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A project to recreate a rare Second World War British fighter aircraft has been hit by the recession.
The team behind the restoration of a MkI Hurricane from the Battle of France say the number of volunteers coming forward to help has fallen as people feel the effects of the economic downturn.
The Cambridge Bomber and Fighter Society, which is behind the project, has put 10 years and 880,000 hours into building the aircraft from a collection of parts. It is expected to take another seven years.
The group is holding an open day during the Little Gransden Families Day Out Air and Vintage Vehicle Show at Little Gransden Airfield, where the Hurricane is being built, on August 26. The extra £1 fee to visit its hangar will go towards the restoration.
Paul Rogers, from Somersham, the project founder, said the recession had meant people had less time to give to the project.
He said: “I am pleased with the progress, but we could do with some more volunteers.
“We would usually get five or six volunteers each year, but we have only had about four this year. We are looking for volunteers to help with the wing which we think will take another five years to complete.”
He added: “We have got one of the main planes on the left side, all the guns are in and the ammunition feeds and we are doing work on the ribs on the main plane on the right hand side”.
The restoration is a tribute to 85 Squadron, in which Mr Rogers’ father Joe served in the ground crew. Parts of a Hurricane shot down over France after destroying a Heinkel bomber are being included"
Cambridge News
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