Blackbushe Memories (Merged)
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@ old, not bold
This brought to mind that I was sure I had seen a Prentice in the SAA hangar at Jan Smuts (as it was called then) in 1992 when I was down there for Aviation Africa. Lo and behold:
brgds
Alan
Remember it? I'll take the memories of it to my grave. I bought the beast in 1967 for £700 at Shackletons (Sywell) in 1967 and flew it to Sharjah, not without tribulations, and after flying it around the Trucial Oman (UAE) for a while persuaded an RAF Twin Pin pilot that he wanted to fly it to South Africa, which he did with a colleague to navigate. Not without tribulations.
It was sold in Durban to a young farmer who was going to fly it to a hill farm and use it to commute to Durban. I have always thought that if he got it on the ground at the hill farm it would never leave it again, and a good thing too.
It was sold in Durban to a young farmer who was going to fly it to a hill farm and use it to commute to Durban. I have always thought that if he got it on the ground at the hill farm it would never leave it again, and a good thing too.
brgds
Alan
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Seahawk crash at Blackbushe 1 September 1958, 1405z
Mike,
Last September you wrote:
Much as I hate to argue with a fellow Old Fernebergian, it was Tom Boulter who took the much used photo of the Seahawk crashing. Tom, along with my brother, was working for Silver City at the time. My brother saw what was happening and called out Tom, who always had a camera to hand. Tom later became a professional photographer. I'm trying to get hold of a copy of the photo which I will post on the forum if I can.
Well, you are correct! The photo I referred to is the one you have of the aircraft an instant before it went in. Bob's was also published, of that I'm sure, but it was of the immediate aftermath. Bob wasn't able to dig up his original, but by a fluke an acquaintance sent him a photocopy, quite by chance, and yer 'tis:
The pilot of the 800 Sqn RN Seahawk (R/101) was Lt Rodger Charles Dimmock RN, who ejected at some 300 ft suffering a broken leg (though I believe it was his ankle...)
That might be me on the right. I reached him just prior to the S55 (WV202) which was on call. Lots of excitement for a 15-year-old!
brgds
Alan
Last September you wrote:
Much as I hate to argue with a fellow Old Fernebergian, it was Tom Boulter who took the much used photo of the Seahawk crashing. Tom, along with my brother, was working for Silver City at the time. My brother saw what was happening and called out Tom, who always had a camera to hand. Tom later became a professional photographer. I'm trying to get hold of a copy of the photo which I will post on the forum if I can.
Well, you are correct! The photo I referred to is the one you have of the aircraft an instant before it went in. Bob's was also published, of that I'm sure, but it was of the immediate aftermath. Bob wasn't able to dig up his original, but by a fluke an acquaintance sent him a photocopy, quite by chance, and yer 'tis:
The pilot of the 800 Sqn RN Seahawk (R/101) was Lt Rodger Charles Dimmock RN, who ejected at some 300 ft suffering a broken leg (though I believe it was his ankle...)
That might be me on the right. I reached him just prior to the S55 (WV202) which was on call. Lots of excitement for a 15-year-old!
brgds
Alan
ATB1943
I have only just seen your post above with the picture of the dismantled Prentice in 1992.
Unless someone repainted mine back in Service colours and the Service number, it isn't G-AOPL.
Which raises the question of how in hell 2 Prentices managed to make it all the way to South Africa! G-AOPL had a few incidents on route, to put it mildly. I would be fascinated to know the history of the one in your picture.
Edit. Guess what, I googled VS609 Prentice and got a whole lot of information; some of it total rubbish on the RAAF Museum site eg:-
"The RAF sold the aircraft in 1956 as G-AOPL and flew from England to South Africa in 16 days in 1957. Flying in South Africa as G-AOPL until 1967, it was then re-registered as ZS-EUS and completely overhauled. After performing an emergency landing on the freeway near Halfway House, Pretoria, in 1968, it became derelict and found it's way to the SAAF Museum."
1967 was the year it arrived in SA, registered as G-AOPL.
I have only just seen your post above with the picture of the dismantled Prentice in 1992.
Unless someone repainted mine back in Service colours and the Service number, it isn't G-AOPL.
Which raises the question of how in hell 2 Prentices managed to make it all the way to South Africa! G-AOPL had a few incidents on route, to put it mildly. I would be fascinated to know the history of the one in your picture.
Edit. Guess what, I googled VS609 Prentice and got a whole lot of information; some of it total rubbish on the RAAF Museum site eg:-
"The RAF sold the aircraft in 1956 as G-AOPL and flew from England to South Africa in 16 days in 1957. Flying in South Africa as G-AOPL until 1967, it was then re-registered as ZS-EUS and completely overhauled. After performing an emergency landing on the freeway near Halfway House, Pretoria, in 1968, it became derelict and found it's way to the SAAF Museum."
1967 was the year it arrived in SA, registered as G-AOPL.
Last edited by old,not bold; 10th Jul 2012 at 21:05.
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looking for Peter Watkins, ex 3 Counties instructor
Peter Watkins was my instructor in 1976, wish I could find him. he was a Physics teacher in Abu Dhabi and flew his Auster to and from Abu Dhabi...
can anyone help?
Thank you
Peter Clarke
can anyone help?
Thank you
Peter Clarke
oldnotbold: I read a story in Meccano Magazine about 1960 about a couple who bought a Prentice which they named 'Koomela' in order to ferry it to Oz from Blackbushe. I wonder if maybe it got diverted. This took place in about '59 or '60.
(Yeah I know; things that long ago I remember, just don't ask me what I was doing this time last week!)
(Yeah I know; things that long ago I remember, just don't ask me what I was doing this time last week!)
Last edited by chevvron; 30th Nov 2012 at 16:44.
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Prentice G-AOPL
@ old, not bold
You wrote, back in July:
'I have only just seen your post above with the picture of the dismantled Prentice in 1992.
Unless someone repainted mine back in Service colours and the Service number, it isn't G-AOPL.
Which raises the question of how in hell 2 Prentices managed to make it all the way to South Africa! G-AOPL had a few incidents on route, to put it mildly. I would be fascinated to know the history of the one in your picture.
Edit. Guess what, I googled VS609 Prentice and got a whole lot of information; some of it total rubbish on the RAAF Museum site eg:-
"The RAF sold the aircraft in 1956 as G-AOPL and flew from England to South Africa in 16 days in 1957. Flying in South Africa as G-AOPL until 1967, it was then re-registered as ZS-EUS and completely overhauled. After performing an emergency landing on the freeway near Halfway House, Pretoria, in 1968, it became derelict and found it's way to the SAAF Museum."
1967 was the year it arrived in SA, registered as G-AOPL. '
I suppose the only way to prove that the Prentice in my photo is the same as the one you took down in 1967 would be to check the c/n plate...
It must be assumed that the owner of ZS-EUS, as you mention above, had it re-painted in service colours. I wonder who owned ZS-EUS ref:Aviation Traders Percival Prentice bulk buy? - Page 2 - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
The official registration history of 'OPL can be found here:
GINFO Search Results | Aircraft Register | Operations and Safety
and what I assume is a list of Prentices stored (dumped) at Southend in the fifties, and which I was able to crawl around in May 1958 is here:
Percival Prentice - Southend Timeline
What I find hard to believe is a photo on Flickr of 'OPL reportedly taken in 2008 - perhaps that was the date it was scanned...G-AOPL | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Do you recognise the location? Nice paint job!
I've been able to source a photo of ZS-EUS (albeit not a freebie) at: Military Aviation Review
where it is shown as 'wfu Wonderboom'
I doubt whether any of this is new to you but I've enjoyed sleuthing!
vbrgds
Alan
You wrote, back in July:
'I have only just seen your post above with the picture of the dismantled Prentice in 1992.
Unless someone repainted mine back in Service colours and the Service number, it isn't G-AOPL.
Which raises the question of how in hell 2 Prentices managed to make it all the way to South Africa! G-AOPL had a few incidents on route, to put it mildly. I would be fascinated to know the history of the one in your picture.
Edit. Guess what, I googled VS609 Prentice and got a whole lot of information; some of it total rubbish on the RAAF Museum site eg:-
"The RAF sold the aircraft in 1956 as G-AOPL and flew from England to South Africa in 16 days in 1957. Flying in South Africa as G-AOPL until 1967, it was then re-registered as ZS-EUS and completely overhauled. After performing an emergency landing on the freeway near Halfway House, Pretoria, in 1968, it became derelict and found it's way to the SAAF Museum."
1967 was the year it arrived in SA, registered as G-AOPL. '
I suppose the only way to prove that the Prentice in my photo is the same as the one you took down in 1967 would be to check the c/n plate...
It must be assumed that the owner of ZS-EUS, as you mention above, had it re-painted in service colours. I wonder who owned ZS-EUS ref:Aviation Traders Percival Prentice bulk buy? - Page 2 - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
The official registration history of 'OPL can be found here:
GINFO Search Results | Aircraft Register | Operations and Safety
and what I assume is a list of Prentices stored (dumped) at Southend in the fifties, and which I was able to crawl around in May 1958 is here:
Percival Prentice - Southend Timeline
What I find hard to believe is a photo on Flickr of 'OPL reportedly taken in 2008 - perhaps that was the date it was scanned...G-AOPL | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Do you recognise the location? Nice paint job!
I've been able to source a photo of ZS-EUS (albeit not a freebie) at: Military Aviation Review
where it is shown as 'wfu Wonderboom'
I doubt whether any of this is new to you but I've enjoyed sleuthing!
vbrgds
Alan
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the 'Super Cubs'
I remember flying these circa 68-69. The were 90hp not later 150 hp engines . Non-radio and had to be swung to start. Learnt spinning , short-field operations and the basic PPL in these and I wonder what happened to them. For those with more cash there was a Scottish Aviation Bulldog . Vic Hargreaves was I believe the rather stern instructor with a stiff leg who had to slide into the front seat. This was a bit awkward and put him in a bad mood for the detail from the start...
GAYPP and 'PR were still with 3 Counties in '74, but were withdrawn shortly after.
During a night of gales, they were both picketed down, but one of them was still lifted and blown some distance.
During a night of gales, they were both picketed down, but one of them was still lifted and blown some distance.
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Great thread bringing back many memories, especially that Comet outside the control tower.
I remember going to Blackbushe to see the then new Starship with a Rockwell Collins engineer fantastic aircraft for its time I with cannot remember when that was or find any photo's sadly. I did my PPL training with BSF in AA5A under the guidance of Mr. Briggs in 1990 a nice aircraft to fly.
I remember going to Blackbushe to see the then new Starship with a Rockwell Collins engineer fantastic aircraft for its time I with cannot remember when that was or find any photo's sadly. I did my PPL training with BSF in AA5A under the guidance of Mr. Briggs in 1990 a nice aircraft to fly.
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comet pictures and more
For newer Members on this thread A picture Gallery (ok by admin in the past) can be found at Farnborough-aviation-group.co.uk - Login
hundreds of pictures many B\W Of EGLK as Was Mil and civil please feel free to enjoy some amazing shots . thread is updated with more almost every day currently 22 pages
Tony
Admin
Farnborough -Aviation -group
hundreds of pictures many B\W Of EGLK as Was Mil and civil please feel free to enjoy some amazing shots . thread is updated with more almost every day currently 22 pages
Tony
Admin
Farnborough -Aviation -group
For newer Members on this thread A picture Gallery (ok by admin in the past) can be found at Farnborough-aviation-group.co.uk - Login
hundreds of pictures many B\W Of EGLK as Was Mil and civil please feel free to enjoy some amazing shots . thread is updated with more almost every day currently 22 pages
Tony
Admin
Farnborough -Aviation -group
hundreds of pictures many B\W Of EGLK as Was Mil and civil please feel free to enjoy some amazing shots . thread is updated with more almost every day currently 22 pages
Tony
Admin
Farnborough -Aviation -group
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Terminal
Anybody got any pics or stories about the old pax terminal in Airwork/Britavia days when they were using ex-BOAC Hermes on trooping flights in the late 50s? I remember it as a dark and gloomy place, but that was a long time ago when I was very young. I still remember the Hermes lit up like a Christmas tree getting ready for a night take-off.
Anybody got any pics or stories about the old pax terminal in Airwork/Britavia days when they were using ex-BOAC Hermes on trooping flights in the late 50s? I remember it as a dark and gloomy place, but that was a long time ago when I was very young. I still remember the Hermes lit up like a Christmas tree getting ready for a night take-off.
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But if you go here, you'll find loads of Blackbushe pics from the past:
Photo of the Day | Blackbushe Airport - The one-stop Forum
Photo of the Day | Blackbushe Airport - The one-stop Forum
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To get back to the original question: there were three clubs at LK in the early'70s:
Three Counties
Aeromart
Blackbushe Aero Club.
BAC as far as I remember had two Condors and a Wassmer Baladou. CFI was a very tall guy Andy something (just can't remember his surname - been racking my brain for days)
Andy had a falling out with Doug Arnold, hence his club premises were down the far (west) end of the airfield from the other two, south of the runway where they now park the fuel trucks.
I believe both Aeromart and BAC threw in the towel when local authority regs required airfields to be classed as light industrial premises rather than recreational facilities; the two clubs were unable to afford the increase in rates which Doug had no choice but to pass on.
Three Counties
Aeromart
Blackbushe Aero Club.
BAC as far as I remember had two Condors and a Wassmer Baladou. CFI was a very tall guy Andy something (just can't remember his surname - been racking my brain for days)
Andy had a falling out with Doug Arnold, hence his club premises were down the far (west) end of the airfield from the other two, south of the runway where they now park the fuel trucks.
I believe both Aeromart and BAC threw in the towel when local authority regs required airfields to be classed as light industrial premises rather than recreational facilities; the two clubs were unable to afford the increase in rates which Doug had no choice but to pass on.