TWO exciting and nationally unique Sunderland flying boat projects are flying high at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre after a double launch ceremony last Friday, April 21.

A replica Sunderland cockpit, built by the volunteers, and a large-scale interactive Sunderland model, created by a Narberth company, were unveiled before an invited audience.

The cockpit, faithfully depicting a Mark I Sunderland, has been made over the last two years by a volunteer team led by Rik Saldanha. Funding came from the Armed Forces Community Covenant and the cockpit project was officially launched by the RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams.

Funding for the 14ft wingspan Sunderland model - one of the largest yet made in the UK - was generously provided by Ann McPhee, her sons Ross and Quentin and the extended family of a former Sunderland pilot, the late Wing Commander Harry Bunting, OBE.

The interactive model was made by Narberth-based Autodromo, based in Narberth, it is the only one in the UK.

Ann McPhee, who vividly remembers the Sunderlands at Pembroke Dock as her family lived in the town in the 1950s, spoke of the family’s pleasure at supporting the Heritage Centre and the community. She recalled that her father had flown over 4,000 hours on many different types of aircraft, well over 1,000 of those hours on Sunderlands. He flew all marks of Sunderland from before the Second World War, on operations during the war and in the 1950s and was at RAF Pembroke Dock in 1957 when these well remembered flying boats were finally retired.

The craftsmanship of Andy Cann, Harriet Addyman and their Autodromo team in creating the model Sunderland in every last detail was particularly praised.

Guests were welcomed by Centre Manager Stuart Berry and by Gareth Mills, Chairman of the Sunderland Trust which runs the Heritage Centre in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel.

Against a backdrop of photographs taken over the past two years Rik Saldanha detailed the cockpit’s development and the involvement of so many individuals, totally at least 7,000 man hours.

Cubs from the 3rd Pembroke Scout Group were on hand to make a first test of the Sunderland model and cadets from 2420 (Whitland) Squadron, Air Training Corps formed a guard of honour. The band of 948 (Haverfordwest) Squadron, ATC, marched in the grounds of the Centre and played for the guests.

There was a special ‘welcome home’ for former Sunderland airman Ron Boreham - one of the Sunderland Trust’s first volunteers. Ron, who was much involved in making the flight simulation for the cockpit project, moved to Norwich last year but returned for the launch event. And Margaret Black, the longest serving volunteer, presented Ann McPhee with a bouquet and a commemorative plaque to mark her Sunderland Trust Fellowship. Fellowship members are those who support the project with major donations and Ann and her sons Ross and Quentin are all Fellows.

Visitors can now become cockpit crew and also see the interactive Sunderland model at the Heritage Centre which is open 10 am to 4 pm daily except for Sundays.