Over 50 Visiting Aircraft Drop in at SMGWA to Finish the Summer in Style

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Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome welcomed 52 aircraft and their pilots and passengers for a highly successful Late Summer Fly-In on Saturday 27 September.

The last major air activity of the summer, the Fly-In saw single-engine, fixed wing aircraft from all over the country arriving and taking off throughout the day, to the delight of more than 300 visitors.

Visiting aircraft ranged from the charmingly historic to the sophisticated and modern. Some of the vintage visitors included a 1930s DH82a Tiger Moth II, and a 1942 Piper J3C Cub that served in the United States Army Air Forces. Among the younger arrivals were a newly registered Eurofox 2K light aircraft and a brightly coloured Christen Eagle II.

Pilots mingled with aviation enthusiasts in The Airmen’s Mess café, giving everyone a chance to find out more about the visiting aircraft.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: “We were delighted to see such a large turn-out of aircraft supporting our Fly-In, and visitors enjoyed seeing the wide range of eras and types represented. There was a real buzz in The Airmen’s Mess! Our Museum welcomes visiting aircraft almost every weekend but seeing this many at once was a real treat!”

While the Late Summer Fly-In marks the last of the accredited Museum’s major air activities for the season, there are still a number of events to come, including:

Frontline: Legacy, Friday 10 October: A whole-day event exploring aspects of the legacy of World War One, with a fascinating line-up of guest speakers. Tickets just £30 including buffet lunch.

Remembrance Parade, Sunday 9 November: A poignant reminder of the reason for the existence of SMGWA. Free, but tickets essential.

Christmas Lunches, Thursday 20 November and 4 December: home cooked Christmas lunch in the historic atmosphere of The Airmen’s Mess café (must pre-book).

SMGWA, Hackman’s Lane, Purleigh CM3 6RN normally opens to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, until Sunday 7 December. For more information and bookings visit www.stowmaries.org.uk. Pilots wishing to fly in to the Museum can book during office hours to do so – check https://www.stowmaries.org.uk/contact/directions-air for details.