Blackbushe
BLACKBUSHE: Military aerodrome (WW2 – known as HARTFORD BRIDGE FLATS often abbreviated to HARTFORD BRIDGE) later civil regional airport reverting later to civil aerodrome
(Note: This site still is in HAMPSHIRE, it’s only the postal address that lists it as SURREY!) It seems the name BLACKBUSHE was adopted at the end of WW2 when it became a Transport Command station in March 1945.
You will find a seperate listing for HARTFORD BRIDGE with extra details of WW2 activities.
BLACKBUSHE PICTURES
Note: All pictures by the author unless specified. The aerial views were taken through perspex.
ANOTHER ASPECT
Note: These three maps were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder.
Military users: WW2 RAF Fighter Command 11 Group Forward airfield
264, 305 (Polish) & 605 Sqdns (Mosquitos)
88 Sqdn (Douglas Bostons) were based here briefly during the D-Day invasion period
226 Sqdn (Mitchells)
Post WW2: 301 (Polish) Sqdn (Vickers Warwicks & Handley Page Halifaxs)
Operated by:
1965: Dart Aircraft
2000: Blackbushe Airport Ltd
Civil activities: After 1946: Air freight, air taxi, charter and heavy aircraft maintenance GA charter/air taxi, business, private, training, and business helicopters
British airline users: Eagle Airways (Was this really the only company offering scheduled services?) Airwork Ltd
Note: In the 1957 'The Aeroplane' directory Airwork are listed as a Scheduled Airline Operator. The fleet comprised four Handley Page Hermes, seven Vickers Vikings, three Bristol Freighters, three Dakotas, eleven DH104 Doves, fourteen DH89A Dragon Rapides, one Airspeed Consul, one Auster Autocrat and two Avro Ansons.
Without much doubt much of this fleet was based mainly abroad? They also listed LONDON AIRPORT as a base.
Also, Eagle Aviation, as Eagle Airways was then known, had a fleet of sixteen Vickers Vikings and two Douglas Dakotas.
Aerial photography: Photo Aviation
Note: In the 1957 'The Aeroplane' directory, Photo Aviation are listed, their remit being - "Aerial photographers". No information was provided about the type of aircraft used. Can anybody kindly offer advice?
Charter/air taxi: After 1946: Air Charter, Air Compton, Air Condor, Air Contractors, Air Kruise, Air Pegusus, Airswift, Air Transport Charter, Airwork, Blink, Blue-Air, Blue Line Airways, Britavia, Brooklands Aviation, British Aviation Services (later Britavia),
British Nederland Air Services, Cambrian Airways, Channel Air Services, Continental Air Services, Dan Air, Derby Aviation, Eagle Aviation, Fairflight, Fairways Aviation, Falcon Airways, Orion Airways, Pegasus Airlines, Surrey Flying Services
Note: Britavia were involved in charter and trooping operations, and operated four Handley Page HP.81 Hermes, (presumably ex-BOAC?). Two were lost in serious accidents. Britavia was part of British Aviation Services whose subsidiaries included Air Kruise, Aquila Airways, Lancashire Aircraft Corporation and Silver City.
In the 1957 'The Aeroplane' directory, Dan-Air Services Ltd, based here, were operating three Avro Yorks and two Douglas Dakotas. They, of course, went on to become one of the few successful independent operators who became a significant UK airline.
Note: This picture from a postcard was kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection: See, www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
But, when was this picture taken? My guess would be the 1990s? If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
Flying club/schools: Blackbushe Aero Club, Blackbushe Aviation, Cabair - Blackbushe School of Flying, Three Counties Flying Club
Manufacturing: Fairtravel
Maintenance: Heavy types: Aviation Servicing, British Aviation Services (later Britavia), Eagle Aircraft Services
1990s on: Air Hanson, PremiAir Aviation Services
Location: Just N of the A30, S to SSW of Yateley, about 4nm WSW of Camberley town centre
Period of operation: Military: 1943 (some say 1942?) to 1946/47. Civil from February 1947
Note: These maps are reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways:
WW2: 08/26 1828x46 hard 13/31 1280x46 hard 01/19 1280x46 hard
1959: 08/26 1829x46 hard 13/31 1280x46 hard 01/19 (Not in use)
1965: 08/26 1286x46 hard 14/32 884x46 hard 01/19 869x46 hard
1990: 08/26 1342x46 hard 08/26 550x18 grass (S of 08/26 hard)
2000: 08/26 1342x46 hard 08/26 500x18 grass (S of 08/26 hard)
NOTES: In 1944 the runway surfaces were given as concrete and wood chippings.
Hartfordbridge still exists today, albeit as a hamlet on the A30 roughly 2nm WSW of the present day BLACKBUSHE aerodrome. I’ve also found a rather intriguing mention that after becoming a civil airport in the early postwar years there was a sort of U S Navy base here and before becoming fully operational the RAE at FARNBOROUGH used this site. Can anybody add more? If you are wondering why on earth BLACKBUSHE was named HARTFORD BRIDGE in WW2, RAF airfields were named after the nearest Post Office for telegraph communications.
BRITISH AVIATION SERVICES
British Aviation Services, operating in the late 1940s and under direction of Air Commodore Powell established one of the finest post-war civilian airliner global ferry services using mainly highly experienced WW2 air-crews from RAF No.45 Group and were used by several major airlines in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Sweden as well as the UK. Their trans-Atlantic expertise was much valued.
A U.S. NAVY PRESENCE
It also appears that in or around the late 1950s the U.S. Navy had a presence with a Communications Squadron (Fasron 200).
A DIVERSION AIRFIELD FOR LONDON AIRPORTS
It appears that BLACKBUSHE was often used as a diversion airfield for airliners after WW2 when other London airports ( CROYDON and LONDON AIRPORT, now HEATHROW), were fogbound.
FAIRTRAVEL
One account states that Air Vice-Marshall Donald Bennett acquired BLACKBUSHE in the early to mid 1960s and set up Fairtravel to build, under license the Piel Emeraude, (called the Fairtravel Linnet), and often took-off and landed on a section of peri-track near the hangar rather than use the main runways. It is well worth looking up the part of this remarkable, if difficult to cope with man, made on the history of British aviation. Prior to this he had formed British South American Airways until forced to close and merge with BOAC in 1949.
THE HUNGARIAN AIR-LIFT
I have found a record stating that in 1956 Cambrian Airways undertook much of the Hungarian Airlift operations from here to Linz and Vienna in Austria. It now appears BLACKBUSHE also featured in another major event, the Suez Crisis. To quote from B G Cramp in his book British Midland Airways published in 1979, “The closing months of 1956 saw two major international events in which Derby Aviation were involved. On the 11th December Dakota “TD” (My note G-ANTD) with Captain Lines in command was engaged in bringing troops back from Malta to Blackbushe after the Suez debacle. The troops told the crew how disgusted they were with the United Nations for making them stop and finally pull out.” This is something to consider? Has the United Nations ever produced a lasting and positive result after their intervention? I’m struggling to recall one.
“The other event was the Hungarian crisis in which both Dakotas “TD” and “GZ” (My note: G-ANTD & G-AOGZ) were engaged in bringing refugees back from Linz in Austria to Blackbushe.” I reckon it is often overlooked today that after WW2 Austria become subdivided between the Allied Forces and the Soviets. Indeed, Vienna was divided up in exactly the same way as Berlin. Under the leadership of Kruschev the Soviets decided to ‘retreat’ and allow Austria to return to ‘The West’ in 1955.
BLACKBUSHE MEMORIES
I have a very clear recollection of going on holiday to Cornwall in the family car, setting off from Bedfont just south of LONDON AIRPORT (HEATHROW) whilst still dark and passing ‘through’ BLACKBUSHE in the early morning just after dawn. I say ‘through’ because in those days many if not most of the maintenance hangars and aprons were south of the A.30 and traffic lights, (I now think?), controlled the movement of aircraft along the couple of taxiways crossing the A.30. Perhaps there was only one?
I can’t remember the exact year but it would certainly be around 1959 when Eagle Aviation were the biggest operation, plus Blue Air, Continental Air Services, Dan-Air, Falcon Airways, Orion Airways and Pegasus Airlines were based here. I was just getting into reggie-spotting by this stage, (aged 12), and the sights glimpsed through the car window were utterly fascinating compared to being stuck behind a fence at LAP (London Airport now Heathrow). Classic piston types galore, (Daks, Vikings, DC-4s at least), and all so very close that for once you could almost see the rivets!
BLACKBUSHE FLEETS
Please crave my indulgence for listing the fleets mentioned. The information comes from an Ian Allan guide British Airports published in 1959 and they state, correct on the 1st June:
Blue Air:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster G-APCW, G-APID & G-APNH
Vickers Viking G-AHPR, G-AJBU, G-AJCE & G-AMNR
Britavia:
Handley Page Hermes 4 G-ALDI, G-ALDM, G-ALDP, G-ALDU & G-ALDX
(Presumably all ex-BOAC?)
Continental Air Services:
A note in British Airports states that all fleets named in the book are listed, but they missed this one! According to a record in Flight they operated five Vickers Vikings in 1959
Dan-Air Services:
Avro 685 York G-ANTI, G-ANTJ, G-ANTK & G-ANXN
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.31 G-AINL & G-APLH
Douglas Dakota G-AMSS & G-AMSU
Eagle Airways:
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.21 G-AHJD
De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B G-APKT, G-APKU & G-APKW
Douglas DC-6A G-APOM, G-APON & G-APSA
Vickers Valetta G-APII & G-APIJ (the only Valettas to see civil airline use?)
Vickers Viking G-AGRS Sir Charles Beresford, G-AHPM Lord Rodney, G-AIHA Sir
Richard Kempenfelt, G-AIVH Lord Howe, G-AIVL Lord Hawke, G-AIVO Edward Vernon,
G-AJCD Lord Barham, G-AJPH Lord Dundonald, G-AKBH Sir Henry Morgan, G-AMGG
Sir Robert Calder, G-AMGI Sir Henry Harwood, G-AMNX Sir Philip Broke & G-APAT
Lord Hood (Note: Were these Vikings ex-BEA but retained their names?)
Vickers 805 Viscount G-APDX
Falcon Airways:
Beechcraft C18S G-APBX (As a youngster I reckoned the Beech 18 design, or as we mostly knew the type, the C-45 Expeditor, was possibly the zenith of aircraft design, perhaps even more beautiful to admire than the Lockheed Starliner). But of course we only referred to photographs in those days, never for one moment ever expecting to actually see one. The same applied to many American WW2 military types such as the B.17 Fortress, P.45 Mustang, P.47 Thunderbolt etc. Only many years later did these aircraft, and many others of course, appear on the British air show circuit.
Vickers Viking G-AHPG
Orion Airways:
Vickers Viking G-AHOS
Pegasus Airlines:
Vickers Viking G-AHOY, G-AHPL & G-AJBT
It felt as if I had glimpsed the promised land! Might sound daft but for me this was surely a most magical place and still remains so in my distant memory. Indeed, it was also noted in British Airports that, “Having a handy airfield for Customs clearance in and out of Britain, Blackbushe is invariably a spotters paradise, displaying a wide variety of civil and military types. This is particularly so in September each year when up to 200 aircraft a day, ranging from light-planes to jet-fighters, bring in visitors en route to the nearby Farnborough air display.”
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
It is today invariably taken for granted that the Douglas DC-3 ‘Dakota’ formed the backbone of the early independent British airlines, but the listing above clearly shows the Vickers Viking, (after BEA had disposed of their fleet), also played a very significant role.
BLACKBUSHE VIRTUALLY CLOSED
I cannot seem to get enough information about this. But, it does appear that when Air Vice Marshall Don Bennett decided to try and reopen the airfield, it was initially operating under the '28 Day Rule'. It appears there was great opposition to the airfield operating from the local Council, and they dug a ditch across the main runway to prevent it being used. It seems that so many motorbikers doing 'burn ups' on the runway came to grief in the trench, that a earth mound was installed instead.
MORE PERSONAL MEMORIES AND PICTURES
Over the years, living in west London and with family in Dorset, I would sometimes pull over to see what was around at BLACKBUSHE. In mid 1979 this ex-Moroccan Air Force Douglas C-47B (N54608) had caught my eye.
Shortly after getting my PPL at WYCOMBE AIR PARK I planned a visit to BLACKBUSHE to make a delivery of REPCON rain repellant to Air Hanson. (My wife and I were the UK sales agents). After landing they told me I was the first pilot to correctly follow the published procedures!
Later I accompanied Austin J Brown on one of his air-to-air photo sorties; this time not flying the camera-ship, but sitting in the back of Cessna 172. On this occassion I got a couple of snaps of a Beech Bonanza and a Beech Baron - see below.
And, I also collected the Cessna 177 Cardinal G-BFIV, in my truck, to be repaired elsewhere.
Note: Some time ago I made this comment: "It appears that BLACKBUSHE was a magnet for various old military types, apparently many of which were awaiting to perform film roles. I have now found a mention that no less than five B-25 Michell bombers resided here in the mid to late 1970s." In October 2022 Mr Peter Miller kindly provided proof, plus a couple of extra photographs:
Note: The CASA 352L was the Junkers Ju52/3M built under license in Spain.
SOME MORE PICTURES FROM PETER MILLER
A trio of Austers. First picture: Taken on 06.06.68, G-AGVI, an Auster J/1 Autocrat, was registered to the renowned Vivian 'Viv' H Bellamy from 18.03.65 until 30.06.69.
Second picture: Taken in the late 60s, the Auster J/1N Alpha, G-AGYD, was registered to the Herts & Essex Aero Club from 10.11.50 until November 1969. Initially it was based at BROXBOURNE, and when that closed they moved to STAPLEFORD.
Third picture: Also taken in the late 60s, the Taylorcraft Auster 5 Alpha, G-ANHZ, (ex TW384), was first registered to East Anglian Flying Services, which became part of Channel Airways based at SOUTHEND. That period lasting from 15.07.54 until 02.03.72. Presumably this aircraft spent much of its time giving local pleasure flights.
Fourth picture: The Aeronca 7AC Champion G-ATHK, pictured here 20.10.73, was being flown by the Popular Flying Association Group from 30.10.72 until 25.02.74. The Popular Flying Association, usually known as the PFA, was based at SHOREHAM in those days.
Fifth picture: Something of a rarity in private ownership, the Avro 652A Anson C.19 Srs.2, G-AWML, (ex TX166), pictured here 29.11.68, was registered to Mrs Lesley Ann Osborne from 25.07.68 until 06.08.70. Then declared PWFU (Permanently Withdrawn From Use). No doubt there is story to be told?
Sixth picture: This picture of the Beagle A.109 Airedale G-ASWB was taken on the 30th June 1968. It was privately registered to an owner in nearby Fleet from 18.06.68 until 08.06.69. It is often said that the Airedale was Beagle's answer to the Cessna 172, and although quite a good aircraft in its own way, its Auster heritage meant it didn't stand a chance.
Seventh picture: The picture of the Beech E.95 Travel Air G-AWCW was also taken in the late 1960s. Registered to Eagle Aircraft Services from 07.02.68 until 27.02.69 it was probably being operated by them when seen here?
Eighth picture: Seen here on the 8th September 1970, the Britten-Norman BN2A-2 Islander G-AXXG was registered to GKN Birfield Transmissions from 27.07.70 until 01.11.71. I suspect it had brought a contingent of company people down from Birmingham to attend the Farnborough Air Show.
Ninth picture: Also pictured here on the 8th September 1970, was the Beech 65-A80 Queenair G-AVNG, previously D-ILBO. It was registered to Vernair Transport Services in Liverpool from 20.12.68 until 16.03.81. It was re-registered as G-REXY from 14.01.85, and re-registered again as G-KEAC to Kent Executive Aviation at MANSTON from 03.08.88. Probably, as with G-AXXG above, bringing people down from the north-west to attend the Farnborough Air Show.
Tenth picture: It was on the 20th October 1973 when this picture was taken. The Beagle B121 Pup Srs.1 G-AWWF was registered to the Three Counties Aero Club, based here, from 14.04.69 until 17.08.81.
ANOTHER PERSONAL MEMORY
In October 2003 I was contacted by Wycombe Air Centre to collect the Reims Cessna F177RG Cardinal G-BFIV from BLACKBUSHE for transport back to WYCOMBE AIR PARK. The aircraft had suffered an undercarriage hang-up and the pilot, (the owner), had made a superb belly landing inflicting remarkably little damage.
ANOTHER LOCAL DETAIL
In December 2022 Mr Peter Miller kindly contacted me again to point out that Minley Manor, just west of the A327 opposite Gibraltar Barracks and just south-east of BLACKBUSHE, was used to represent the French chateau being attacked in the 1969 film Mosquito Squadron.
tony barnett
This comment was written on: 2017-10-13 11:57:17The information above implies that the area so occupied is freehold and has been subjected to various conveyances, I know that to be incorrect, also that the total area is still under a demolition order from 1960 by the Minister for works, it is also registered as common land in 1974 by Common Commissioner Baden Fuller, applications to have the whole of the common land to be cleared subject to the DE-requisition order of 1960
Reply from Dick Flute:
Dear Tony, Thank you for this information which I shall keep posted. Regards, Dick
Terry Clark
This comment was written on: 2018-01-12 04:56:58www.blackbusheairport.proboards.com Contains history, photos, reminiscences, daily movements etc The US Navy established a permanent base with a large hangar built in 1957 and had plans to extend the main runwy to 10,000ft and build a second runway of 7000ft, then the British government, in an effort to get the independent airlines which happily operated from Blackbushe to move to their expensively developed brainchild Gatwick, summarily closed the airfield in mid 1960 with only a few weeks notice! They themn made sure the airfield size was reduced and part reverted to 'common' land in order to ensure a private operator could not extend it to it's former size.
P Miller
This comment was written on: 2020-01-01 22:42:22There is a very good book on Blackbushe which has in the last couple of years been updated I can't remember the title or publisher but should be easy to find and reference in your right up. The US deployment was fasron 200 which attracted WV2s, P2V-7s, R4D-8s, SB5s etc. Also Airwork certainly had there fleet of Hermes there which at the age of about 12 I got a to fly in one on a training flight courtesy of a friends sister who was an air stewardess with Airwork. Interestingly when the UK government lifted the import restrictions on US light aircraft Airwork became the importers for Cessna it was quite a revelation to see the Cessna line up especially the 310. I was a member of the Blackbushe Branch of Air Britain and still have all the news sheets we used to distribute noting the aircraft movements here and othe local aerodromes.
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