MEMBERS of a county-based plane restoration group are looking for a new home.

The Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland (APSS) have been based at the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune for more than 40 years, but are having to move out, so need somewhere to work.

They are currently in the final stages of building, from scratch, a Sopwith 1½ Strutter biplane – a project which began 16 years ago.

Gerard Lohan, a member of the APSS, told the Courier: “We have built what will be the only flying First World War fighter in Scotland and we want to see it in the skies above East Lothian.

“Not many people know about us, which really is a shame.

“The Strutter is nearly finished, and it will look really impressive when it’s done.”

Mr Lohan also explained the need to find a new home, with suitable space to work on their projects.

“The museum are moving us out of the workshop we are in,” he said.

“All the planes at the museum are no longer in use, but ours will be an active plane, and that’s not something they’re covered for.

“We don’t even have a hangar – the last time we fully assembled the Strutter they gave us hangar one to work in, but they’re not able to do that any more.

“We can’t set it up outside because any adverse weather would give us a problem.

“The next time it comes out of the workshop will be the last – it won’t go back in.”

In the long-term, the group has also outlined its hope to set up a new museum, focusing on the planes used in the First World War.

Mr Lohan added: “It would be like a First World War aerodrome but that is a long way off. Everything is up in the air at the moment.

“This replica airfield will be a great new attraction for visitors and will provide opportunities for employment and for local businesses to become involved.”

A spokeswoman for National Museums Scotland, which runs the National Museum of Flight, said: “We are pleased to have been able to assist with the APSS’s valuable project to build a replica Sopwith 1½ Strutter by providing them with space to work on the aircraft. As the project nears completion, a larger space in another location is required for the aircraft to be finished.

“We have welcomed support from APSS members over the years as volunteers, most recently in helping to prepare aircraft for display in our new hangars which opened at Easter, and we look forward to continuing to work with some of their members as volunteers in the future.”