A special evening reception at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre saw the launch of a unique aviation project and a fundraising initiative to help raise more of a wartime Sunderland flying boat which sank off the town 75 years ago.

On view for the first time was the impressive full-size replica Sunderland cockpit which is nearing completion after over 3,000 volunteer hours have been devoted to its creation.

And the Square Knot Crowdfunding website has been set-up to raise money for the recovery of Sunderland T9044 from its Haven site.

Reception guests included the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Wynne Evans; the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Clr. Peter Kraus, and Deputy Mayor, Clr. Maureen Colgan; and the Mayor of Pembroke, Clr. Pauline Waters.

The RAF’s Air Officer for Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams, was making a return visit to view the cockpit project, and he was joined by service veterans and representatives of local organisations.

They were welcomed by Gareth Mills, chairman of Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust, which runs the Heritage Centre. The cockpit project, he said, was funded through the Ministry of Defence Community Covenant and he praised the team involved in creating the replica.

“It has been constructed entirely by volunteers. There were no plans, only photographs and the knowledge of those volunteers who actually worked on Sunderlands. And the flight simulation around Pembrokeshire has been developed by volunteers with software skills.

“This is a testament to what a committed group can achieve. It has involved a lot of volunteers, but special thanks must go to Rik Saldanha, who is leading the project, and to Paul Tomlinson, Baz Clark, Peter Sherwood, Mike James, Chris Howell, Colin Evans, Ron Boreham and Graham Clarkson.”

The Crowdfunding website is a major Trust fundraiser initiative with the aim of raising much more of Sunderland T9044 to add to the artefacts from the aircraft which are already conserved and displayed at the centre. The story of T9044 has become widely known worldwide through the efforts of the Trust and its volunteers who include several locally based divers.

Further information on the fundraising is available through http://www.sunderlandtrust.com/crowd-funding/ and there are other ways in which the projects can be supported through the Derek Martin Fellowship.

Guests received a special fundraising pack and this is available to any potential supporter by contacting the Trust on 01646 684220, e-mail [email protected]