Pupils at Westwood Park Primary School in Winton will look to the skies this Sunday 1 May as the school prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Retired carpenter Alan Clare, who helps out at fathers project Salford Dadz in Little Hulton, is preparing a special treat for the children in the form of a one-third size replica of a 1916 Avro 504 bi-plane.
This particular model would have been seen flying over the skies of Eccles 100 years ago.
Although it saw very little combat in World War One, it was used as a training plane for pilots in the air battles of World War Two.
Its designer, aviation pioneer Alliot Verdon Roe, better known as AV Roe, was born about half a mile away from the school on Liverpool Road in Patricroft.
He was one of the world’s first aircraft builders and one of the industry’s most successful and lauded pioneers.
AV Roe with the very earliest aeroplane model in 1907
His company built the Avro Lancaster, one of the pre-eminent bombers of the Second World War, and the delta wing Avro Vulcan, a stalwart of the Cold War.
Vulcan Bomber flypast: Iconic plane can be seen in Salford skies this weekend
Alan is keen to get the schoolchildren involved in helping assemble the plane as well and wants to make it a proper hands-on affair.
AV Roe was born in Patricroft and built planes in Trafford Park
When painted and complete it’ll take pride of place in the school playground.
“There’s a lot of history and science in this project,” said Alan.
“I hope some of the children get interested not only in how planes work but I hope they break a bit of it so they have to work out how to put it back together again!”
He says the plane will hopefully encourage the children to learn more about AV Roe who lived in Patricroft but also more about the Great War and the surrounding area in which they are growing up.
The plane can sit two children in it and Alan assures me that this model despite it being made of wood – kindly donated by Carlicks Contract Furniture of Swinton – is actually more sturdy that the 1916 model, which was flimsy by comparison.
Headteacher Sara Walker is delighted that Alan has kindly donated his time and skill to ensure that the planned celebrations are a roaring success and is confident that the plane will be the highlight of the anniversary celebrations.
On offer for parents and children are free donkey rides, petting zoo, Pontiac band, tea room, steel band, karate demonstrations and more.
The 100th Anniversary celebrations at Westwood Park Primary School on Vaughan Street in Winton start at 11am on Sunday 1 May and will run until 3pm.
Main image: Alan Clare, Shanice Hall, Bailey Napper, Oliver Godula, Porcha Tukele
Additional images/video via verdon-roe.co.uk
