Chattis Hill private
CHATTIS HILL: Private airstrip
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Mr Don Shead (The well known luxury yacht and speedboat designer - please Google his history)
Location: Just N of the A30, just W of the WW2 Supermarine factory airfield, and roughly 1.5nm W of Stockbridge
Period of operation: Early 2000s
Note: It is hard to say for how long this airstrip existed. It wasn't there in 2002, and had disappeared by 2017.
Runway: 02/20 490 grass
PERSONAL MEMORIES
In late November 2006 I was asked by Don Shead to collect a SIAI-Marchetti L-1019 from Locarno aerodrome in southern Switzerland, and deliver it here.
It was I believe the only example imported into the UK. Without much doubt amongst the most fulfilling aircraft moves I ever made - what a privilege. And, Don intended to get it back to flying condition. I also obtained permission to fly into his airstrip, but much to my regret now, failed to take up the offer.
Incidentally, having loaded the L-1019 I managed to get a flight in the Piper J-3C-65 Cub, N6685H, also seen in this first picture. I was a bit younger in those days but even so it was best to ask people to turn their backs rather than witness me trying to get into the front seat of a Cub.
From memory I think the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator), was a calender. After circling to gain height for what seemed like two or three days, we finally made it through the pass to fly around Lake Locarno.
Joking aside, it really is such a pleasure to fly such a classic old-timer around such stunning scenery - it really cannot be beaten.
NOTES ON THE L-1019
Based on the Cessna 0-1 and/or L-19 Bird Dog, Italian designers - from a country who are accredited with being consistently amongst the best in the world - immediately saw that the Americans had failed to realise the potential in this design. And set about showing what it really was capable of. The result being the SIAI-Marchetti L-1019, and what a fabulous performer it was.
Today of course the duties this aircraft was designed for have and are, in the main, being performed by hugely more complex and expensive helicopters.
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