Two Different Spitfires and a Unique WW1 Bomber Scheduled to Visit Stow Maries!

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Seeing one Spitfire in the air is rare – but seeing two different ones in a single week? Well that could only be happening at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome!

The accredited Museum, which is the largest surviving World War One aerodrome in the world, is proving its importance in the world of heritage aviation with the impressive coup of booking a double-bill of the impressive WW2 fighters, plus a display by the only airworthy DH-9 World War One bomber in the world.

The first Spitfire will be appearing as part of the thrilling line-up for The Stow Maries Air Show on Saturday 23 August. Built in 1943 in Castle Bromwich, the Mk9 Spitfire, LZ842, is the only one of its kind still flying that was originally painted in desert camouflage, and the only Spitfire flying in the world with a Rolls Royce Merlin 63 engine. After seeing service in Casablanca, Malta, Corsica and France, the aircraft languished as scrap for decades before being fully restored in 2021 and starting displays this year.

Also scheduled to fly at the air show (weather and operational reasons permitting) is the only airworthy Airco DH-9 in the world, E8894/G-CDLI. This World War One bomber is truly one-of-a-kind – carefully restored to its former glory after being found in a dilapidated state in 2000 hidden in an elephant stable at the Imperial Fort and Royal Palace in Bikaner, India. It is expected to be flying in formation with other celebrated WW1 aircraft, including a Nieuport, an Albatros and two Fokkers.

The second Spitfire to be seen in the skies over Stow will be one of the six aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, scheduled to fly-over during the Back to the WW2 Farm event just a week later on Saturday 30 August, adding an extra bit of wartime realism to this fascinating living history event.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: “The Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history – and to have not just one, but two in a week, confirms our status as the place to be this summer if you love historic aircraft. However, what is even more exciting is the fact that we have the only airworthy DH-9 in the world on the schedule for The Stow Maries Air Show – this unique aircraft only flies at a handful of events, and this is the only chance in 2025 to see it in the skies of Essex. Tickets are always a sell-out, so don’t miss this!"

Tickets to The Stow Maries Air Show are available from www.stowmaries.org.uk/events and must be purchased in advance. Adults: £21.98, Child 6-15: £11.29, Infant 0-5: free, Family ticket (2+2): £54.05. Tickets to Back to the WW1 Farm are available online and on the door at the normal Museum admission fee.

In addition to all the special events and activities, Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Hackman’s Lane, Purleigh CM3 6RN will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, throughout the summer, 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 provides delicious food and drink and there’s a well-stocked gift shop.