Royal Flying Corps Living History Event at Stow Maries

Living History at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome <i>(Image: Kevin Gribble)</i>
Living History at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome (Image: Kevin Gribble)
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A living history event will take place at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome in Essex.

On Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, the museum will be transformed with a re-creation of military life during the First World War.

This will include a chance to see some of the historic aircraft based at the museum being readied for the summer season.

Three groups of living historians will be based on site over the weekend for the Royal Flying Corps Living History Event and will be in character as pilots and members of the Armed Forces.

Aircraft from the WWI Aviation Heritage Trust will also be out on the grass undergoing engine testing and final checks in readiness for summer air events, giving a rare opportunity to hear the roar of these classic engines.

Included in the standard museum admission charge, visitors will be able to interact with living history group members in costume, who will be going through "final training".

Neil Bond as a British Army Chaplain Neil Bond as a British Army Chaplain (Image: Ashley Bellingham)

The event aims to faithfully re-enact how air and ground crew replacements destined for France were pulled together in May 1916 for final refresher training before boarding trucks with other units for Felixstowe and the Front.

It will include military exercises and a Sunday morning chapel service in the museum’s Mortuary Building, where participants will attend in smart "walking-out dress."

The Lufbery Royal Flying Corps Living History Group will be representing Royal Flying Corps pilots and crew (predecessors of the RAF), the Past History group’s Neil Bond will be appearing as a British Army Chaplain and members of 399 Detachment, RND will represent a training camp of replacements for the Royal Naval Division.

The Airmen’s Mess café will be open all weekend for meals and snacks.

Ian Flint, chief executive officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, said: "The Royal Flying Corps Living History Event gives visitors a taste of military life on site, as troops prepared to head to war.

"It’s also a fantastic chance to see some of the historic aircraft tuning up."

All proceeds from opening to the public and all events directly fund the ongoing work to preserve and protect Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

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