PHOTO of the DAY...

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
28/08/24


Time and events preclude today's "POTD", however it looks as if the weather is making time for some sunshine over the next few days - in the south-east!

In August 1940, the Battle of Britain continued to build in intensity, on 20th August of that year Prime Minister Winston Churchill uttered those immortal words, "Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.” The weather was hot, the skies were blue, true "Battle of Britain weather".. with wisps of Cirrus decorating the sky at high altitude..[

How true..




Through many of the years that Blackbushe has endured her own battle, the sound of the Spitfire has resounded in the circuit, a sound that says so much.



I remember in the sixties thinking how amazing it would be if a Spitfire landed on the then desolate Blackbushe. Eventually it did. Never dreamed that two-seat Spitfires would be taking passengers for the flight of a lifetime from our precious airfield... six decades later!

Must go...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
29/08/24

Those of a certain vintage will remember the DC-10. The type first flew on this day in 1970 proving a valuable addition to the fleet at Swissair and Northwest Orient, two of the airlines that fashioned my past.. An exciting life lies behind me, just hope the memory cells continue to fire a little longer so as I can remember some of it!

Back in 1955 a Canberra achieved a new world altitude record on this day, 65,876ft.

Had you been at Blackbushe on this day in 1955 you could have witnessed a Britavia Hermes arrive from Nairobi following a trooping sortie, amid all the other standard Blackbushe traffic of Vikings, Dakotas etc etc..




Britavia Hermes were a feature of Blackbushe right up until the May 1960 closure. Parked adjacent to the Britavia engineering site on Blackbushe's south side of the A30, the row of white tails was most impressive for those travelling on the Fleet Road that wound behind and past the Airport. Today it's just a wild jungle with a 'travellers' camp provided by the authorities buried amid the trees..




By a miracle Blackbushe survived after the government tried to eliminate her, some quite unusual aeroplanes have graced her tarmac during those past six decades!!




Doug Arnold's warbird days were without doubt the most exotic of days if rare warbirds were your interest!








The movie industry helped when using Blackbushe for big wartime sequences, even if the background aircraft were 'cardboard cutouts' cleverly angled for the cameras..


Have a nice day!

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
30/08/24


POTD remains in the hangar today, exceptional circumstances..sorry!!



See you tomorrow!!


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
31/08/24

31st August. Back in 1940 on this date there was no RAF Hartford Bridge/Blackbushe Airport. Her time was yet to come a couple of years later..

Today's date 31st August, 1940, is one to remember with the greatest of respect. Fighter Command suffered its most losses to date as the Battle of Britain raged in intensity. 39 RAF fighters were brought down by Luftwaffe guns and 14 RAF pilots gave their lives in the name of freedom.




Blackbushe Air Day 2023, RAF Memorial Flight fly-past, the Spitfire and Hurricane will forever salute those who flew in "the Battle", gave their all and purchased us the freedom we enjoy today.


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
01/09/24

Editorial apologies should anyone have been looking for today's "POTD"... Busy times! September, autumn, too early to go into hibernation for the winter, "POTD" will continue its daily offering even if sometimes it's not possible to be on time..




Winter past, a Viking rests close to the A30, so typical of the days when Blackbushe was transport hub.



Talking of Vikings, it was on this day in 1946 that Viking G-AHOP entered service with British European Airways. Of course, another Viking that entered service with BEA was G-AGRW. In 1954 G-AHOP entered service with Blackbushe based Airwork where she flew until the Airport was closed in May 1960.

The Blackbushe Heritage Trust's G-AGRW first came to Blackbushe in March 1947 while serving with BEA. In March 1954 "RW" first came to Blackbushe when charted by Airwork, later in MArch 1954 she returned to Blackbushe as property of Hunting-Clan and would be seen at Blackbushe on training flights until at least June, 1959.




The Blackbushe Viking is progressing thanks to our fantastic tech volunteers, the freshly painted nose cone is shown to give an idea of how things will look in the future!




PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
02/09/24

It was on 2nd September 1958 that the Vickers Viking made headlines for the wrong reasons and also brought Blackbushe into the conversation. Independent Air Travel Vickers VC.1 Viking G-AIJE with three crew members aboard loaded with two Bristol Proteus turboprop engines, crashed after taking off from London Heathrow Airport, en route to Athens.

The aircraft took off from Heathrow at 05:54 GMT but shortly after take-off the crew reported engine problems and requested a return to Blackbushe Airport. They were cleared down to 3000ft, but were unable to maintain height and continued descending. A Mayday call was made from the aircraft at 06:32 GMT, shortly before it crashed into a row of houses on Kelvin Gardens, Southall, Middlesex. The aircraft caught fire on impact killing all three crew members as well as four people on the ground, a mother and three children.

G-AIJE had visited Blackbushe a couple of times in 1955 on Ministry of Supply work and six times between June and July in 1958 while operated by Independent Air Travel.

The report that followed a Public Inquiry investigating the accident found the probable cause of the accident was that "the aircraft was allowed to lose height and flying speed with the result that the pilot was no longer able to exercise asymmetric control." The public inquiry found a number of serious flaws in the operation of Independent Air Travel and the maintenance of the aircraft. Maintenance had been carried out on one of the aircraft propellers at Heathrow on the night before the accident by personnel who were not qualified to carry out the work. The aircraft was overloaded and the pilot had not had adequate rest, having effectively been on duty for 31 hours 30 minutes compared with the 16 hours required by the regulations (This took advantage of a loophole in regulations that allowed crew to carry out flights during "rest" hours if no passengers or cargo was carried). Check flights, which should have tested the pilot's ability to handle the aircraft at high weights and with one engine out were found to be "perfunctory" and did not adequately prove the pilot's ability to handle the aircraft with one engine failed.




Happier times. "JE" parked up where the old runway 19 once crossed the A30.




'Airline History' reported on Independent with the following,

"Independent Air Transport came into being in 1954 when a group of airline pilots purchased the London based travel agents, Independent Air Travel.

[ – Independent Air Transport came into being in 1954 when a group of airline pilots purchased the London based travel agents, Independent Air Travel. However,an accident on the 02-Sep1958,when a Viking crashed at Southall after take off from Heathrow,killing the crew, led to allegations of improper practices in both maintenance and operations. This, in turn led to the departure of the company’s chairman and managing director, Captain Marian Kozubski. The reorganized airline then changed it’s name to Blue-Air, probably in order to distance itself from the adverse publicity surrounding the Southall crash. Charter operations continued throughout the summer of 1959 but by Sep1959, work was declining , and on 12 Oct1959, the last revenue earning service took place. Within a few days the company had ceased to exist, its aircraft being sold very quickly]




As a young lad of twelve who had just been given the OK to cycle to Blackbushe Airport one felt great affection for the airlines operating from the airfield, Independent Vikings being a part of the great scene. A tender age where one would not dream of any weaknesses in their management. I recall the name Kozubski was mentioned more than once in connection with airline operations...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
03/09/24

Early September, apparently we are at the end of the coolest summer in the UK for ten years. Looking back to warmer times this week in September would have witnessed rehearsals for the once great Farnborough Air Show when the event was to be looked forward to as the shadows of autumn inched their way across aerodromes. Not just during the Air Show, but during this week prior to the event formations of Javelins, Gannets, Canberras etc would sweep across the land fortunately crossing where I lived on their way to Farnborough. All British too, Farnborough Week's participants confirmed a very healthy state of affairs in the British aircraft industry.. Today's Farnborough Week is light years ahead of those days from the technological point of view, but gone is the thrill of big formations, the odd sonic bang, and exciting new shapes flying before us...

At Blackbushe, until September 1959, the 'other Farnborough' took place as so many aircraft of all types, shapes, sizes, and nationalities winged their way onto 'our' precious airfield! Happily, thanks to "Pathfinder" Bennett, Blackbushe was partly saved and slowly the airport welcomed Farnborough Week visitors once again. Never anywhere like the 1950s spectaculars, but the heart of Blackbushe proved it could still beat!










Just a reminder of Blackbushe's Farnborough weeks in the 1950s..










..and a reminder of how post 1960s Farnborough Weeks at Blackbushe looked like as they gathered momentum through the decades!!




For those wise enough to buy this year's Blackbushe Heritage Trust calendar here's September's photograph taken in the autumn of 1959.


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
04/09/24

In "POTD" yesterday a degree of creaking could be heard from the memory buds as we looked back on the annual preparations ahead of 'Farnborough Week' and the new shapes that climbed into British skies from British drawing boards.

Two of our famous aircraft designs first took to the sky on this day in 1949... The beautiful Avro 707, VX784, first flew from Boscombe Down. The second ever delta winged jet, and the first to be built in Britain. The 707 from Avro was intended as a flying test bed for the 'delta', a design that would in due course be employed in an altogether larger delta platform. The Vulcan. Two days after the 707's maiden flight she was flown to Farnborough for the Air Show.

The other first flight on this day in 1949 was that of the mighty Bristol Brabazon from the runway at Bristol Filton.. A bold concept toward long range Atlantic crossings offering new standards in space and comfort. Sadly, high seat mile costs made the aircraft an unattractive prospect combined with an inadequate projected fatigue life. The Brabazon remained an iconic British concept, the Minister of Supply announced the cancellation of Brabazon in July 1953, she was broken up the following October.

Neither of these types included Blackbushe in their log books, but they played a significant role in this country's aviation history.




Coming up to date on the Blackbushe scene, last week's visitors included these highly successful designs from Pilatus. Quiet, comfortable, and fast air transport comes to Blackbushe. Thanks to John Varndell for the photo, it surely paints an image of Blackbushe's operations now and into the future. An airport entirely suited to business travel where convenience is the keyword..



Looking at the Blackbushe webcam this morning it struck me just how many aircraft are based here now on an airfield that looks very respectable. Drifting recall back through the six decades of adversity the airfield has not only survived, it now shows its significance as a prime GA centre. When those hangars are built, when the new Terminal is built, she will be a winner for sure providing an economical and environmentally suitable alternative.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
05/09/24

Five days into September, the seasons are passing by at express speed - yesterday I noted Christmas cards, mince pies and other Christmas money spinners on sale at the supermarket. Before the year finally runs away with us there are a couple of dates you should make a note of.

First we have the autumn meeting of the Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee on Tuesday 17th September starting at 19.00. The venue is the Pathfinder Cafe at the Airport, and you are very welcome to attend. The Committee is formed of council representatives and Airport Management, and you are very welcome to attend. Additionally, if you have any questions regarding the Airport your chanced to ask them will come during the public's Q&A session... The Airport is going through a most interesting period where her future will be decided, I'm sure you'd wish to be on top of the news! See you there!! Depending on operational needs, the new runway lighting system might be on...

The other not to be missed diary event happens a few days later in the form of the annual "Twilight Runway Challenge". Saturday 21st September, gates open at 16.00, events starts at 17.15. The 'Challenge' is your chance to raise money for good causes by running, walking, hopping, cycling or skipping the choice of either 3,5, or 10K circuits around the Airport's many acres. You don't have to participate, just come and cheer on the runners and riders, enjoy the exhibitors or if you're between 3 and 14 the exciting bungee trampoline.. Aerobility and the Blackbushe Heritage Trust are just two of the great causes you could support, or choose any that you have a wish to support..

Everything you need to know is here including entry into the event... www.twilightchallenge.co.uk/ It's a truly enjoyable evening with a BBQ at the Pathfinder! Last year's event raised over £42,000 for local causes.




The runways await those taking part during the evening of the Twilight Runway Challenge on 21st September




PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
06/09/24

I've said it before, when launching "POTD" back in January, 2015, I had no expectations of it being particularly long lasting or achieving perhaps 20 or so hits of a morning. My ambition was simply to share the deep seated feelings I had about Blackbushe, her outstanding history and her unique value as a GA airport then and into the future. The audience has grown slowly, recently we have been sharing the Blackbushe story with near on 900 visits per day, with 785,824 visits as of this morning. Humble thanks to all who spend time sharing thoughts pertaining to Blackbushe, to those who give a 'like' each day, and to all who provide interesting comments. Thank you all, onwards into today's words accompanied by heavy rain and thunder beyond the "POTD" window...

Very dark this morning, confirms that summer is fast slipping away. Not sure I'm looking forward to winter as varied medical events lie ahead, but still here and very grateful for that!! I'm looking forward to seeing the new Blackbushe lighting system in action now the hours of darkness have increased, and hopefully sometime during the coming winter the awaited public Inquiry will be held with regard to the proposed Land Exchange after which surely will come the time Blackbushe can build her new hangars etc etc and become the airport we've dreamed of for six decades?

Looking back in time to moments of aviation note, it was on this day 6th September, 1948, that John Derry first broke the sound barrier in a British designed aircraft, the DH108. Flying at such speeds for the first time must have been 'interesting'... John Derry, born in Cairo in 1921, was one of our leading test pilots during the period when Britain kept producing new types of aircraft while pushing the speed envelope ever further.

Tragically, it was on the same date in 1952, 6th September, just four years later than the DH108 success that John Derry and his observer were killed at the Farnborough Air Show flying the DH110 twin boom twin engined jet. An event that I recall as if it were yesterday although I was only seven at the time. Standing by the railings at the front of the crowd line with me Mum and Dad the 110 did a run along the crowd line left to right, strangely I clearly remember the heat shimmer that followed the aircraft - it was close and low - before it swept in a left hand turn around where the Control Tower was at the time. It climbed and when directly in front of us, but over the far side of the airfield in the Ively Road direction, it just broke up. I will forever remember the many pieces simply falling and fluttering to the ground - and it was over. The two engines continued with their trajectory killing Derry and his observer until they landed on a hill within the airfield that had been popular with observers. 28 died in the impact. I was unaware of the carnage, I remember my Mum being upset by what had just happened, I remember the duck-egg green Hunter going to the runway as Neville Duke prepared to salute his good friend who had just died. I thought it was great that he decided to carry on in salute to his friend, others did not agree with the 'show must go on' attitude. Odd how moments 72 years ago remain so clearly in the mind, but witnessing such an event was an event like non-other.

That Farnborough Week of 1952 at Blackbushe provided the anticipated aviation gathering with types such as a couple of Catalinas French Navy, East African Airways Lodestar, Sea Fury, four Yorks on RAF Trooping flights, Dassault Flamant, various US Navy visitors including Beech SNB-2 and C54, RCAF Sabre, RAF Harvard, Pakistan International Airways Bristol 170, Hawk Speed Six (home based), assorted light aircraft including Miles Monarch from Rolls Royce. FLW many years later became home based when restored by Rex Coates. Grumman Mallard from Shell, Airspeed Consul, Saudi Arabian Airways Bristol 170, Bristol Brigand and Buckmaster. Not a bad collection for a week at the airfield government and local authorities tried to kill.




The Brigand, just one of the many visitors to Blackbushe during Farnborough Week 1952..



Memories..
PB