AS Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome re-opens its doors again on Friday, 21 May, there will be an exciting new exhibit on show.

Ford Motor Company has loaned the World War One heritage attraction a Model T Ford for its new Motor Transport exhibition.

The precious vintage vehicle is to be housed in the Airframe Workshop.

Motor transport was an important part of Stow Maries aerodrome from 1916 to 1919. Henry Ford was unwilling to support the war effort initially - he would only supply a limited number of Model T chassis to the British, strictly for use as ambulances.

The Model T had a four-cylinder, 2896 cc engine and there were three types of Model T vehicle based at 37 Squadron - van, ambulance, and staff car. In the initial allocation of new vehicles there were nine Ford vehicles.

Ford supplied some 125,000 Model T vehicles during the war. The model now based at Stow Maries is a continuation model made with original materials and with authentic tools and methods. There are only three operating Model T vehicles now in existence across the world.

In addition to this exciting news, the site's new resident Living History Group, The Nimy Company will be at the Aerodrome on Saturday, 21 May.

The Nimy Company formed in summer 2013, with a view to commemorating the retreat from Mons in 2014. In their first two years they raised more than £9,000 for service charities. They have close connections to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and their patron is Maurice French whose uncle, Maurice Dease, was killed in action at Nimy Bridge on 23 August 1914. The group's main aim is to perpetuate the memory of 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers.

Stow Maries Chief Executive, Ian Flint said: "Firstly I am so delighted that the site will be open once again and delighted that we open our doors with a brand-new exhibition in place thanks to Fords Heritage department. The Nimy Company have been on site before, but to have them as a residency is a real asset to the site and will give visitors the opportunity to see how the site used to operate back in the day".

To book online to visit Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome or attend one of its four events for 2021, visit the website using the link here.