Business Details
Preserving WWI Aviation History for Education
Established to preserve the legacy of World War I aviation, our organisation operates as a registered charity dedicated to educating future generations about the sacrifices and technological advancements of early military aviation. Through our collection of meticulously restored WWI aircraft, we deliver immersive educational experiences, including flying displays, historical reenactments, and apprenticeship programs in vintage aircraft preservation. Our mission extends to commemorating aircrews' contributions through initiatives like the Poetry Plane project, which distributes children's poems at historical battle sites. Collaborating with schools and heritage institutions, we provide STEM-focused learning days that combine flight simulators, historical quizzes, and creative writing workshops. Our team of experienced pilots, historians, and educators ensures each program maintains rigorous historical accuracy while remaining accessible to modern audiences.By maintaining operational aircraft from both Allied and German forces, we offer unique perspectives on the evolution of aerial combat tactics and technology. Our partnerships with heritage sites like Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome enable authentic educational experiences grounded in historical context. We actively seek funding to ensure accessibility for schools, particularly within Essex and North East London, while maintaining strict adherence to aviation safety and heritage preservation standards. Our trustees and contributors represent decades of combined expertise in aviation history, education, and aircraft restoration, ensuring our programs maintain both academic and technical integrity.
Services
Flight Simulator Experience
Poetry Plane Initiative
STEM Education Days
Aircraft Display
Apprenticeship Program
Highlights and features
- We offer authentic WWI aviation education through operational heritage aircraft
- Our STEM programs combine flight simulators with historical context
- We deliver nationally recognised apprenticeships in vintage aircraft preservation
- Our Poetry Plane project connects global youth with historical remembrance
- We maintain strict historical accuracy through expert-led research and restoration
What people say
Amazing flight simulator
Immersive poetry project
Expert volunteer knowledge
Perfect curriculum link
Memorable learning experience
Services
Flight Simulator Experience
Our advanced flight simulators recreate WWI aerial combat scenarios using authentic aircraft controls and historical battlefields. Students experience first-hand the challenges of early aviation while learning about technological limitations and pilot techniques. The program includes pre-flight briefings, mission execution, and post-flight debriefings conducted by experienced aviation educators.
Poetry Plane Initiative
This unique commemorative project collects children's poetry worldwide for aerial distribution at WWI battle sites. Poems are printed on seed paper containing poppy, cornflower, and forget-me-not seeds to symbolise remembrance. The annual July 1st Somme drop forms part of our broader educational program connecting history with creative expression.
STEM Education Days
Our mobile educational units deliver comprehensive STEM programs combining aviation history with technical learning. Activities include aircraft design workshops, aerodynamics experiments, and historical context sessions aligned with national curriculum requirements. Each day accommodates up to 80 pupils with customised content for different age groups.
Aircraft Display
We operate authentic WWI aircraft for static and flying displays at heritage sites and commemorative events. Our collection includes both Allied and German aircraft, allowing comparative demonstrations of technological evolution. Each display includes technical explanations of aircraft specifications and historical context from our expert pilots.
Apprenticeship Program
Our apprenticeships combine traditional engineering skills with heritage aircraft restoration techniques. Trainees work on authentic WWI aircraft under expert supervision, learning metalworking, wood construction, and fabric covering methods. The program includes both practical restoration work and historical research components.
People
Dick Forsythe
Trustee
Aviation historian and trustee with extensive experience in WWI aircraft preservation and educational program development.
Michael Drayton
Trustee
Former museum curator specialising in military aviation history and heritage site management expertise.
Jonathan Martin
Trustee
Aircraft engineer with specialist knowledge of WWI-era propulsion systems and restoration techniques.
Philip Clegg
Trustee
Educational consultant developing curriculum-aligned programs connecting history with STEM learning outcomes.
Sally Crabtree
Contributor
Poetry coordinator managing the international children's poetry collection and commemorative distribution program.
Questions
What educational programs do you offer for schools?
We provide STEM days combining flight simulators, historical quizzes, and poetry workshops focused on WWI aviation history.
How can students participate in the Poetry Plane project?
Schools can submit children's poems before 10th June for inclusion in our annual Somme commemorations aerial poetry drops.
Do you offer apprenticeships in aircraft restoration?
Yes, we provide nationally recognised apprenticeships in vintage aircraft preservation and heritage engineering techniques.
What aircraft are included in your collection?
Our collection features operational WWI aircraft including Albatros DVa, Sopwith Snipe, and BE2e models.
How can we book an educational visit?
Visit our website to check availability and complete the booking form for our mobile educational programs.
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