STORY BEHIND THE SCENE CHRIS FRENCH
88 FLYPAST September 2018
S
tow Maries Great War
Aerodrome lies to the east
of Chelmsford, about 7 miles
southwest of Maldon in Essex,
within an area of gently rolling
farmland. It is home to the largest
known surviving group of Royal
Flying Corps (RFC) buildings on
a preserved Wo rld War One-era
aerodrome. Unlike many air bases
of the day, Stow Maries was not
adapted for further military use
after the war.
Originally opened in 1916, it
was initially home to ‘B’ Flight of
the RFC’s 37 Squadron, and was
operational during the Air Defence
of Great Britain, a response to the
first raids by German Zeppelins
and Gotha bombers on London and
the South East. It played a key role
in attempts to counter the first
London Blitz the following year.
It was at Stow Maries that 37
Squadron transitioned from the
RFC to the Royal Air Force on April1, 1918. The squadron remained
at the base until March 1919 when
it moved to Biggin Hill in Kent.
Stow Maries was closed after the
unit’s departure. Although it was
considered for a return to duty
during World War Two, the type
of clay soil present rendered
it unsuitable for use by
heavier aircraft.
In 2016, I completed an oil painting
depicting the aerodrome as it
would have looked during the latterstages of World War One. The work
was commissioned by Stow Maries
Great War Aerodrome Ltd, the
charitable trust that now owns the
historic site. The resulting prints,
cards and other merchandise were
used to raise funds to help restore
the airfield to its original, wartime
appearance. This ongoing project
has also received National Lottery
funding – so far six buildings have
been conserved, with many more
to come.Ready For Ready For The OffThe Off
Aviation artist Chris French GAvA refl ects on the process he
used to create an evocative painting of Stow Maries airfi eld
as it looked during the Great War
‘Ready For The Off’ by Chris French GAvA.
ALL IMAGES BY OR VIA CHRIS FRENCH