Chelsea Reach
Note: This map only gives a rough idea of the site used. If anybody can kindly provide a more exact location, this advice will be most welcome.
CHELSEA REACH: Temporary helicopter landing area?
Period of operation: The 15th to 19th July 1959
NOTES: In 1959 the Daily Mail offered a £10,000 prize for the winner of an 'Air Race' from Paris to London to celebrate the half-centenary of the crossing of the English Channel by Louis Blériot in 1909. In 1909 the Daily Mail had offered a £1000 prize.
In this case however it was a race from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to Marble Arch in London and the Royal Navy decided to enter the challenge, with I would say a remarkable result. They made three attempts and the best time was posted on the 19th July was made by Commander Martin in just 43 minutes and 11 seconds. An astonishing achievement.
He left the Arc de Triomphe by motorbike to the Issy heliport, then by helicopter to Villacoublay airfield when he flew the Supermarine Scimitar XD268 to WISLEY (SURREY). He then boarded a helicopter to CHELSEA REACH before being taken by motorbike to Marble Arch. Today of course this entire area has been so redeveloped that I suspect no trace of where the helicopter landed exists?
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