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A WWI Afternoon, Sunset and Night Shoot with flying, period vehicles and re-enactors, 22nd April 2017

About this event

 

We are delighted to be bringing you another very unique afternoon; sunset and night shoot at the former WWI aerodrome Stow Maries in the heart of the Essex Countryside. Working closely with the team at Stow Maries and the WWI Aviation Trust we will be offering you the unique opportunity to photograph some beautiful WWI Aircraft throughout the afternoon and evening.

With our afternoon starting at around 16.00 we plan to create various cameos around the airfield posing the local living historians (re-enactors) with the aircraft as static displays. Then subject to weather some of the aircraft will take to the skies so that you may capture them where they belong. As the sunset approaches we will position the planes in a way that allows us to take full advantage of the scene, this will include a number of engine runs to bring these wonderful aircraft to life in the setting sun.  As the last of the light disappears from the evening sky we will turn on our lights to add a whole different dimension to the airfield. Our night photography will conclude with further engine runs bringing an end to proceedings at around 21.00.

The aircraft we are expecting to take part in this event include 2 x BE2e, Sopwith Snipe, and the recently arrived Nieuport 17, there is hope of another one or two airframes and we will add information of these as we get it. We are  also hoping to have a collection of period electric truck/RFC van which are sure to add to the scenes and bring further atmosphere.  

Stow Maries Aerodrome was established in 1916 two years after the Great War began as the base for No 37 (Home Defence) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.  The Squadron’s role was to defend the nation against Zeppelin raids, which generated huge hysteria in UK and the Empire that far exceeded the actual damage and casualties that they caused. More than 20 airfields in Kent and Essex were prepared in a barrage defence to defeat the Zeppelin menace. Stow Maries at the time of its commissioning in 1916 consisted of 34 buildings including an Officers and Airmen’s Mess.  The crews had to get airborne in underpowered, fabric-covered biplanes, open to the elements in the dark that required enormous bravery to take-off, let alone fight. By 1917 the Zeppelins had been superseded by Gotha bombers, which were faster than the Zeppelin and which required a different strategy to defeat – a layered defence.  This concept was still in place for the Battle of Britain 23 years later.  

Stow Maries Aerodrome remained operational until 1919 before being returned to the farming family who used the buildings as grain stores and vehicle sheds for over 80 years.  It is now held in Trust and is a listed site, being returned to its former glory by the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust. Working in partnership with SMGWA, the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust (WAHT) is advancing education about the evolution of military aviation and the courage of the crews in the Great War by the creation and maintenance of a flying collection of late-model original WW1 aircraft - connecting current and future generations with the foresight and bravery of their forebears.  The Trusts’ combined vision is for a fully operational dynamic WW1 aerodrome that is an enduring worldwide centre of excellence and host to STEM and apprenticeship initiatives by the centenary of Armistice Day in 2018.

We really believe this could well be one of the highlights of the 2017 calendar and therefore expect tickets to sell fast.

Event cost £60.00 per person.

All images courtesy of Andy Rouse ©2016

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