By Philip Sedgwick

FORMED four years ago, the Aircraft Restoration Group is a band of like-minded aero-enthusiasts who undertake rebuilds of aircraft, restore or create parts and components for collections or museums. Many have backgrounds in aviation, either in the industry or the services; some have been involved in aircraft preservation and restoration as far back as 1969.

The group’s base is a functional rather than plush former engineering works at Pickhill near Thirsk. It was easy to find, my instructions of ‘turn left at the Spitfire’ gave a clue as to what lay in wait. At the entrance a full-size replica of arguably the most famous fighting aircraft in the world sits on a trailer, ready to move to its new winter quarters.

Stepping inside, it is an overgrown schoolboy’s paradise with a jumble of aero-engines, cockpits, and other partially completed restoration projects.

The mainstay of this band of enthusiasts is Mike Eastman who greets me from behind a giant 16-cylinder aero engine. Originally from Burton on Trent, now an adopted Yorkshireman,he explains how it all came about.

He said: “ Like most lads brought up in the 1950 and 60s I collected model aircraft and went plane spotting.

“Although I could identify all types of aeroplane, I always liked Spitfires and Hurricanes.”

Starting working life as an apprentice at Hawker-Siddeley working on Nimrods and Victors; in 1969 along with a group of older men as a mere 16-year-old, Mr Eastman helped restore a former Fleet Air Arm Vampire jet.

Retiring after a career in the aero-industry and having to relinquish his private pilot’s licence due to medical reasons, Mr Eastman was determined not to waste a lifetime’s expertise. After losing his first wife he met and married Liz, a Masham girl and moved to the dales.

The restoration group started in an ad-hoc way, Mike along with five friends were asked by the British Legion to help build a full-size replica Spitfire. Following successful completion, it was auctioned and is now in a private collection. Mr Eastman’s tone implies he does not altogether approve of it not being on public view.

Their second project was also a Spitfire renovation, this time for the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum. The stricken aircraft had lain at the bottom of Loch Doon since October 1941 and is now a popular exhibit.

With a growing number of requests for their services, the Aircraft Restoration Group became official four years ago. Their first home was at Baldersby and sixteen months ago they moved into new premises at Pickhill. It is however, still too small for their ever-growing collection of aircraft and parts and is not currently open to visitors.

Although a full member of the British Aviation Preservation Council, they do not undertake work on airworthy aircraft but concentrate on static or ground running machines. Mike explained: “If we got the chance we would love a bigger place but we have a limited funds. Any money we receive goes into our projects.”

The team are mainly men but do have some female support; Mike’s wife Liz rather than becoming an aeroplane restoration widow rolls up her sleeves and gets stuck in. She explained: “ I even riveted the wings on a Spitfire restoration, during the war my mum worked making tail planes for Swordfish, so it must run in the family.”

A hard core of ten working volunteers mostly hail from the Northeast, North, and West Yorkshire. They include an ex-RAF pilot, an ex-RAF engineer, several businessman and two aviation-engineering students.

Tree surgeon and landscape gardener Dave Burton from Thirsk has been a volunteer for 12 months. He said: “ After being asked to transport the Spitfire I became friendly with Mike and now I help when I can.

“Although it’s mostly a labour of love, I can provide business advice as well.

”I do any job going as Mike is a good teacher. For volunteers, time and enthusiasm are what count. “

Throughout summer the team are very much in demand, spending most weekends at shows or displays. They recently supported Tees Valley Airport when one of the only two remaining airworthy Lancaster Bombers in the world paid a visit.

Their full-sized Spitfire model is the main crowd-pleaser, as they encourage photographs. Anyone capable of lowering themselves into the cockpit can instantly become a would-be Battle of Britain ace in exchange for a small donation towards their funds. They also have three aero engines, which also cause quite a stir when they start up.

Mike’s son Kevin has helped since he was 14. He said: “ We always get a such a great reaction from everyone; they all love the Spitfire. We would love to take it round schools. “

“It does make a strange sight on the roads though, we have some hair-rising stories of passing motorists taking photographs.”

Many of their completed projects are scattered at homes of supporters, as there is insufficient room at their base. They also manufacture parts from over 12,000 drawings they currently hold or ask local firms; even next-door Mother Hubbard’s Joinery have been called in.

Amongst their current work are two Spitfires they hope will end up as running taxis, and a 1953 De Haviland Sea Vampire one of only three in existence. They are also a key part of the ambitious Westland Whirlwind Fighter Project, which aims to recreate the twin-engined WW2 fighter.

An interesting exhibit housed above the office is a Flying Flea. Plans for these miniature flyers were published weekly in a newspaper enabling hundreds of people around the world to build their own aircraft. However during the 1930s, many crashed, resulting in some deaths so production was stopped. This particular aircraft was discovered in a barn.

Mr Eastman concluded:” We need to preserve these historic aircraft and would welcome new volunteers of any age or experience. We can provide training, so no one needs be put off.

“ One restoration in Malta started with me, two model makers and a bank manager and 11 months later the job was finished.”

Always on the look out for sponsorship, a deal to adorn the Spitfire’s trailer recently fell through, but Mike is open to offers. They love being with the public and as long as basic costs of transport and insurance are covered, they are cheap to hire.

:: To find out more on the Aircraft Restoration Group visit http://aircraftrestorationgroup.webs.com/.