Boskenso Farm
Note: After some research I have decided that this was the probable location for this venue. But I may well be wrong. If anybody can offer advice here, this will be much appreciated.
BOSKENSO FARM: Temporary aerodrome
Note: Apparently today spelt as Boskensoe Farm?
Operated by: Alan Cobham’s 1934 Tour of the UK, Cobham’s 1935 No.2 Tour
Location: Roughly 3nm SW of Falmouth
Period of operation: 6th August 1934, 22nd August 1935
BOSKENSO GALLERY
Note: All these pictures were scanned from the excellent book Cornwall Aviation Company by Ted Chapman published in 1979.
The first picture, (c/o L.F. Barham), caption reads: "The 10 passenger Airspeed Ferry, G-ABSI, at Boskenso in 1934." The three-engine Airspeed AS.4 Ferry was built to a specification by Alan Cobham (also a director of Airspeed) for a rugged STOL airliner to be used on his 'Tours' of the UK. First flying in April 1932 intially two were built for Cobham, G-ABSI and G-ABSJ - the latter being sold to India in 1934 at VT-AFO.
Later two more were built for Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, (G-ACBT & G-ACFB), and they were based a RENFREW. As far as I am aware, in the UK at least, the safety record was first class, and indeed, it is reported that in their first season with Cobham, 92,000 passengers were carried. Typically these flights were of short duration - probably just ten to fifteen minutes.
The second picture, (c/o L.F. Barham), caption reads: "One of the Autogyros [sic] used in Cobham's Circus. Taken at Boskenso, near Falmouth, by L.F. Barham of the Glasney Press. G-ACYH toured with Cobham's Circus in the 1935 season."
Construction of the Cierva C30A later passed to the A.V.Roe Company and was known as the Avro 671 - they built several which included this example. It appears, as far a I can make out, that at this point in time it was registered to National Aviation Displays Ltd.
The third picture, (c/o L.F. Barham), caption reads: "A Tiger Moth, taken at Boskenso, Mawnan, near Falmouth. From the part of the registration which can be seen this may be G-ACEZ." I think that Ted Chapman was spot on as a quick trawl on the inter-web reveals that during this period G-ACEZ was registered to Sir Alan J Cobham.
The fourth picture, (c/o L.F. Barham), caption reads: "A Mongoose engined Avro, almost certainly G-ACOK which PP flew with Cobham's Circus in 1934. Taken at Boskenso." My note; "PP" was Captain Percival Philips who was the owner and leading light of the Cornwall Aviation Company, based at St Austell.
The fifth picture, (c/o Frank Curnow), is captioned: "Part of Cobham's Flying Circus at Boskenso, near Falmouth in 1934 with Handley Page Clive on the left. The glider "Cornish Maid" was towed by PP. On the right is an early Tiger Moth, G-ABUL."
The DH82A Tiger Moth G-ABUL was registered to Sir A J Cobham around this period, so this is explained. As for the Handley Page Clive, I think this is the Handley Page H.P.33 Clive I, (G-ABYX), which was registered to National Aviation Displays at FORD (SUSSEX) from the 27th of November 1933 until the 7th November 1935. Alan Cobham was heavily involved with various activities at FORD during this period, including getting his in-flight refuelling business established.
The sixth picture, (c/o Frank Curnow) : We can only conjecture if this young lad had just been taken for a 'flip' around the local area. What is known is that many youngsters were inspired by these short 'joy-rides' to pursue a career in aviation as a result, and at least a couple went to very illustrious flying careers.
The seventh picture, (c/o Frank Curnow), is captioned: "The 1,000 horsepower Handley Page Clive 22-seater airliner at Biskenso in 1934."
The eighth picture, (c/o Philips Family), is captioned: "The "Clive" in a hedge at Boskenso, near Falmouth in 1934. It skidded on landing with Captain Johnson at the controls....". Hindsight is of course a most wonderful commodity, and I still wish I could bottle it for sale, but I suppose we should question the wisdom of using such a large aircraft from a farmers field?
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