Post war Blackbushe Aero Club

Hallo again Tango Charlie,

I had not read these posts before our exchange today, otherwise I might not have usurped the Q6 thread to post what I did. It is so interesting to learn more of Symon’s activities. He was, indeed, a character, as the trip to Rotterdam showed. The reason we were ‘requested’ to return having just departed was because he had forgotten to pay the landing fee! Once paid, he took off once more, but clearance to AMS was refused, and so we returned home, as mentioned, via Southend.

On the earlier flight from Toussus (we had in fact popped in to Persan- Beaumont), we had to divert to Le Touquet because she was only running on three. I believe we just squeezed in to WW at last light, and before the mushroom pickers went to work!

The chap doing the navigation was our local vet, Holland Birkett, who owned Auster J/1N Alpha G-APKL, based at Blackbushe, and who perished in it with his second wife Margaret on 8 July 63 at Berck-sur-Mer. I believe your father was in France at the time and intended meeting them there. Originally, Hollie invited me to go along, because Margaret at first did not feel like it. One of the roads over the north end of Blackbushe was named in his memory. Hollie was a founder-member of the Austin 7 club, and I believe there is still a race named for him run at Silverstone each year.

vbrgds
Alan

Blackbushe Early Sixties

I am not able to help with names of management there at the time you ask, however in regards to characters, my late father Symon Biddulph was certainly just that. After leaving Aquila Airways in the late fifties, he was a member of both Blackbushe and West London flying club at White Waltham. From 62 to 64 he operated Proctor V G-AGTC a regular site at both locations. As a young lad we flew many trips in TC from both fields, and in later years i learnt more of my fathers exploits. Two incidents that come to mind are as follows. In about 57 father was co pilot on an Aquila Short Solent and rostered on a return from Maidera to Southampton. For what ever reason the return was on a Sunday, with only had crew on board. They learned whilst on the island that an American aircraft carrier was at anchor further down the island, and decided to beat it up on departure. On getting airborne, instead of climbing for altitude, they kept it low and fast, following the coast below cliff top level, rounding a headland to see the carrier at ease on a calm sea. They decided it would be a good idea to buzz her, and came screaming in at 150 ft right along the flight deck. Looking out of the cockpit window crew were seen running all over the place, probably to gun positions, i bet they thought world war three was starting! On another occasion Symon was air testing a B170 Super Freighter from Eastleigh on a Monday morning. She had a new starboard engine that was being tested. On climb out there was a bang, and the engine seized in a spectacular fashion (loose oil pipe) and they were forced back on one. After arrival the airport was beseiged by irate Southampton housewifes who’s Monday wash had been covered with drops of Mr Castrols finest aviation grade engine oil, all over their sparkling whites! Silver City had to pay for the damage. Another exploit that comes to mind was after dark landings at Waltham. The trick my father said was to stooge around north of the airfield and wait for an express train to come through on the main London to Bristol line. As soon as one appeared, this acted as a perfect marker to the airfield boundary, and a let down could commence aiming for the huge black unlit expanse of Walthams grass. On short finals at around 50 ft landing lights were switched on. Imagine my fathers horror when doing so to see two or three mushroom pickers running for their lives as the Proctor appeared out of the night sky. What the mushroom pickers thought, he never found out. An additional landing check had to be added to TC as she threw a lot of oil from the VP mechanism. On turning finals father leant forward with a rag, poking it through the clear vision panel to wipe the windshield for a better view for landing. Memorable days indeed!

Post war Blackbushe Aero Club

Hi all

Re the above especially interested in the Club Secretary around the early 1960’s a retired RAF Wg Cmr by the name of Kenneth Gray, anyone any info please

Post War Blackbushe Aero Club

Newforest

Please check PMs

Here is a list of names to start you off with, John Varley, Vic Hargreaves, Derek Johnson, Oscar Elliott, Steve Potter, Bill Freeman, Dennis Cooper, Laurie Adlington and of course Frank Horridge.

And of course we won’t mention Doug Arnold and Don Bennett.

The Auster was probably G-AJIS.