Looking Ahead to a Fun-packed Autumn Season at SMGWA

View/Download Full Press Release (PDF)

The weather may soon be cooling down, but the excitement certainly isn't! Instead, Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is looking forward to a variety of events and experiences stretching right through to the end of the year.

First on the agenda is the Large Model Air Show on Saturday 12 September – all the thrills of an air show, but with the pilots standing firmly on the ground. And when it says "large", it means LARGE! – some of these incredible model aircraft are the size of a family car. With everything from early biplanes right through to modern jets, you can see the entire history of aviation in miniature at this exciting, family-friendly event. Flying takes place throughout the day, with ground-based models and trading stalls on the ground. There will also be a barbecue in addition to hot and cold food in The Airmen's Mess café.

Model aircraft are closely followed by full-sized military vehicles at Words Without Wires: The Story of Military Communications on Saturday 19 September. This living history event has been organised in association with Essex HMVA (Historic Military Vehicle Association), with a good number of vehicles expected to attend. The event has been designed to complement the site's permanent Words Without Wires exhibition, talking about the development of communication including Morse code, dropping messages from aircraft, and the advent of radio.This is one of Stow's "added value" events, which means that visitors can enjoy all the excitement of seeing history in action for the same price as standard museum entry.

There's more action in the air at the Late Summer Fly-In on Saturday 26 September. Another added value event, this is an opportunity for pilots of light aircraft to enjoy reduced priced landing fees and for land-based visitors to have the additional fun of seeing aircraft coming in and out throughout the day. Visitors arriving by air must obtain PPR in advance, see website for details.

Moving into October, Frontline: Faces & Spaces on Friday 9 October is the Aerodrome's popular one-day history seminar – a unique opportunity to hear expert speakers in the atmospheric environment of Europe's best-preserved World War One aerodrome. For just £35 a head, history fans can listen to three speakers --all experts in their fields, take part in object handling, have a behind-the-rope look at some of the historic aircraft on site, and enjoy a delicious lunch in The Airmen's Mess café. Full details are on the website.

2/… And that's not all. The next popular Family Nature Day will take place on 30 October during half term, with a fun-packed Friday of hunting for bugs in the wood, exploring owl pellets, identifying leaves, making bark rubbings, searching for fungi and taking part in some autumn/woodland themed craft activities. Children 0-10 are free for this and all the added value events, which include entrance to the aircraft hangars and exhibition halls.

Finally, before the excitement of Christmas begins, the afternoon Remembrance Parade will be held on Sunday 8 November. There is no admission charge to attend the parade, but those not in uniform will require a free ticket.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: "We are looking forward to a variety of autumn occasions, including our ever-popular Large Model Air Show, as well as a brand-new event focusing on the development of military communications. The cooler, quieter autumn months are also the perfect time for families to explore everything that our Accredited Museum has to offer."

For more information about any of the events, and to buy tickets online, visit www.stowmaries.org.uk/events .