Re Blackbushes Fido

The FIDO at Blackbushe was used post War on six operational occasions. Five of these were in 1945/46 for transport command flights. After the airport was transferred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in January 1947 the whole system was overhauled at great expense. It was used just once on 30th November 1948 to allow Airwork Viking, G-AJFS to depart on a government charter will currency for West Africa. There were a couple of ‘demonstration’ burns in which a BOAC York and BEA Viscount and and Ambassador did circuits. The problem was that on average it cost almost £10,000 for a successful 30 minute burn, which was then the price of a DC-3! By the mid 50’s it had become disused due to the cost.The cost of the burn would be charged to the airline, most of which were operating a ‘hand to mouth existence’.

Thanks for the info on Blackbushe We fired up Fido in1956 cant remember the date. the RAF hut was near the MT section and the US Navy hanger we were told too be on stand by if the Queens Flight was diverted it never was .Off duty we worked for Eagle Airways . In late 1956 most of our RAF FIDO operators returned to Manston but i was posted to RAF Odiham to resume my trade as a Aerodrome Fireman putting out fires not starting them i will try to attach a few pictures