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Post by seniorpapermonitor on Jul 26, 2020 20:28:50 GMT
The photo in the latest header today is rare! ... and what is it (when, presumably at Blackbushe) ?
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Post by PB on Jul 26, 2020 21:02:14 GMT
The photo in the latest header today is rare! ... and what is it (when, presumably at Blackbushe) ? The current header photo...! Piper Cub during school holiday period (1962 possibly) when I gave a fair amount of time helping with duties on the aerodrome. Exercise and fresh air combined with a deep sense of needing to 'do something' with my time that would help with repairing the vast amount of damage left by those who had been contracted to deface the old Airport. The only other person on the 'field being the late "Benjy" Wilmer the AVM's full time care taker faced with a huge task on his own - most of the time. Benjy and I became firm friends for many years thereafter. The aeroplane in question I recall quite clearly (hopefully?) it being from the USAF base at RAF Upper Heyford and property of the base flying club. Visiting aircraft were very rare back then (Blackbushe air traffic today is like Piccadilly Circus in comparison) this little Cub was a delight and its visit improved the day accordingly! The gravel to the right on the far side of the runway behind the Cub's rudder is testament to the work repairing and replacing every drain cover having cleared out the drains of the rubble dumped inside them first.. Photo taken on the intersection where 01/19 crossed the main runway. About all I can add, except there were other visits by USAF personnel on recreational flying from time to time.. Here we are six decades later and the sense of needing to 'do something' for Blackbushe continues to run at full power..hopefully the old power house will continue to tick a while longer? PB
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Post by alanjohnlew on Jul 27, 2020 10:09:13 GMT
Now registered as G-ATKI.
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Post by controller on Jul 27, 2020 14:45:48 GMT
I just love the picky of the Cub, N70536. That must have been taken many moons ago because it became G-ATKI in October 1965. Lucky is he who owns that snap!
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Post by PB on Jul 28, 2020 7:05:56 GMT
Ahh, just one lonesome day on a very deserted almost disused Blackbushe with my good and sadly missed friend Gordon "Benjy" Wilmer who had the challenging job of "Airfield Caretaker". I met him during one of my 'after school' bike rides to Blackbushe in 1961. Photography was his great passion after Blackbushe and it is thanks to Benjy leaving me his collection that we are able to share much of the past on POTD. As you say, many Moons have risen since the photo was taken, but I would say they were very special days helping with the hard work in my spare time to repair drains etc etc etc in the midst of the dead airfield's ghost with the very occasional aeroplane such as in the picture in question. My relationship with Blackbushe certainly will never end and despite the tragedy of its being closed and destroyed it has always been a great joy having the association I have had through the past near sixty years.
Thanks for you comment, much appreciated.
PB
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Post by rocky14 on Jul 29, 2020 18:17:50 GMT
Those misty mornings, pregnant with expectancy, were the best - the anticipation of the next arrival! Great days tinged with some nostalgia perhaps! The header today: beyond doubt a winner!
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Post by rocky14 on Jul 29, 2020 18:27:56 GMT
....and G-AOHG in particular!
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Post by PB on Jul 29, 2020 19:39:02 GMT
Thanks as always Rocky14 for keeping my morale fired up! Indeed, for some of us the nostalgia overflows, a leftover of misty mornings and heavy transports seeking a runway they could see!
The current header a matter of good fortune. Blackbushe Air Festival 1977, hence the gathering in the background. The Learjet arrived on a flight quite unconnected with our flying programme...However, we lived in a different age to 21st Century ball and chain restrictions. Common sense never left the building, but on speaking with the crew I informed them that a small space had entered the packed flying programme and invited them to do a fly past on their way home. Their resulting 'flypast' was quite 'dynamic' adding to the day's aerial entertainment!! Of course, today such a thing could never even be considered..but that leads me into another subject and there I will leave it!!
Thanks for your welcome back-up Rocky14..
PB
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Post by filair on Jul 30, 2020 9:36:44 GMT
Yes,both events were rather good,and rather different. I wonder what the next one will be like,there will be another won't there?
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Post by PB on Jul 30, 2020 10:07:25 GMT
Yes,both events were rather good,and rather different. I wonder what the next one will be like,there will be another won't there? Thanks 'filair'... I would never say "never", but that's about all I can say at the moment. I sincerely hope another chance will present itself before...well, before it's too late!! PB
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