Stow Maries Aerodrome (18) - 22 October 2013

Stow Maries Aerodrome was established in 1916 and initially was home to B Flight of 37 Home Defence Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. The aeroplanes of the day combatted the dual threat of German Zeppelins and Gotha bombers. The airfield was closed to military use as long ago as 1919 but a restoration project is well under way and its many surviving buildings are being brought back to 1919 condition after years of use as agricultural storage space. This shot is a compromise which I would not normally be happy with. My original concept was to capture as much as possible of the past with as little as possible of the present. Inevitably, the valuable work of today's volunteers impinges upon the images of the past.Thus this view of the water tower, airmens mess and latrines includes a pieces of a modern car, a windsock and evidence of the very work which is preserving this site for the 21st century. The airfield itself is active again and has benefited from extensive improvements to drainage. Stow Maries is well worth a visit if you have any sense of history or are simply curious.

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