Blackbushe Heritage Trust

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Our mission is to build a heritage centre at Blackbushe Airport, celebrating over 80 yrs of aviation

01/11/2026

Those of you who've had a look at our most recent "Tech blog" update will have seen a hint that some work is soon to start around our Vickers Valetta "Loreley".

In preparation for that groundwork, which will include the provision of concrete pads so that the aircraft can be tied-down, and landscaping, we needed to move her.

With great help from the Blackbushe Airport Fire & Rescue Crew and their tractor, we were able to accomplish this yesterday....thanks guys!

The accompanying picture shows the aircraft in her temporary location whilst the work is carried out. Preparation for the illumination of the landscaped parking location is also underway!

29/10/2026

A few updates for you today....

We are pleased to announce that the next of our monthly fundraising talks, with Nigel Spooner coming to tell us about "The Story of Vickers Aviation" on 19th November is now SOLD OUT!

Thanks to those of you who've supported us by signing-up for this one. Please don't come to The Pathfinder Café that evening unless you're on our list!

We are also pleased to announce that our "Tech Blog" has been updated with October activity, featuring updates on work we've been doing on both "Vagabond" and "Loreley". You can catch-up on the latest developments at the link below.

https://www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/blog/vagabonds-restoration-into-2026

26/10/2026

To start the week we have exciting news about the release of a new book - "Vickers Viking - the definitive history", by Rayner GC Kittle.

This epic title, in 2 volumes in A4 format, has been written with assistance from our "History Team", totals nearly 900 pages and details all aspects of the history of Britains most successful post-war airliner, including our own "Vagabond".

Volume 1 - Covers the design, development, production and operation of the type. Each operator’s use and experience of Viking operations is detailed, along with individual reminiscences of flight crew and ground staff.

Volume 2 - Lays out the full detail and history of each individual aircraft in Construction Number order. Several hundred photos are included.

You can order at the links below, at £32 for each volume, plus packaging and posting. A share of the profit from each sale also comes to us at BHT, so you'll be supporting us aswell - thank you!

To order Volume 1 -
https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/vickers-viking-the-definitive-history-volume-1?_pos=1&_sid=d7da1ad33&_ss=

To order Volume 2 -
https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/vickers-viking-the-definitive-history-volume-2?_pos=2&_sid=d7da1ad33&_ss=r

23/10/2026

Today we have a big update on the fundraising talks that we have been busy scheduling into 2027!

Before we get to that, we still have a few places left for our last talk of 2026, "The story of Vickers aviation" with Nigel Spooner, which will take place in The Pathfinder Café on Thursday 19th Nov at 7pm.

Moving into 2027, the line-up that we can announce today is as follows:

On Thursday January 21st, we will welcome well-known vintage jet and warbird display pilot Rod Dean. On 18th February, we'll see the much-requested return of former Concorde pilot John Tye and 4 weeks later on the 18th March, it'll be former V-bomber aircrew Andy Richardson, who'll be recounting being part of our Cold War nuclear deterent QRA operations during the 1960's.

We hope that you'll want to support us by attending what we hope will be some fascinating and entertaining evenings! You can find more details and reserve your place/s for all of these talks at the link below....

https://www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/events

16/10/2026

It was another full-to-capacity evening in The Pathfinder Café last night as we welcomed Alan Pickford from The People's Mosquito to talk to us not only about the challenge they have taken on with their aim to bring a "Mossie" back to UK skies, but also about how the type has it's own part in Blackbushe Airport history.

The talk was certainly inspiring in terms of the size (and cost!) of the task that they have taken on and how they are going about it. If you want to support them you can do so at the link we are sharing below.

Thank you very much to those of you who came along last night and supported us by attending. Our next talk, with Nigel Spooner coming along to tell us the "Story of Vickers Aviation" is scheduled for Thursday 19th November. There are places available at present (see second link below to secure yours in advance) but we expect this talk to sell out aswell, so make sure you get yours soon!

https://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/donate/
https://www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/events

14/10/2026

Today, we're collaborating with our friends and Blackbushe Airport co-residents at Aerobility Charity to promote an event that they are holding in London on Sunday 1st November.....

"Hear from the pilots behind the cockpit as they share how they found adventure in flight.

From Astronaut Reserve John McFall’s journey challenging perceptions of disability to Youtuber Jon Hunt, The Flying Reporter covering his remarkable North Atlantic adventure and Display Pilot John Romain MBE discussing his work at the intersection of aviation and film.

The afternoon promises to be a true celebration of aviation and the adventure that it can provide. All profits from this event will be donated to Aerobility."

Secure your tickets now before it's too late! https://ow.ly/5zSX50ZSe2B

Look out soon for more collaboration with this wonderful charity!

12/10/2026

Today we have an update on forthcoming events....namely our well-supported fundraising talks.

Firstly, the talk that we have scheduled for this Thursday evening with Alan Pickford from "The People's Mosquito" Project is SOLD OUT! Please don't come to The Pathfinder Café unless you've already reserved your place/s online or with us directly - we won't be able to squeeze you in!

We do however still have places available for next month's talk, "The story of Vickers Aviation" with Nigel Spooner, which is scheduled for Thursday November 19th, again at 7pm in The Pathfinder. You can reserve your places for this one at the link below.

Look out also for news soon on some more great talks that we are currently lining-in for the first few months of 2027 - watch this space!

https://www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/events

07/10/2026

Today, thanks to Simon Finlay, who brought it to our attention, and with credit to the RAF Leconfield Heritage Page, we have a historical picture of our Vickers Valetta "Loreley" to share with you.

It was taken at RAF Gutersloh (which was then part of RAF Germany) on 23rd September 1965, with "Loreley" paying a visit as part of her duties with the 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force Communication Squadron, on the same day that 19 Squadron arrived there with their Lightnings from RAF Leconfield for future basing.

We're really grateful to folk like Simon who find excerpts of our aircraft's history and make us aware of them. If you, or anyone you know has or is aware of anything that might be of interest, please let us know!

03/10/2026

A brief update on our Shop and History Hub opening days and times in October and during the coming autumn and winter months.

During October, we'll be open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm. From November it'll be the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, at the same times, until next Spring.

A visit to the Shop is a great way to catch up with our volunteers and support us by maybe treating yourself to some aviation memorabilia or some of our merch! We have some superb, really well-built scale models that have recently been donated to us, for example.

You could always combine a visit to see us with some food and drink at the brilliant Pathfinder Café. We look forward to seeing you!

30/09/2026

The latest, late September, update of our "Vagabond" Tech Blog is now available on our website, at the link below.

Over the last month, we've seen great work on the re-build of "Vagabond's" instrument panels, the acquisition of a key part for "Loreley's" almost complete cockpit, and more work on "Vagabond's" interior, rear fuselage and outer wings.

We also want to shout-out and thank Vision Scaffolding Ltd who have once again helped us out with the scaffolding that has re-appeared around "Vagabond's" forward fuselage over the last few weeks.

Keep following us (or please do if you haven't yet!) to keep up to date on restoration developments and other going's on. Thank you!

https://www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/blog

Address

Blackbushe Airport
Camberley
GU179LQ

Website

http://www.blackbusheheritagetrust.com/

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