A HISTORIC aircraft is going to be restored to its former glory after arriving at its new home in County Durham.

The Hunting Jet Provost was delivered to Fishburn Historic Aviation Centre, near Sedgefield, yesterday by road and is already proving a big hit.

Aircraft Restoration Group Volunteers acquired the aircraft – previously used to train pilots – from a beer garden in Northallerton.

The 32 ft long aircraft stood at The Standard pub for 16 years.

It was originally bought by a group of regulars however, after the pub was taken over by new owners it had no place.

Mike Eastman, Fishburn Historic Aviation Centre chairman said: “We asked about the future of the aeroplane and they very kindly incorporated themselves within our organisation so that’s how it came to us.

“It was one of the basic training early planes for pilots in the Royal Air Force in the 1960s and 1970s.

“This particular aircraft was used for training Royal Navy pilots and some foreign air force pilots. It did some time at North Yorkshire at RAF Leeming and RAF Linton-On-Ouse.

“There has been a lot of interest in the plane already from visitors. We’ve had a lot of people visit us today to look at it and take photographs.”

Mr Eastman believes there are around two dozen Hunting Jet Provost in the UK and volunteers have plans to restore the aircraft to its former glory.

He said: “She has been sat out in the elements for the last 16 years so is quite weathered. We are planning to clean her up, as she has a few dints here and there. We’ll give her a new cockpit canopy, new coat of paint and freshen her up so she looks the part.”

Although the plane will probably never fly again, it will take centre stage at the museum among around ten other aircrafts.

Other historic aircrafts on show at the County Durham museum include, a De Havilland Dove and the UK’s only all electric microlight, which was designed and built at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

The volunteer group is always looking for new members and has aircraft enthusiasts aged between 15 and 94.

Anyone looking to join the aircraft group can email the team at ARG@aircraftmail.com

Find out more about the Aircraft Restoration Group by visiting @AircraftRestorationGroup on Facebook.