HUNDREDS of families and visitors flocked to Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome event over the weekend. 

The Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Propwash, on Sunday, celebrated all things aviation.

Hundreds of families and enthusiasts flocked to the museum to enjoy a day of thrilling aircraft, exciting presentations and bustling exhibitions.Maldon and Burnham Standard: Visitors - families and visitors enjoying the eventVisitors - families and visitors enjoying the event (Image: Andrew Critchell)

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Enjoying -visitors waving to passing by pilotsEnjoying -visitors waving to passing by pilots (Image: Andrew Critchell)

One hangar was packed out by visitors enjoying a fascinating talk by best-selling author Ian Castle.

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Later, there was standing room only for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet RAF veteran Second World War Mosquito pilot and guest of honour Jim Dearlove.

Crowds of supporters visited the site, enjoying the chance to get up close to rare aircraft.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Views - residents enjoyed air display of popular air craftsViews - residents enjoyed air display of popular air crafts (Image: Andrew Critchell)

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Families - multiple aircraft jumped into the air to perform breathtaking displays Families - multiple aircraft jumped into the air to perform breathtaking displays (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)

In the early afternoon, defying the weather, aircraft took off to perform breathtaking displays – ranging from the quirky and nerve-shredding Turbulent display, where aircraft limbo under obstacles, to the acrobatics of the Redhawk RF-4 which left coloured smoke trails across the blue skies.

The display closed with no fewer than eight Tiger Moths in formation, to rapturous applause from the ecstatic crowd.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome CEO Ian Flint said: "To have Mr Dearlove here with us has been an honour and a privilege.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Amazing - Grub 109 Motor GliderAmazing - Grub 109 Motor Glider (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Festivities - visitors listening to Ian Castle talk Festivities - visitors listening to Ian Castle talk (Image: Andrew Critchell)

"Then, to have the weather permit us to have so many of these wonderful aircraft in the air, too, was the icing on the cake.

"With so many aircraft in the air and on the ground to see, it’s no wonder that everyone on the site is beaming with smiles."

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Propwash was a new event on the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome calendar and is the first of its type totally dedicated to aviation.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Guest - Jim DearloveGuest - Jim Dearlove (Image: Andrew Critchell)

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Breathtaking - Miles MagisterBreathtaking - Miles Magister (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)

It featured plenty of attractions for visitors, including up-close-and-personal photo opportunities and clambering into cockpits.

The event is a major fundraiser which supports the work to preserve and protect Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

Situated between Chelmsford and Maldon in the Essex countryside, the aerodrome features the largest collection of Royal Flying Corps buildings in the world.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Festival - Sopwith Pup presented at the eventFestival - Sopwith Pup presented at the event (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Skilful - Peter Trick Master BlacksmithSkilful - Peter Trick Master Blacksmith (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)