Albourne Farm
Note: This map shows only my estimation of where this airstrip is located. If anybody could be kind enough to confirm this, or provide a more exact location, then this advice will be most welcome.
ALBOURNE FARM: Private airstrip (also known as HASSOCKS)
Operated by: Mr J P I Lloyd-Bostock?
Location: W of Albourne, W of Hassocks
Period of operation: 1970s to circa 2001
Runway: 2014: 02/20 440 grass
Notes: In the mid 1970s it seems the Piper PA-24 Commanche 250 G-ARUW was the only aircraft based here.
In 2014 it appears the Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe G-AGMI was based here? I suppose, given the long time span, the information provided here could actually relate to two separate strips in this vicinity? I now suspect the Luscombe was based at HIGH CROSS?
A runway 440 metres long seems marginal for operation of a PA-24 Commanche.
Peter Woodman
This comment was written on: 2020-03-09 18:39:31Re. Jimmy Bostocks farm strip. I landed my Auster J1N Alpha there on February 5th 1972. I had flown there from Shorham Airport with Laurie Mansfield. The grass surface was water-logged. We found Jimmy Bostock wasn't home but his Piper twin was in the hanger. Some farm labourers helped position the 'plane ready for take off and we decided to leave Laurie at the strip due to the ground bogginess and to help get airborne. The activity around the aircraft was witnessed by a neighbour who alerted the police. I managed to take off, just clearing the boundary hedge and flew back to Shoreham. Uppon arrival ATC told me I would have to wait for the arrival of police, my flight having been tracked by Gatwick radar. After half an hour a police inspector arrived to interview me. I was suspected of dropping off illegal iimmigrants. I was told that police had been despatched to the farm to investigate. I told the inspector that my friend Laurie should have been there, covered in mud from the prop-wash after he pushed at the Auster's lift struts to assist my departure. His reply was that the police would have been looking for someone of a darker skin,carrying a suitcase! Jimmy Bostock's daughter was being taught to fly in Jim's Piper twin at Shoreham by the redoubtable Toon Ghose. On an approach to land over the river to runway 27, with one engine feathered, the other engine stopped just before the airfield. The 'plane hit the raised bund at the boundary and crashed. Toon and Miss Bostock received only minor injuries. I only had that one flight to Jimmy's strip and have not seen it for many years.
Dick Flute
This comment was written on: 2020-03-09 21:28:22Hi Peter, Many thanks. Quite a story. Best regards, Dick
John E
This comment was written on: 2020-07-21 22:27:12Hi, this airstrip doesnt exist any more, been ploughed over and is now vineyards. The old buildings demolished and shiny new 'Tasting' and winery buildings in place. I drove to find it tonight but thats all it is now. All gone, so don't try to land here!
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
