Blackbushe Airport was established in 1942 as RAF Hartford Bridge.  After the war, it became London's second airport, the home of independent airlines such as Eagle, Airwork, and Hunting Clan.  A huge industry grew out of Blackbushe which straddled the A30 trunk road, traffic lights stopping vehicles to allow aircraft to cross.  In the late 1950s the decision was made to close Blackbushe in favour of the newly built Gatwick Airport.  In 1960 all infrastructure was removed, leaving just the tarmac, and the Terminal Building, which was built in 1953.  The airport was sold into private ownership and reopened by Air Vice Marshal Donald 'Pathfinder' Bennett as a General Aviation airport.  The airport café is popular with the public and pilots alike and is named in his honour: Pathfinder Café.  In 2022 the Blackbushe Heritage Trust was formed with the aim of repatriating G-AGRW a Vickers Viking from Austria back to Blackbushe and restoring it for static display.  The aircraft was brought back in April 2023, and the team are now restoring it.

Photos: ‘Blackbushe Eagle Vikings’ - Ron Francis Studios with thanks

The Red Wheel heritage plaque was erected in December 2023 and a formal unveiling took place on Friday 26th January 2024 by His Majesty the Kings Representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson Esq accompanied by Peter Brown, Chairman Blackbushe Heritage Trust;  Chris Gazzard, MD Blackbushe Airport;  Stuart Wilkinson ,Chairman and Jerry Swift, Deputy Chairman of National Transport Trust.