This section,which will be added to regularly, contains ,as the title implies,memories of the past .Aviation has changed a lot since in the last 100 years and many of the airfields covered in Hampshire Airfields have either disappeared or changed beyond recognition.Much of the the material comes from various enthusiasts magazines of the time ,and my own records.
If you have any observations or pictures from the past that you would like contribute to this page,please contact me.Full credit will be given.
On Page 1 there is a look at Portsmouth Southampton and Bournemouth Airports in 1962,Blackbushe in 1957and the Church Crookham Sabres.To view Click here
On Page 2 there is a look at Portsmouth Airport in 1960,RNAS Gosport in 1955 and Worthy Down in 1956.To view Click here
On Page 3 there is a list of all aircraft known to have been resident at Christchurch airfield from the 30s till the late 60s.To view CLICK here
Page 4,has a look at aircraft on board HMS Eagle in 1954,Bournemouth/Hurn visitors in April 1962,and overflights at Ibsley in April 1967.To view the page CLICK HERE
Page 5 ,deals with aircraft used by the U S Naval FASRON 200 at Blackbushe between 1956 and 1960.To view the page CLICK HERE
Page 6 ,crosses over to the sister site "Dorset Airfields" and deals with the large numbers of Gloster Meteors that were refurbished for export by flight Refuelling at Tarrant Rushton.Also covered are those converted to unmanned configuration as U.16/16/21s .To view the page CLICK HERE
Page 7,has a short history of Independent Air Transport,later known as Blue-Air,a charter airline based at Hurn in the late 50s.To view the page CLICK HERE
Page 8,deals with the crash near Lee-on-Solent of Sunderland GR.V VB885 on 13th February 1946CLICK HERE
Page 9,has several photos kindly sent by Howard Haugh ,showing Simmonds Spartan(which were built in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight) aircraft in New Zealand in the thirtiesCLICK HERE
Page 10 presents an account of the RAF Royal Review held at RAF Odiham on 15th July 1953 - 50 years ago this year.CLICK HERE.In addition we have a first hand account of flying in the Flypast by the pilot of one of the Avro Lincolns that took part on the Review.
Page 11 is about the Royal Review of the Fleet held at Spithead in June 1953.The report concentrates on the Aircraft which took past in the Flypast.CLICK HERE
Page 12 has a picture of the last but one Seafire produced at Eastliegh by Cunliffe Owen as well as an appeal for information regarding the occasion of the photograph .CLICK HERE
Page 13, is a small collection of photos taken at Portsmouth Airport - mostly in the late 40s.The photos were kindly provided by J.B."Tommy" Thompson, via Pete Pitman. To see this pageCLICK HERE....Page 13A is devoted to Tommy Thompsons memories of a well known figure in Hampshire Aviation ...Viv Bellamy.
Page 14:A selection of photos of the restoration of Simmonds Spartan Three Seater c/n 102 in New Zealand Click Here.
Page 15:US. Australian and Canadian Aircraft Carriers at Portsmouth & Southampton 1957-81 Click Here.
Page 16:Airwork Fleet Requirements Unit at Hurn 1951-1972Click Here.
Page 17:The crash at Corfe Castle of Swordfish K5985.Click Here.
Page 18:402FS USAAF at Andover in 1944,Photos..Click Here.
Page 19:405FG USAAF at Christchurch in 1944,Photos..Click Here.
Page 20:The U S Navy's VCS-7 Squadron at Lee-on-Solent flying Spitfires for D-Day..Click Here.
Page 22: Naval Air Station Eastleigh.The US Navy at Eastleigh during WW1