Warbird Information Exchange

http://www.stowmaries.com/about.html

WW1 airfield to be restored.. nearly all original after 90years..

Will do roaring trade in a few years time i can bet ..

Alot safer to pour $1m GBP into this venture and see history come alive.......

That is fantastic. I never heard of the aerodrome, but what a time capsule!
I didn't see any plans for restoration of the aerodrome for any flying activities, but still, one place I'd like to visit.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I must have missed something.

No airplanes?

Dave

It is kind of vague on whether there will be airplanes, isn't it?

One can hope so.

August

I'm surprised that there is enough public interest in WW1 now that all the vets are gone that this would be viable. If venues like this are successful though, that bodes well for the WW2 stuff in the longer term.

If my travel plans ever brought me in the vicinity of this museum, I would certainly go.

I think this is definitely worth saving and restoring, so I hope it goes well! At the least we could buy some jam.

Is this located anywhere near the beaten path?

Stow Maries is just south of Maldon in Essex, about 40 miles from central London. It almost became a USAAF base No. 163 in WW2.

Regarding aeroplanes being based there, there may be planning restrictions to consider. The new owners will probably want to take things slowly and get things established first. There are model aeroplanes flying from there now.

Here are some pictures of the site from the air taken on Monday of this week.

Found it on Google Earth at:

51°40'11.95"N 0°37'46.56"E

What types of planes flew there? Interesting that it was an airfield and yet nothing is mentioned about the types that flew from there (except for a battle damaged Hurricane that landed there during WW2).

37 (Home Defence) Squadron was initially equipped with BE2s and then BE12s - a single seat development with a more powerful engine and more fuel. Later Sopwith 11/2 Strutters and Pups.

There was a group of three landing grounds: Stow Maries, Rochford (now Southend Airport just to the south) and Gardeners Farm, Goldhanger. Each had a flight from the Squadron.

Further west was another group: Hainault Farm, Suttons Farm (later RAF Hornchurch) and North Weald, which initially housed flights of 39 Squadron.

Here is a view of Gardeners Farm, Goldhanger, which is just north of the Blackwater Estuary and Osea Island (an MTB base in WW1).

I signed up for the e-newsletter, as I think this is a great project to follow. It looks like they will be getting an airworthy Sopwith Camel. So yes there will be a/c based at the field. When I get back over the pond this place is definately on my list.

http://www.stowmaries.com/news/story.asp?NewsID=17

Pete

couldn't hit the link. is this a museum or private endeavor??? very exciting nonetheless!!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

A museum.....

Stow Maries Aerodrome to Receive Sopwith Camel - 23/04/2009


Stow Maries Aerodrome is to be the home of what is believed to be the sole flying Sopwith Camel F1 First World War Fighter in the country.

Owners Russell Savory and Steve Wilson were delighted to receive the offer of this historic aircraft, to be housed at the aerodrome. They have accepted the offer with open arms. It is hoped it will be the first aircraft to arrive on site later this year and will be a major attraction to enthusiasts and general visitors alike.

It will bear the colours and markings of Lieutenant Hollington who was stationed at Stow Maries flying a Sopwith Camel in 1918.

The Sopwith Fighter became a legend during World War One, receiving the official credit for downing the 'Red Baron' Manfred Von Richthofen.

This aircraft will be the first in a series of period aircraft that will be resident at Stow Maries making the site a top visitor attraction for Maldon District. It is hoped this will bring the region to the forefront of the tourism market.