Model Nimrod returned to War Veteran’s Cottages, Orchard Road, Forres
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A MEMORIAL to the relationship between the RAF and the area, and all the servicemen who operated in maritime patrol aircraft, has returned to Forres.
In February 2019, representatives from RAF Lossiemouth co-ordinated by Sergeant Andy Holborn collected the wood and steel model Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft from the flower bed display at War Veteran’s Cottages, Orchard Road, to clean, strip, repair and repaint it.
Sgt Holborn is delighted to see the re-finished version re-mounted in the gardens after a joint effort from his colleagues and a motor body repairs firm to complete the work.
He said: "I am really happy that the Nimrod has been returned to Forres. It’s now in much better condition and looks fantastic back in its original colours.
"The renovation work was extensive and required stripping the model back to its bare metal base. Various sections at RAF Lossiemouth assisted by acquiring materials, welding sections and crafting pieces from wood to match the original design."
The restoration took longer than expected because the extent of the work needed was only discovered once many layers of paint and filler had been stripped away. The initial strip down took over a month and was conducted after working hours.
Sgt Holborn said: "Once the model was in a suitable condition, Ashgrove Motor Body Company stepped in to undertake the mammoth task of restoring and re-painting it. Their help was vital because without it we wouldn’t have been able to complete such a vast task within a sensible timescale.
"It's return has taken longer than we’d hoped due to delays caused by Covid-19 and deployments but now it’s finally back where it belongs. I hope it will serve as a fitting tribute for many years to come."
