Blackbushe in the sixties, the period after AVM Bennett had purchased the Airport's remains with a degree of rose tintedness . Being around 14 years old the magic of Blackbushe hung around my head like a noose, and it never let go! I just pray that the six decades of hope will be rewarded by the re-development longed for - yet thwarted - throughout those long years before it's too late for some of us who are still hanging on??
Time flies, a bit like the Piper Twin Comanche, the first flight of the production form of this lovely aeroplane first flew on this day in 1963 - nearly as long as the fight for Blackbushe! Time's a funny animal, a year having flown since our Blackbushe Heritage trust Viking arrived back on Blackbushe soil on 2nd May last year. It provides the sobering truth as to how the tempus fugits so much faster as we progress up the age scale...Many Twin Comanches have passed down the Blackbushe runways since the type took to air on this day in 1963. Doug Arnold owned one for a while. It's caught here resting adjacent to the old hangars at the west end of the Airport - land now sadly in the hands of folk selling off used cars.. Happy memories of life around the hangars at the 'west-end' of the the airfield. Very peaceful with the huge forest alongside.The weekend is close, on Sunday "POTD" will take its weekly focus on Blackbushe life during the period running up to D Day in 1944. This Sunday it will be the mysterious "C" Flight in focus.. Who, what, why??
PB
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Post by PB on May 4, 2024 6:31:11 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 04/05/24Morning! It's the weekend..
The current Forum header photo currently in use takes us back to 1963 and the Blackbushe Aero Club's Easter Fly-in, memories of weekend's long ago, either forgotten or something unknown to the generations who have joined us since then! For a schoolboy who was becoming interwoven into the Blackbushe situation it was one of those days you longed for, the vast deserted plateau suddenly produced a crop of wonderful flying machines - perhaps one could see how a future Blackbushe might look? Very soon the airfield returned to its sad and deserted look, although back then you could see the northern taxiway and the cross runways with ease - the forest that today occupies those acres was not something we anticipated!1963. Today, Blackbushe is host to many resident aircraft, probably around 90 at the moment (?), it's definitely reached a point that was only something to dream of, and hope for, as our journey toward the 'new' Blackbushe had only just commenced..May, 1964. Resident Jackaroo G-APAL, enjoys some circuit work. The grass area today used as the helipad and parking area for residents made a useful grass landing strip for those whose tailskids did not necessarily agree with lengthy taxiing on tarmac. The area sported a generous crop of dandelions, it's just 'one of those days' you remember for various reasons - working as the AVM's 'ops bloke' there were many days to remember!! Ahh, resident Aeronca 100 G-AEXD (if the memory serves correctly) complete with the little JAP engine that pulled you into the air. I recall an interesting departure using runway 19. Amazing how much runway a small aeroplane can use - with the A30 waiting to be crossed! A pleasant enough machine to leave the ground in, but the climb performance left a little to be desired perhaps? The bracing wires made entering and leaving the machine probably the greatest threat to one's manhood...Very occasionally we received some heavier metal, the Smiths 748 being an example. Oh, that heady aroma of kerosene being consumed, for just a short time the apron remembered its past life - so did I. Again from the 1964 era, the event is dated by the freshly crumbled apron tarmac in the background. The local Parish were doing all possible to destroy the historical assets of the bit of airfield they'd acquired. Moving on six decades, the Blackbushe 'time-machine' ticks relentlessly onward. The resident Blackbushe Heritage Trust Viking airliner has been in situ for a year, and with it pages of precious history are being opened, as mentioned above many aircraft are now resident, and plans for the Airport's development will hopefully see new structures erected before too much longer.
The most obvious work on the airfield today is the installation of an entirely new lighting system - a good reason to look forward to darker evenings (?). The coming week, 6-10 May, will see construction of ducts and pits outside the runway strip, construction of bases for signage, and installation of Substation, primary electrical feed, and control cables.
Tomorrow "POTD" will again be focused on events on the airfield in April/May 1944 as the nation geared up for the invasion on 6th June D DAY!!
Have a great Saturday, the window at 07.30 is revealing some blue sky...will it last?
PB
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Post by PB on May 5, 2024 6:47:39 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 05/05/24Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Tears come from the heart and not from the brain". Accounting maybe for moistened eyes during those moments when the sounds of days gone-by are recaptured by the Rolls Royce Merlin and flashes of light from wings fashioned as only the wings of the Spitfire are fashioned? Today, perhaps tears from the heart once again as we hear those sounds reverberate through the Blackbushe air! Today will see the first of the Blackbushe Spitfire flying days take place... This link will tell you the story how/why/how much story - flyaspitfire.com/flights/30-minute-hampshire-downs-Spitfire-flight/ just one of the Spitfire flight options available from Blackbushe.
When you come to Blackbushe today to share the sounds of the Spitfire please don't forget the Blackbushe Heritage Trust shop will be open from 10.00 until 14.00 today!! Perfect chance to find some books or memorabilia - and every penny you spend or donate - goes to the Viking restoration programme.
As the sounds of World War Two return to hopefully blue skies over Blackbushe today being Sunday "POTD" brings you this week's chapter in our weekly 'visit' to RAF Hartford Bridge whereby we recall - and remember - the courage and sacrifices of our home based air crews in these weeks leading to D Day on 6th June, 1944. Again thanks to dear Stuart Marshall for his inspiration and words from 'The Wartime Years', a collection of recollections from those who were actually there at wartime 'Blackbushe'..."The target for 342 Squadron on the 25th April, 1944, was Blangy-Le-Chateau where surprisingly they encountered no flak as they pressed home their attack on the target, which was the German Noball Headquarters.
Varied targets attracted 88 Squadron's attention to the end of the month. On 25th one of their aircraft returned with over 300 flak holes after a noball raid on Bois De La Justice while another of their machines landed at RAF Friston with two crew onboard who had been injured by flak fragments. They were later named as P/O Street and F/O Jacob, who had a compound fracture to his left jaw.
During May the bombing raid continued as the build-up to the invasion intensified, especially along the south coast. Marshalling yards received repeated and intense attention as the German war machine was being transported by rail. Targets included Le Havre, Mantes-La-Jolie, Gassicourt and Arras.
An interesting new arrival at the airfield was 226 Squadron 'C' Flight which started immediately upon arrival to practice night flying. They flew very little during daylight hours. The Flight's work was top secret and even today some sixty plus years later it has proved difficult to find anyone to find anyone who would readily give details. Their aircraft were kept separate from the Squadron's other aircraft and were dispersed to the south of the A30. The Flight was in fact tasked with gathering espionage from the French Resistance who worked under cover in extremely dangerous circumstances. The information they gathered had to be transmitted back to this country and the Germans were of course well away of this. They had specialist units sent out to listen to the agents' reports being transmitted. By means of taking cross-bearings on the signals they were able to pinpoint the position of the agents and find him or her with relative ease. Too many of these brave agents were being intercepted and it was considered of the utmost importance that their security was improved. To overcome this problem the agents were provided with new updated radio sets which transmitted on a much narrower beam and at lower power output directed almost vertically. It was then possible for an aircraft flying overhead the agent's position to receive the messages which much less risk of the sender being found. It was much more difficult for the signal to be intercepted by the enemy. It was 'C' Flight's job to fly out and collect the transmitted information. In order not to give away the agent's position it was decided that the aircraft would fly a straight course or large triangle of many miles to pass directly overhead the agent at a point somewhere along the flight path. Magnetic tape was used to record the reports and a resistance worker would usually be carried in the aircraft when necessary to make contact with those on the ground. An additional run would sometimes be required to make sure all the information was collected but usually the aircraft would head for home making sure that the course flown would give no indication of where the agents were positioned. The aircraft used by the Flight were also used for other purposes such as listening to enemy radio transmissions and signals from which it was possible sometimes to gather a vital piece of information on troop movements etc. They also dropped leaflets to keep the French people advised of aspects of the war effort which would be of interest and use to them. Normally crewed by COs, the aircraft could be recognised, in addition to their black colour scheme, by having been modified to carry a camera in the nose and various non-standard aerials.
The Commanding Officer of 226 Squadron was W/Cdr AD Mitchell, who later became Air Commodore Sir Dennis Mitchell, Captain of the Royal Flight.
When they moved in, 137 MT section arrived with a new 4x4 truck to convey their personnel around the airfield. Such was the size of the airfield that it was necessary to have some form of motor transport to convey crews back and forth to briefings and their aircraft as urgency dictated. The usual bicycle transport was used on less urgent matters and shorter journeys.
As a Special Signals Flight the unit's work was very highly classified. F/Sgt John Smith was with the Flight when it was formed . He wrote, "The Flight was formed with one crew from each Mitchell squadron 98,180,226 plus one crew, F/O Nicholls from 88 Squadron, who had already completed a tour of operations. The three Mitchell crews had done five or six operations each but required some night flying experience. They were all known to have a good navigation record.
In addition to the crew an agent known as a boffin was usually carried when an operation was undertaken.
F/O (Hon) Bernheim was French, F/O (Hon) Ogier was also French, Lt Doyen was Dutch and Sgt Katzaros spoke many languages, his parents having held a diplomatic post in the Middle East. I think he was the only listed RAF boffin. Bernheim was a film maker and Ogier was a lawyer. Doyen in particular high on the Nazi wanted list. The boffin operated a highly-sophisticated radio set and used the code name 'Ginger'. It was he who during the missions would contact a resistance member on the ground. Sgt Katzaros was able to operate anywhere, being an expert linguist, and the radios were set to explode should the aircraft crash. As the main purpose was to return with the information we flew as high as possible in a triangular course around the area in which the contact was operating and sometimes two agents would be contacted on the same trip. Our first trips were concentrated on Le Mans, Paris, Chartres and Orleans. We stopped entering place names in our log books so entries became simply 'Patrol as detailed' but trips over France ran beyond Dijon and into Holland. Flying at 30,000ft we were too high for enemy interference at night and we started doing patrols by day we had an escort of four long-range Mustangs flown by a Polish squadron ro RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. Patrols were usually three to four days but on the 24th July we flew one patrol of five hours
Twice we landed away from base due to weather and the boffin's coded messages were sent by despatch rider to the Air Ministry. We did 26 patrols and the four crews operated in rotation. Over one hundred of these flights were carried out between the 26th May and the end of October when we returned to 226 Squadron, which by then was operating from Vitry-en-Artois in France. Our main worry was the weather and on some occasions we were the only aircraft operating. We landed once , I remember, at Hartford Bridge and used the FIDO which was unforgettable. We were diverted twice to Thorney Island and Bradwell Bay, when Hartford Bridge was impossible. When we landed away from base the large square aerial under the nose was always queried. Our normal favoured explanation wa that we flew low over the sea and exploded magnetic mines by passing a powerful current through the airframe!
In fact the large aerial combined with the altitude at which we flew ensured excellent reception for the boffins who could get quite shirty if a change of course interfered with their work. F/O Dyson, who was our intelligence officer, spoke fluent French as the boffins' English wasn't perfect except for Doyen the young Dutchman. Our Commanding Officer was F/Lt Bradbury and our red hot Met Officer was F/O Hillerby. "
The above hopefully gives further insight as to the essential and varied work carried out by the squadrons based at RAF Hartford Bridge. It is truly sad that their courage and the risks they undertook flying from 'our airfield', and the sacrifices they made were seemingly tragically forgotten in the eyes and minds of those who regardless ripped up what they could of the old airfield or the parties who claim the airfield site should be returned to how it was Centuries ago - void of recognition of the many souls who failed to return home to Hartford Bridge in the name of freedom. OUR freedom.... A suitable memorial on the site of RAF Hartford Bridge will hopefully be given the place it deserves?
PB
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Post by PB on May 6, 2024 6:50:53 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 06/05/24Bank Holiday Monday - precipitation.
Stepping back a day the weather was much kinder and the Blackbushe circuit entertained a Spitfire from Biggin Hill's Heritage Hangar for the first of what looks like being a series of such outings. Flying passengers in the two seat Spitfire the chance of flying in the world's most loved and respected aeroplane is one not to be missed. OK, not cheap, but life is geared to our experiences and this is one of a kind! An experience that will last a lifetime! The next Spitfire day is scheduled for 2nd June.James Burton got airborne in the chase-plane from which came some fantastic air to air opportunities. Here's one - speaks for itself? Thanks to James for this stunning recollection.Spitfire fever. What happens when a Spitfire sets foot on Blackbushe? By 11.00 there's not one space left in the car park! Some imaginative parking was noted by some...Slipping back to 2008, and another Happy Day! The late Harold Bamberg was back at Blackbushe to be picked up by one of his old DC-6 aircraft G-APSA. A flight to the Farnborough Air Show followed but not before this wonderful happy photo of HB with family and to his right Eric Tarrant and his wife Gerda. Eric is to be thanked for the photo, for t'is he who runs the Eagle Archive.Finally today, another moment from the past as the Robinson Redwing joins for one of our early Blackbushe PFA fly-ins. There are so many memories wrapped-up in dear old Blackbushe. Thanks to Mike Biddulph for providing the photo. Lastly, could I ask if you read yesterday's POTD report from 1944 on the run-up to D Day and the activities of the mysterious 'C' Flight, and was it of interest and informative? A number of weeks still to go before D Day is remembered and plenty of typing awaits! You may always leave comments in the Forum's 'Comments' section.
Thank you,
Have a great Bank Holiday Monday..
PB
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Post by PB on May 7, 2024 6:04:09 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 07/05/24Another photo from the past thanks to Mike Biddulph....how can 56 years have slipped away since it was taken? But, they have...A pair of Comper Swifts prepared for flight during our 1968 Blackbushe PFA Fly-in. The Miles Whitney-Straight follows with resident Taylorcraft G-AHUG following behind.The late Rex Coates was the driving force behind the early fly-ins, a task for which he was highly respected. Be great to step back to those days which were highly enjoyable amid a close-knit group of enthusiasts. Back then, of course, it was an extra bonus to see Blackbushe handling such an event that brought life to what was still an under-utilised airfield. Memories of the Airport closed in May 1960 were still very much in our minds back then..here we are, now it's 2024 and still we live in hopes of Blackbushe growing her infrastructure although it's a very different airfield to 1968. Sadly, it's easy to look back and recall so many names who made the Blackbushe scene back then, they live on within the memory of those of us who are still 'in service'.A familiar shape at Blackbushe up to May 1960 was the Handley Page Hastings of the Royal Air Force. It was on this day in May 1946 that the aircraft made its first flight.. The type remained in RAF service until 1977, and was famed for its contribution to the Berlin Air Lift in 1948 when the type carried some 55,000 tons of aid to the stricken Berliners. Numerous Hastings were flown to Blackbushe for conversion work by AirworkHastings TG499 was at Blackbushe in July 1949 in connection with handling trials at RAE Farnborough, one of the latest Hastings movements at Blackbushe would have been TG511 on 14 May, 1960, following conversion and return to the RAF. 17 days later Blackbushe Airport was officially closed.Bank holiday must be over - bright blue skies are overhead once again!!
PB
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Post by PB on May 8, 2024 6:57:42 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 08/05/248th May.. VE DAY!! Victory in Europe Day, remembering this historic day in 1945 when the Allies formerly accepted Germany's unconditional surrender - the War in Europe was over.
The news was received with relief and delight by all ranks at RAF Hartford Bridge. To mark this historic day celebrations were organised at the airfield at very short notice. A victory dance was arranged and was "especially well attended" according to Stuart Marshall's memories in his work labelled 'The Wartime Years'. The attendance figures were no doubt encouraged by the supply of free beer and free buffet being available. One can imagine the sounds of celebration and revelry being carried by the evening air across this the now peaceful air base. Suitable decorations were put up as all could let their hair down as tensions were forgotten, all present knew that their contribution had helped toward an outstanding victory that would effect the future of this country and Europe.
The airfield found that with peace their came a marked increase in the types of air traffic handled. 167 Squadron arrived from RAF Lyneham with Dakotas, Warwicks, and Ansons enjoying new purpose built freight and passenger facilities at the airfield. Prague, Vienna, Paris, Naples and Brussels were served on a daily basis, Malta was served three times a week while Gibraltar visited twice a week.. The Warwicks had ten passenger seats but primarily carried mail destined for allied troops. Prague was considered the most difficult destination to locate in poor weather..Welcome aboard! The Warwick's seating arrangement that awaited passengers travelling the now safe skies of Europe.The Warwick. Ancestry of the Viking..Happy VE Day!
PB
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Post by PB on May 9, 2024 7:30:09 GMT
"Photo of the Day" 09/05/24More sunshine today! Hopefully the weather that endure this coming June. Dates at Blackbushe include the 2nd June when the next Spitfire flying day comes around, 6th June and D Day is remembered across the land, and on 15th June it's this years Blackbushe Air Day! Some amazing aircraft are lined up including the legendary Mustang fighter and the one and only flying example of the Hawker Tempest. This aircraft already has a history with Blackbushe, it departed here in 1949 as HA586 for the long ferry flight to join he Indian Air Force. One of at least 26 Tempests that departed the UK through Blackbushe. Further, HA586 returns to Blackbushe for the Air Day, now registered as G-TEMT, she is scheduled to spend the day on display in the line-up of historic aeroplanes. The late Doug Arnold acquired a number of derelict Tempests from India back in the 1970s, I recall the formidable size of the Tempest compared to the sleek Spitfire was very noticeable! For G-TEMT 15 June will be a notable day as once again her tyres make contact with Blackbushe tarmac!
Here's a reminder of what's happening at Blackbushe's Air Day on 15 June... www.blackbusheairday.com/whats-on
Turning the pages of history back a little, to this day in May 1943, a German night fighter crew flying a Ju88 defected to the United Kingdom. Very conveniently the aircraft was equipped with Lichtenstein airborne interception radar giving British scientists their fist look at Germany's latest warfare technology.Just some of Hawker Tempests awaiting their ferry flights from Blackbushe to join the Indian Air ForcePB
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