Wings & Wheels pulls in the crowds

A replica World War 1 Nieuport 17, and later biplanes including a Hawker Fury, Hornet Moth and Blackburn B-2 graced the skies, while classic cars filled the Memorial Square.

The celebration of land and air vehicles saw the world’s fastest road car, a Bugatti Veyron, joined by Motion Pictures Movie cars, historic motorbikes, military vehicles and local classic car clubs.

Air displays featured the Stampe Formation Display Team, and the first display of the season by The Tiger Club’s Turbulent Display Team, one of the longest-established flying display teams in the world. The Turbs gave a barnstorming low-level display, flying under ‘goalposts’ just three feet from the ground and bursting balloons in mid-air.

Visitors also enjoyed Flight Line tours of WWI aircraft, testing their skills on a flight simulator and having photos taken in reproduction aircraft. The Aerodrome’s two museums were open, along with the Airmen’s Mess cafe and a variety of displays and stalls.

Chief Executive of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Ian Flint said, “Visitors of all ages enjoyed fantastic vintage flying displays and classic vehicles at our first event of 2017. They also discovered the history of our unique site in our newly-opened 37 Squadron museum and our home defence museum.

“Thanks to our amazing volunteers, our work to conserve the Aerodrome’s original buildings is progressing well. We hope hundreds more visitors will see what we’ve achieved at our Day for Dads and Armed Forces Day events in June.”  

Stow Maries Great War aerodrome is open to the public from 10am–5pm, every day except Tuesdays. For more information visit www.stowmaries.org.uk