Spitfire model gets a makeover

For more than 40 years a model Spitfire has stood in a village garden as a tribute to The Few.

But old age and the elements were taking their toll, and by 2010 the landmark was in a very sorry state.

Now, though, after two years of work by apprentices at the RAF Museum, Cosford, it has been restored to its former glory and is back on display in the garden. "I think it looks great," said John Lloyd, 67, who lives with his wife Joan and son Darren in Kynnersley, near Telford.

The Spitfire was a garden feature when he bought the house 14 years ago. It is thought that it was originally made as a weather vane. "Everyone around here knows the house that has the Spitfire in the garden," Mr Lloyd added.

"For years it was a landmark, and people used to say to me 'you live where the plane is, don't you?', and after a while, if I ever needed to tell anyone where I lived, I'd just say 'where the plane is'."

One man who had been driving past the house for many years decided that the model had seen better days. The driver, who has not been named, sent an email to the RAF Museum, bringing to their attention the fact that the Spitfire was badly rusted up and in need of some special care.

Mr Lloyd said: "The man had been driving past the house for 30 years or more and had seen it get into a bit of a state from how it was previously."

The museum saw it as a learning opportunity for its team of apprentices.

Bosses got in touch with Mr Lloyd and offered to restore it.

After spending almost two years in the RAF Museum's conservation centre, the model has been returned to Mr Lloyd, who is so pleased that he has made a donation to the museum.