Airfield’s bid for a chopper museum
PLANS have been unveiled for a helicopter museum and rehabilitation centre for disabled ex- military personnel.
If given the go ahead it will be built at Shotton Airfield, near Peterlee Parachute Centre.
The brainchild of retired Army Air Corps engineer Duncan Moyse and designed by Durham- based Ashdown Architects, it has already acquired helicopters, including the Bell 47 Westland Sioux, featured in the M* A* S* H TV series.
Museum trustee Madeleine Ashdown said: “Veterans will undertake training programmes specially tailored to build skills and confidence to help them get back to work.”
Ms Ashdown said the proposals have attracted interest from helicopter firms offering contracts for servicing, maintenance and dismantling obsolete machines, which would ensure the project is sustainable.
The group, which hopes it will give the area a jobs boost, is developing courses, with the collection to provide material for teaching packages and hands- on learning.
She added: “The museum will develop an important collection of historic helicopters, many of which would rust away and dis- integrate if not given a home and lovingly restored.”
“This is first and foremost a community- based project and has been welcomed by the people of Shotton Colliery and East Durham,” added Ms Ashdown.
A planning application is expected to be submitted to Durham County Council in the coming weeks. To make a donation to fund- raising drive, visit uk. virginmoneygiving. com/ charities/ DurhamHelicopterMuseum.