Bognor Regis (Lec Refrigeration) Airfield
 

I was passing Bognor Regis at the weekend and thought I see what was left of this airstrip. Suprisingly the runway is in very good condition still otherwise there is not much left.

Photos can be found here

I have a few questions if anyone can help,

When did it open & close?
Was there an IATA code allocated?
What are the red discs that run along each side of the runway?
Are there any websites or other sources of information available on the airstrip?

Thanks,

Richard

Dunno about IATA but ICAO was EGKC.
LEC 1 used to operate from there early '80s. Type BN2 ?
Did John Townend ex-BN Bembridge fly it?
Also a Pitts was based there, ISTR a serious accident.

Talkdownman, serious accident might have been David Purley (sp?) racing driver who crashed off Bognor/Littlehamton in a Pitts. Or am I confused with another pilot/driver who crashed off Nice also in a Pitts. Both happened a decade back or more...

Being built next to a river, it was notified as in danger of flooding until the hard runway was put down (about '78?)

According to my Log Book, I flew Pa 28 G-ATOO into Bognor Regis on 10/5/72 from Blackbushe
It was a grass airfield then.

Lec operated an Aztec from there and I seem to think the pilot was called Dave Marris ?

There was a big gas holder at one end of the strip which made arrival/departure interesting.

Clint.

Is that thing still there Mr_Grubby ?

I nearly hit it one dark and stormy night sneaking back into Tangmere under a very low cloud base, gave me a hellava fright. :eek:

Lec also used to operate a MS Paris exec jet in the mid 80's and if the weather was a tad claggy it would divert up to LGW which is how I know about it. I think noise abatement regs probably put paid to operation of the Paris as it wasn't quiet on the outside, no idea if it was quiet inside.

Treadders
It was indeed David Purley. He was the driver who won the George Medal in 1973 whilst attempting to rescue fellow driver Roger Williamson from a burning F1 car at, I think, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

In 1977 he had a massive accident in practice for the British G.P. at Silverstone when he survived the most g-force ever recorded by a human being, almost 180g.

Sadly died in an accident flying a Pitts in 1985.

Somewhere in my loft I have a copy of a photo of a Spitfire in USAAF/Invasion markings entitled 'Bognor, waiting to go!' (courtesy of a project I did at IWM many years ago).

Further information on the ALG can be found here

Tredigraph, you're correct on both counts. David Purley was killed when his Pitts crashed into the sea off the coast, and another pilot was killed off the coast in France, also in a UK registered Pitts and I'm sure he was also a racing driver.... Mike somebody or other..

Landed at Bognor back in 1988 in a Super Cub, was a lovely strip then and when i saw it a few weeks ago, still looks useable..

Just looking at VE View of Bognor Regis

Interesting to compare the quite old Sat View with the more recent Hi Res GetMapping panels (Birds Eye View 20m resolution)

I used to go past that site quite often and would ask people I know who live over there who used it etc.

One local told me it belonged to LEC (obviously) and the owners son used to fly a twin from there until he was killed in it. That is all I got from the local.

Good to see some pictures from there online and I remember the hanger being there too.

IIRC, LEC was/is owned/run by the Purley family and after David (the son) was sadly killed in his Pitts the runway has been out of action.

Just having a rainy Bank Holiday afternoon daydream..
 

..well two actually.

The first involves an egg whisk, wet cellary and Danni Minogue:eek: but enough of that...

The second involves the obligatory Lotto win and the thought that building a rather nice (eco-friendly) house and hangar on the site at Bognor of the old now demolished buildings would be just fantastic.

I can understand the Purley families sensitivities but such a rare thing as a useable private strip on the sarf coast is quite something.

Better still for the dream, a number of houses around the strip so all us prunners could indulge our passions together. (Sorry 411A Brits only:= )

Aaahh! Now, what to stock the hangar with........:hmm:

Wake me up for tea time someone.

Sir George Cayley

Airfield land proposed for development
 

From the website of the landowner, Sime Darby, - Public Consultation - The Former LEC Site - re disposal of the Bognor Airfield land:

The Airfield (Airfield Park)

The Airfield is approximately 44 acres in size and was acquired by Lec Refrigeration and the grass runway opened after the war in the 1940's. The airfield was vastly improved in 1984 with the creation of a hard tarmac surface with runway lights by Charles Purley and his son, David. There was a hanger built at the same time but this was subsequently damaged by a fire in 2001 and taken down.
The existing Local Plan shows a section of the proposed North-South Relief Road located on the Airfield, see below. This road is part of the overall strategy for Bognor Regis providing a link between the north of the town and Felpham to the south.
Arun District Council (ADC) have now produced their draft Local Plan (more information can be found on their website: www.arun.gov.uk) and the Airfield has been included as one of the Strategic Employment Land Allocations. The aim is to increase employment opportunities within the town and reduce the high level of out-commuting that is currently happening.

I grew up in Bognor before joining the mob. I remember seeing the runway (Tarmac by then) from the train between Barnham and Bognor stations. I'd always keep an eye out and did see a Pitts and a small twin operating. I'm pleasantly surprised to hear that the runway is there at least.

The old derelict LEC factory has been demolished and is now a superstore. David's accident was the summer I joined up. IIRC he was practising over the sea off Bognor, very sad but his short life was certainly boys own stuff! He was a bit of a local hero.

GG

I have it in my mind that when I was flying Argosys from Thorney Island in the 1960s, LEC were flying a DH Dove out of Bognor Regis?

It was only grass then but you could be right.

My trusty LEC fridge freezer celebrated its 30th birthday a couple of years ago! One new thermostat and a replacement compressor about 15 years ago....but the freezer seal is now knackered, so the old beast might have to be pensioned off soon...:uhoh:

Nevertheless, Bognor aerodrome was obviously a good location!

That would be Dove G-ALEC. (which was written off 6/5/59 with four fatalities.)