Stilemans
STILEMANS: Private airstrip
Note: Both of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: Roughly 1.5nm SE of Godalming town centre
Period of operation: 1950s to late 1960s at least?
Runway: Probably 02/20 800 grass
Note: Perhaps, in the early days? 15/33 400 grass
The runways in the picture shown above are only my guess
NOTES: We have Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide' for pointing out this location. He tells us that in 1958 two aircraft were based here; the Miles Hawk Trainer G-AKKR and the Cessna 310 G-APNJ. My guess is that if a 400 metre 15/33 runway existed, this would almost certainly have been for use by the Hawk Trainer. Tail-draggers don't like cross-winds. Also, the Cessna 310 G-APNJ would have been amongst the first light aircraft imported into the UK once restrictions were lifted. This decision by the UK government resulting in a flood of mostly American light aircraft.
It appears the Aga Khan acquired this property in the late 1960s and had an airstrip located to the east of his private 'racecourse'. This fits in nicely with where I think the earlier main airstrip was positioned.
As always in this 'Guide', if anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
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