VOLUNTEERS building a replica First World War bi-plane intend to fly it early this year to mark its 100th anniversary.
The Sopwith 1.5 Strutter aircraft is unmistakable as the forerunner to the Sopwith Camel, which felled Manfred Von Richthofen, the Red Baron, after countless aerial dogfights.
The Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland, the group which has about a dozen members and is restoring the plane in East Lothian with the help of National Museums of Scotland (NMS), said the prototype was introduced into service in April 1916.
Retired surgeon John Guy said the team has raised upwards of £45,000 through support from NMS, private and commercial donations and crowdfunding – which alone raised about £8,000 – to reach this stage.
Mr Guy, 76, said a take-off date is expected to be announced within weeks.
He said: “This year, 2016, is going to be the centenary year of the aircraft arriving at East Fortune as a squadron whose job it was to patrol the Firth of Forth and the North Sea against a German assault.”
Described in The Guardian newspaper as the “oldest self-educated aeronautical engineers in the world”, the team’s members are all retired, the eldest being 93 years old.
East Fortune is home to a flight collection that includes one of the ultimately ill-fated Concorde supersonic jets.
NMS director Dr Gordon Rintoul said earlier that 2016 is to be a “hugely significant year”.
He added: “It is especially fitting that dramatic new displays of our collections of science and technology, decorative art, design and fashion will be unveiled during the Year Of Innovation, Architecture, and Design.
“We are also looking forward to unveiling a transformed visitor experience at the National Museum of Flight which is already one of Europe’s major aviation museums and will showcase our outstanding collections in new and exciting ways.”
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