Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome

Stow Maries Aerodrome is a historical airfield located in the village of Stow Maries, Essex. it has been given listed status on account of being the best preserved airfield with the largest known surviving group of RFC buildings on a WWI aerodrome that was not adapted for further military use later in its history.

Originally opened in 1916 as home to B Flight of No 37(HD) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, the aerodrome saw the birth of the Air Defence of Great Britain in response to the first raids by Zeppelins and Gotha bombers on London and the South East. It played a key role in the Battle for Britain (the first London Blitz) the following year. It was at Stow Maries that No 37 Squadron transitioned from the Royal Flying Corps to the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. It continued in its dedicated role until May 1919, when the RAF moved out, and the site was susequently reverted to Flambirds Farm and its age-old farming role. The existing buildings were repurposed or converted to residential and agricultural use and the airfield turned over to pasture.

The site has a growing collection of objects directly related to the site and its activities, which form part of the extensive interactive exhibitions and dioramas, including vehicles and aircraft. The airfield remains active. 

Built in 2016 by The Vintage Aviation Ltd (TVAL), New Zealand (ZK-ALB), and now operated by the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust.

Registered May 1930. Dismantled Brooklands 1939.  Rebuilt 1950 and preserved at the RAF Museum

[ Previously displayed at Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester until 20th January 2022 ]

Built in 2014 by The Vintage Aviation Ltd (TVAL), New Zealand (ZK-TFZ), and now operated by the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust.

Built by Nottingham based Rolls-Royce engineer Don Cashmore between 1976 and 1980. Registered G-BFDE 22nd September 1977.

Maiden flight 22nd June 1980. Following a heavy landing in 1982, the aircraft was purchased by the RAF Museum and subsequently displayed at RAF Museum Hendon.

Built 1988

Built in 1976 as a static replica for the film 'Aces High' and for the TV series 'Wings'.

Displayed as A653 of 37 (Home Defence) Sqn, Royal Flying Corps, that was based at Stow Maries.

Started by The Paralyser Group the project to build a full scale replica was relocated to Stow Maries in April 2022 in the hope a fundraiser can be found to complete the project.