RAF Hartford Bridge / Blackbushe Airport As one drives along the A30 between Hartley Witney and Camberley, you pass the great expanse of Blackbushe Airport. Unfortunately, today it is only a shadow of its former self. However, it was only 55 years ago that some of the world's largest airliners would land and take off from there, and 68 years ago it was known for the drone of Mosquito and Boston bombers and the unmistakable Merlin-engined Spitfire. In its relatively short career it has seen many happy and sad periods and given employment to hundreds of people from the neighbouring areas. History It all started in 1941 when plans were drawn up to build an RAF aerodrome in the area known as Hartfordbridge Flats. It was to be of standard airforce design, consisting of three all-weather runways, capable of taking the largest aircraft flying at the time. The name was to be RAF Hartfordbridge and it was to be quite unique in that the main A30 road was to dissect the southern perimeter of the field, causing many security headaches during its early life. Although construction work was still being carried out, August 11, 1942, saw the first squadron take up residence, with the arrival of the Aero Airborne squadron from nearby Farnborough. They carried out tests on Horsa and Hotspur gliders, earmarked for any invasion of France. It was not until the end of the year that work on the field was finished and Hartfordbridge certainly looked impressive, with its three runways, eleven hangars and a huge camp site, built to the east of the field. A small corner of north-east Hampshire was ready to go to war. Continue's on the web site at; http://www.blackbusheairport.co.uk/default.aspx