Amazing Model Aircraft Thrill Crowds at SMGWA

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Hundreds of spectators watched in awe as the nation's model aircraft enthusiasts put their flying machines through their paces in the skies above Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome on Saturday.

The Large Model Air Show saw an incredible range of remote-controlled aircraft, from World War One biplanes to modern jets, performing aerobatic and precision manoeuvres to the delight of the crowds. With some of the aircraft being the size of family cars and costing in excess of £20,000, on occasions reality was suspended and it was hard to tell that the pilots of these amazing flying machines were standing firmly on the ground!

With scale models of steam engines and miniature tanks at work on the ground, fascinating the younger visitors, along with stalls and food, the event was a fabulous day out for all the family, with around 500 visitors enjoying the show despite the changeable weather.

Doug Shorter, Operations Supervisor of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: "All who attended this year's fantastic Model Airshow were treated to a true testament to the skill of the ground-based pilots. The flying was superbly co-ordinated, ensuring that as soon as one display item was landing another was taking off, making for a seamless continuous spectacle throughout the day. The displays went from single models to team aerobatics and tail chasing military examples - flown so skilfully that if you didn't know they were models you would have assumed they were full sized manned aircraft."

While the Large Model Air Show was the last summer event on the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome's calendar for 2025, the Museum has a range of exciting fundraising activities still to come, including the Late Summer Fly-In on Saturday 27 September, Ceramic Poppy Workshop on Saturday 4 October and Frontline: Legacy history day on Friday 10 October. See the website for more details and booking information.

On non-event days, Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackman's Lane, Purleigh CM3 6RN is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, until 7 December (except 10 October), with fascinating exhibition halls, historic aircraft, interactive flight simulators, pedal planes and more, to keep every member of the family happy. The Airmen's Mess café serves food throughout the day.