PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
10/05/24

A perfic' May morning, 06.00, blue skies, 9C, calm..indeed truly 'Darling Buds of May' conditions!

Retirement has its benefits with unlimited freedom in which to spend your pension, the vapour trails spreading across the early morning sky as yet more Transatlantic flights make their way to some European destination remind me of the working years when the airline industry was my life, a life with challenges, a life being where I wanted to be.. Those early morning vapour trails remind of red eyes, time changes, and getting to know the world a little better. The sky this morning proves that some are still engaged in moving payloads across the ocean, and while I might envy them I've got a lifetime's memories to fall back on while enjoying the present state of tranquility! Oh, and the NHS....today is no exception.

Today a word of admiration for Evelyn Johnson. She died on this day in 2012 at the age of 102. Prior to that she became the women's international record-holder for the number of flight hours logged as a pilot during her lifetime. Her first solo was on 8th November, 1944 and she flew until retirement in the mid 1990s. 57,635 hours logged or some 6.5 years in the air... What a life!




Another lady of the skies is remembered today, she first flew on this day 10th May in 1950. The de Havilland Heron, the 'keep it simple' multi-engined airliner.The prototype G-ALZL ascended from the DH works at Hatfield with Wing Commander Geoffrey Pike at the helm.



Heron I-BKET, above, seen at Blackbushe in September 1957, another Farnborough Week movement. Owned by Fiat...



Skies are still blue at 06.30, time to sniff the air me thinks...

Back tomorrow - if all goes well!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
11/05/24

No sign of the aurora the media suggested would be seen last night.. Another happy night with sleep at a premium due to last February's prang and resultant nose damage. Outwardly healed but internally far from it. A wary eye on the northern sky showed nothing until the pink ribbons of a dawn sky unfurled beyond the window. Nope, no northern lights, perhaps we'll have to take a cruise up north some time unless the present geomagnetic storm has some effect? Seems I missed the show judging by images from north of Blackbushe last night!! Apparently it's the worst such storm in 20 years bringing with it possible disruptions to the internet, mobile phones etc.. A suitably strong geomagnetic storm could play havoc with our lives if communications, navigation systems etc are toppled by the Sun's interference. Subject for a movie or a novel perhaps?

Way back before our all electronic age dawned and aeroplanes flew with analogue systems to steer by, it was on this day that a Royal Navy Phantom of 892 Naval Air Squadron set a new world air speed record between New York and London in 4 hours and 46 min, winning the Daily Mail Trans-Atlantic Air Race. It flew from the Floyd Bennet Naval Air Station to Wisley Aerodrome and was refuelled by a Handley Page Victor aerial tanker over the Atlantic. Poor old Wisley, today a shadow of its former self and lined up to become a housing development. Wisley, Fairoaks, Dunsfold, Popham...housing estates of the future? Come to think of it, there's not too many Victors or Phantoms enjoying the sky nowadays..




Miles Gemini G-AJKS. Eagle's Blackbushe runabout aeroplane, based here from June 1956 until May 1958. No longer flying, thanks to Mike Biddulph for kindly sending the photo..The spirit of the fifties can surely still be felt by seeing 'KS' again?




'KS' made one return to Blackbushe some while after Eagle and everything else had been moved away to pastures new. The US Navy hangar remained for a few more years, but already here in the sixties the apron showed signs of abuse and the immaculately cut grass was being replaced by uncut acres within which gorse and scrub very soon took a hold..


The Eagle logo returned to Blackbushe, albeit briefly, was quite the emotional moment. A feeling not repeated until 2008 when Eagle's DC-6 G-ASPA set foot on her old base for one last time.



Eagle and Blackbushe, two words forever joined in their meaning...




We look forward to the day when the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's Viking is rolled out, with it the so familiar markings of Eagle Airways. This one is, of course, resting abeam Eagle's hangar on the south side of the A30 when Viking's were one of the Airport's most regular movements.



I think that's enough for the weary grey cell, back tomorrow with the next Sunday trip to pre D Day Blackbushe in May 1944.


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
12/05/24

Another week begins, and with it our Sunday trip back to life here as RAF Hartford Bridge to recall the days leading to D Day and the tide of war at last being changed... This morning we find ourselves on the airfield and once again it's May of 1944. D Day is just a few short weeks away.




Smoke canisters being loaded into an 88 Squadron Boston at Hartford Bridge. Practice flying at ultra low level was called for prior to D Day when our aircraft placed smoke screens in Channel locations that would spoil the view of the armada was approaching to land on those now famed beaches.



May, 1944.

The month started badly for 322 Squadron who lost Spitfire XIV, RB141, on the 3rd when it failed to return from a mission.

The 4th saw the arrival of No 5 Light Anti-Aircraft and Searchlight Battery, this being a unit under the control of 141 Wing Headquarters. 88 Squadron was again in action on the following day when they attacked the marshalling yards at Cambrai and on the 6th an additional Squadron arrived at the airfield. This was 264 Squadron who arrived from RAF Church Fenton in Yorkshire with Mosquito XIIIs. They immediately started flying defensive patrols over London and the south east. Their aircraft carried the code letters PS. At the same time 141 Airfield Headquarters moved down with them to administer both 264 and 322 Squadrons. 264 Squadron was soon undertaking searchlight co-operation flights and 'Diver' patrols (which was the name given to Doodlebug defence flights) over London and the south east of the country. In order to attack the faster V1s it was necessary to position the aircraft higher than the V1 and dive down to intercept it. This was however not particularly successful as the debris from any flying bombs destroyed often caused damage to the attacking aircraft. The squadron was based in the south eastern corner of the airfield and their aircraft were dispersed in close proximity to 322 Squadron. They were in tented accommodation in fields to the northwest of the airfield, which meant quite a journey backwards and forwards to the dispersed aircraft and the mess where meals were taken. The crews at first found it strange to have to taxi their aircraft across the A30 to reach their dispersal area and on one occasion an aircraft turned too early and found itself on the road with a tanker coming up fast in the other direction! The crews did not like being billeted under canvas with all the attached hardships and reports indicate that dust caused some illness but it was the nightingales that kept them awake all night that was the final straw. A hunting party was organised and despatched one night armed with revolvers in an effort to flush out the birds and move them onto pastures new. There was, however, no chance of them even being located let alone shot as the searchers stumbled around in the undergrowth - so the musical accompaniment to their dreams was to continue! The 7th of the month saw Prince Bernhard visit 322 Squadron. It was a proud day for the squadron and dinner was served to the distinguished guest in the Officers' Mess.

On the 8th 88 Squadron departed for pre D Day exercises at Swanton Morley, Norfolk. W/Cdr McDonald occasionally still flew with the squadron although he was by now officially attached to HQ staff.

On the same date No 2871 Squadron, RAF Regiment arrived from RAF Church Fenton in Yorkshire to take up duties.

A German Ju188 bomber was shot down over Alton by F/Lt Romsey of 264 Squadron but his own aircraft got into difficulties and the crew were forced to bail out. F/Lt Romsey landed successfully by parachute but his radio officer was unfortunately killed.
Piloted by F/O McQueen, Mitchell FW128 was one of the aircraft taking part in a ramrod against marshalling yards on the 9th at Busigny, south-east of Cambrai where they encountered some flak.

At this time the A30 was opened by day but was closed at night when traffic would have to make the long diversion via the Fleet Road. When aircraft needed to use the north/south runway that crossed the road, guards would be sent out to the intersection to hold up the traffic. On occasions when manpower was short the squadrons had to send out personnel to undertake this duty.

On the 10th 226 Squadron mounted an operation against marshalling yards at Abancourt, about 20 mile south of Abbeville. They encountered some flak and were unable to drop their bombs, which had to be brought back.

A ramrod operation (low level operation without fighter cover) was then scheduled for the next day against the marshalling yards at Douai. W/O Jimmy Armstrong recorded in his log book that he flew with his usual pilot F/O McQueen and they were airborne for 2 hours 20 minutes on this occasion in Mitchell FW134.

During the run up to D Day, bombs were being ferried up to the airfield from Longparish near Andover and were then placed in the airfield bomb dump. These were 250lb chemical bombs containing mustard gas and phosgene and were to be used only in retaliation should the Germans use chemical weapons of their own on our troops during the landings. It was little known that we had these weapons, let alone that there plans to use them..

A visit was made by General Koenig, French representative at Supreme HQ, AEF to 342 (Lorraine) Squadron. He was accompanied by General Valin who was the Commander of the French Air Force in the United Kingdom.




Wishing you a peaceful week...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
13/05/24

Hopefully yesterday's "POTD" helped create some further insight as to life on our airfield as the nation - and humanity - prepared for the decisive D Day landings? RAF Hartford Bridge providing key support in fighter defense, intelligence gathering/covert operations, smoke screen laying, and attacking significant and tactical enemy targets. The facts will continue next Sunday.

I'm not quite sure when I'll be summonsed by the NHS for repairs to my U/S nose, but POTD will continue daily as long as possible! The POTD editorial dept remains in good spirits and as of now nothing 'life threatening' is in the wings... I really wish the editorial nose hadn't been smashed at the end of February, totally blocked due to internal damage it's amazing how much you miss it when it's not working!!

To far more interesting subjects, today marks the anniversary of the English Electric Canberra's first flight..way back in 1949!!Britain's 'first generation' jet powered bomber with nuclear capability. The Canberra was conceived on the back of the 1944 Air Ministry requirement for a replacement for the DH Mosquito.

Both the Mosquito and the Canberra were familiar sights at Blackbushe, resident Mosquito squadrons in WW2 and in the fifties as many a Canberra would have been seen gracing the Blackbushe tarmac.








September 1959, Canberra B6 of 213 Squadron at Blackbushe.




Another September 1959 arrival. Sitting peacefully by the A30 in the September sunshine there's more than one reason why you won't see a sight like this today...



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
14/05/24

My four year old Grandson who loves sitting here with Grandad and flying on one of the available flight-sim programmes came a cropper yesterday by falling off his bike. Over the handle bars landing on his face. Such perfection can be marred in an instant, was he trying to emulate Grandad's injuries from February when the editorial nose took a bashing? The younger face is badly grazed, just hope the healing process is swift and kind. The editorial nose continue to point ahead but is now unusable as a nose being totally blocked due to internal damage that the February prang instigated. ENT appointment lies somewhere in the mists of time, but getting there is kind of miserable.

An event in the mists of time not to be sniffed at occurred on this day in 1936. Before my time, should you be wondering, the Miles Whitney Straight took to the air for the first time giving the aviation world another delightful Miles product that was dual controls in a side-by-side cockpit. Air Commodore Whitney Willard Straight, CBE, MC, DFC, FRSA, FRGS (6 November 1912 – 5 April 1979) was a Grand Prix motor racing driver, aviator, businessman, and overall dashing character..A veteran of the Norwegian campaign and the Battle of Britain 601 Squadron, awards included Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Military Cross, and during his life he was Chairman of the Royal Aero Club, Managing Director and CEO of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), and Deputy Chairman of Rolls Royce. He deserved to have a very British aeroplane named after him...




The late, and much missed Rex Coates, acquired FLW and based her at Blackbushe. A Miles Monarch not unlike the Whitney Straight...... Rex being an outstanding aircraft engineer from light aircraft to the heaviest British Airways could muster, rebuilt LW in one of AVM Bennett's Blackbushe hangars, and what a magnificent job he did!!




Looking resplendent, Rex and the Monarch, during engines runs and system checks after the very thorough rebuild. I spent many happy hours assisting where I could in the journey to get LW flying again. With a good friend who shared the Blackbushe 'passion', a sunny Blackbushe, and playing with an aeroplane that felt like only an aeroplane can surely have been one of the best ways to spend one's leisure time?




Sadly, the last I heard of FLW was that she was languishing in the back of a hangar at White Waltham, flat tyres and covered in dust and grime... The sad demise of a beautiful aeroplane that was a joy to fly in.

Hopefully some day she'll be loved again and feel the wind under her wings once more?



A Miles Whitney Straight at the 2022 Blackbushe 80th celebrations.





PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
15/05/24

You can see the date, 15th May......

Can only mean one thing, it's just a month to Air Day 2024 at Blackbushe - 15th June!!

With some sensational aircraft on show, a fantastic range of exhibitors, childrens fun and entertainment, a broad selection of eating enjoyment, the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's Viking and the Team waiting to answer your questions - and maybe recruit some new volunteers, pleasure flights by Rapide or rotary, live music and song, the very popular classic car display, and the RAF Memorial Flight Fly-Past!! What a day out - a month today!!

It's all here >> www.blackbusheairday.com/whats-on




Air Day 2016




Festival of Flight 2017, Blackbushe's 75th





Blackbushe 80th - 2022









..and Air Day 2023. It keeps getting better!!



Just hope I don't finish this year's event by being transported to A&E?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
16/05/24

Troubled times. Apart from the misery inflicted by internal injuries to my nose, of far greater significance is the assassination attempt in Slovakia yesterday as their 'pro-putin' prime minister was felled by several close range gun shots. In June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in a similar way in Sarajevo, a shot that many proclaimed would lead to war, they were right - not long after World War One was upon Europe.. The question today has to be focused on Putin at a time when his forces are already gaining a firmer stronghold on eastern Ukrain. What and where next?

Back in 1968 on today's date 16th May, a beautiful VC10 of BOAC landed at Heathrow. Nothing unusual there. Inbound from an Atlantic crossing originating in Chicago the aircraft made the airline's first fully automatic approach and landing. The dreaded pea-soup weather and diversions or long holds hoping the RVR might improve would become less of a problem for the Corporation's VC10 passengers. Happy memories of my flight-operations days when fog and its diversions were a pain in the what have you as our DC-9s went to Birmingham, Manchester, Bournemouth of further. Of course, up to May, 1960, the Airport on the plateau known as Blackbushe was a popular and convenient alternate when London was under a grey blanket.




One of those days! Runway 14/32 becomes a parking lot for BOAC at Blackbushe on the plateau.




I make no apologies for once again airing this shot of Blackbushe on a November morning in 1959. Gives an idea of just how large the main apron was before so much of it was lost.. Next time you stand near the Terminal try and imagine this scene.


On one fine day in the future the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's Viking will be rolled out and take its place on the apron as a salute to days long gone.

Yesterday I took the bones for a health giving walk across bits of Blackbushe. I have to say I felt a distinct pride in the old airfield. The apron was host to a number of visitors, helicopters were busy with training flights, engineers were working on the Airport's new lighting installation programme, the car park was very nearly full, and a host of motor cycles had gathered at the Pathfinder end of the car park. Dear old Blackbushe has been though tough times, but yesterday she was alive and well, and one could sense that perhaps better times lie ahead!!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
17/05/24

Necessarily brief and to the point this morning...

'Subscribers' to "POTD" will know that on recent Sunday mornings we have covered the period of time leading up to D Day at RAF Hartford Bridge. The 80th Anniversary of D Day is but a short time ahead - 6th June.

To mark the occasion, especially considering the airfield's outstanding share in D Day operations, on 6th June the Airport will be hosting a special 'D Day 80th Quiz and BBQ' followed by our own D Day beacon lighting to remember the part played by the Airport on 6th June, 1944. A flame will burn for them at this highly moving time, and we will remember....

Tickets will be required.. www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/quiz

This Sunday "POTD" will be covering the Hartford Bridge squadrons who were charged with the responsibility of keeping the German Air Force on the ground, or at least away from the invasion preparations.




D Day stripes will be returning for our Air Day on 15th June!



PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
18/05/24

Saturday, it's not raining and my grandson is here for the weekend and already made significant demands to get flying on the computer... So, while the moment permits moving onto some aviation matters that could affect many an airfield's security in the UK.

You will remember that "POTD" brought a petition to your attention a few weeks ago seeking the reclassification of airfields from brownfields to greenfields. 10,000 signatures guaranteed a government response, 100,000 would require the Petitions Committee to consider it for debate. For your Saturday entertainment below is the initial response from the Petitions Committee...


Dear Peter Brown,

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Reclassify general aviation airfields as greenfield not brownfield sites”.

Government responded:

We are not seeking to alter airfield classification at this current time.

The Government recognises the importance of the General Aviation (GA) industry for supporting key services as well as training and commercial use.

Critical to GA’s success is the network of airfields which reflect the diversity in the sector, differing in size and infrastructure capability, ranging from smaller airfields focused on training and educational opportunities, to larger regional and international business aviation hubs. They all have an important role in supporting the aviation sector.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) emphasises that planning policies should recognise the importance of maintaining a national network of GA airfields and their need to adapt and change over time. The NPPF is a material consideration in planning decisions, and each application is judged on its individual merits. It is for local planning authorities to make individual decisions based on the planning policy and guidance that reflect the local context and engagement with local stakeholders. The weight given to these considerations is a matter for the authority as the decision taker in the first instance.

The NPPF encourages effective use of land in meeting development needs, while safeguarding and improving the environment and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions. The NPPF states this should be in a way that makes as much use as possible of brownfield land.

Brownfield land is defined in the NPPF as “land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land (although it should not be assumed that the whole of the curtilage should be developed) and any associated fixed surface infrastructure”, with some specific exclusions.

Airfield buildings and their curtilage are currently regarded as brownfield land. However, as the policy above makes clear, it should not be assumed that the whole of the curtilage of a brownfield site should be developed.

Applications for planning permission to redevelop airfields must be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Applications for the reuse or redevelopment of airfields must also be considered in the context of wider national policy and account should be taken of the Government’s General Aviation Strategy. The NPPF acknowledges the significant contribution aviation makes to economic growth across the country – expecting planning policies, where supported by robust evidence, to identify and protect sites which could be critical in developing infrastructure to widen transport choice.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Click this link to view the response online:

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/660502?reveal_response=yes

The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate.

The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament




That's where we are today.




...and that's where we were back in the fifties at Blackbushe..a huge airport serving airlines and the military.




Then came the sixties and desolation of a magnificent airfield with an incredible past and an uncertain future..




Then we moved into the 21st Century and Blackbushe really started to show her potential.... be it a green or brownfield site.



Happily today Blackbushe is full of optimism for the future and remains one of the few airfields not under threat of becoming a 'leafy green suburb'..

Tomorrow "POTD" takes another step back to those crucial weeks as the nation prepared for D Day and the invasion of Europe....

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
19/05/24

Another Sunday closer to 6th June, the day the nation marks the 80th Anniversary of D Day.

Remember, at Blackbushe Airport, the scene of intense D Day activity 80 years ago the Anniversary is being marked by the D Day Quiz at the Pathfinder on 6th June starting at 19.00. This will be followed at 21.15 by the lighting of the D Day beacon, as beacons are lit across the nation, to remember the many who took part in that decisive stage of World War Two and the many who gave their lives then for our today.

Today is another Sunday in POTD's account of life at Blackbushe - RAF Hartford Bridge - during the weeks leading to D Day. Today we return to May, 1944, and the job of attacking targets that cometh the day would hinder the Germans' mobility in France.


On the 15th May 226 Squadron were in action again, this time on another ramrod against marshalling yards at Charleville. As they were unable to drop their bombs they had to be brought back to Hartford Bridge. Landing back at base with a full load of bombs was not a practice that the crews enjoyed as there was always the risk of something going wrong and the bombs exploding.

On the 20th they took part in another ramrod, this time against gun emplacements at Sangatte near Calais which they bombed despite yet again encountering enemy flak. Throughout the latter part of the month all the based squadrons continued with operations against a wide variety of targets which included Douai, Fauvilleaerodrome, where heavy and accurate flak was encountered, Lille aerodrome and also Chievres airfield north of Mons. Here 88 Squadron bombed the station HQ and and Admin buildings with considerable success. On the 28th Boulogne gun positions were the target and the following day similar positions at Gravelines and Quend came under attack. Jimmy Armstrong recalls that their aircraft was badly damaged on the latter attack and they had to make a successful emergency landing at RAF Friston, Sussex. on the way back. This concentrated series of raids, which was to continue during the build-up to D Day, was in addition to the based squadrons' ongoing task against the marshalling yards which continued to receive regular attention. All these operations were in support of plans to keep the German Air Force on the ground, or at least well away from the invasion zone and hopefully lessen the impact of the enemy gun positions on the proposed invasion fleet.. As much disruption as could be caused to the German railway was called for to hinder reinforcement once the invasion got under way.



May, 1944, D Day was ever closer...



Next Sunday we take another step toward the 6th June 1944.

PB