David,
My home is near Meesden (where the Hermes came down) I've often ridden my bike, or run around the area and wondered if they were trying to make it into Nuthampstead. Though I'm not sure quite where it came down, Meesden is very close.
I believe the runways at Nuthampstead weren't broken up unitl the 60's and though I don't think it was operational in 1958, perhaps they were trying to land there. The runway (though shorter than Stansted) would have had the same alignment - 05/23.
Good luck with your writing.