The special connection between Pembroke Dock and the famous Spitfire floatplane has been remembered thanks to an enthusiastic modelmaker.

Peter Mitchell, a member of Penfro Model Group and Pembroke Dock Flying Boat Centre volunteer, has created a large scale model of the plane seen at Pembroke Dock in 1943, serial number EP751.

Peter unveiled his masterpiece at the centre recently. It will go on display at the centre, alongside other models he has made in recent years.

The Spitfire floatplane was tucked in among all the Sunderland flying boats at RAF Pembroke Dock during the height of the Second World War.

A unique photograph shows the Spitfire floatplane – one of only a handful built – near one of the two hangars, which still dominate the Pembroke Dock waterfront today.

Peter said: “This has been a long term project and has taken hundreds of hours to complete. It all started when the Sunderland Trust’s John Evans showed me the photograph of the floatplane.

“I made a 1:72 scale model immediately, but set myself a challenge to create a large model and bought a 1:24 scale kit.

The model has a wingspan of around 28 inches.”

The Spitfire is one of a number of model projects Peter has been working on recently – including a diorama of Swordfish floatplanes alongside one of the old Royal Dockyard slipways, which the Sunderland Trust plans to display in the future.

Peter said: “The Swordfish floatplane was another very rare type and was seen at RAF Pembroke Dock in 1940 and 1941 when operated by a Royal Navy unit.

“I have made three models of the floatplane version, all in 1:24 scale.

“Recently, photographs have come to hand of Swordfish at PD and I have based my models on these.

“The Swordfish and Spitfire floatplanes are further untold chapters in Pembroke Dock’s remarkable aviation history.”