MORAY’S SEA KING has arrived ‘home’ in Kinloss – and is set to become the centrepiece of a new science and technology experience planned for launch later this month.
Sea King XZ592 is the perfect example of the aircraft type employed on SAR duties at RAF Lossiemouth until they were withdrawn in April.
It took an intense campaign in Moray to ensure that the aircraft would become the only one of its type currently held by a private museum in the UK – and new custodians Morayvia are currently in the closing stages of an initial online fundraising effort to help pay the total £30,000 costs of brining the Sea King to Moray.
After undergoing a short tour of the region last month, the Sea King finally arrived at its new permanent home in Kinloss where last a week a team of volunteers – several with experience of maintaining the Sea King when it was in service with the RAF – set about reinstalling its tail section and propeller blades.
A spokesman for Morayvia was full of praise for the fantastic efforts being put in to ensure that the Sea King – along with a Nimrod, Canberra, Jet Provost and Vampire – are ready to go on show to the public.
He said: “Special mention in particular and our thanks must go to the Murray Family of Limehillock Quarries Ltd, LAS Plant and Billy Miller Ltd who gave up their time, equipment and expertise often at very short notice.
“The Morayvia Centre is planned to be open to the general public from mid to late August where people will be able to view the Sea King close up – in addition to many other aviation related exhibits gathered by Morayvia over the last few years.”
One of the first visitors to view the completed aircraft was the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnston, who has worked tirelessly to help the group turn their ideas of creating the aviation and science centre a reality.
Further information on the Morayvia project can be found online at http://www.morayvia.org.uk while donations to the creation of the Sea King exhibit – which as well as the aircraft itself will include a fully fitted ‘crew room’ – can be made online at http://igg.me/at/saveaseaking/x