SUNDERLAND flying boats will again be taking off and landing in the Milford Haven Waterway - thanks to a unique project at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre and funding through a Ministry of Defence covenant programme.

The Royal Air Force’s Senior Officer in Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams, OBE, ADC, had a preview on a return visit to the Centre where a replica of a Sunderland cockpit is being created by a volunteer team.

Following the launch of the programme last year, in partnership with county councils, the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust was granted support to enable this innovative and unique exhibit to be created.

Measuring over five metres long, the cockpit is rapidly taking shape and will include the positions for two pilots and other crew. It will be accessible for wheelchair users. Three large TV screens will feature take-off and landing sequences around the Haven Waterway of the giant Sunderland flying boats which graced local skies and waters for nearly 20 years. The flying sequences are being created by volunteers Ron Boreham and Graham Clarkson.

Leading the construction crew is retired RAF officer Rik Saldanha helped by Mike James, Colin Evans and other volunteers.

Rik said: “We are recreating the full-sized cockpit, using wood and fibre glass. You now realise just how big these aircraft were, and PD had dozens of them here in wartime.”

Air Commodore Williams said: “During my visit I was immensely impressed with the Heritage Centre. In particular, I was delighted to see the excellent progress being made in building the Sunderland cockpit and I think this will be a great addition to what the Heritage Centre offers, not least because it will help to bring to life what flying and operating in a Sunderland might have been like during the Second World War.”