MOFFAT’S Spitfire is coming into land at Dowding House in the spring, much to the delight of its owner.
The life size replica of a PT 462 Spitfire, which currently sits in a garden in the town, has got the go-ahead to be moved to the grounds of Dowding House as a tribute to Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, who was born in Moffat and served as a commander during the Battle of Britain and played a crucial role in the UK’s defence and in bringing modern aircraft, like Spitfires, into service.
It has long been the dream of the aircraft’s owner, Dr Hamish Macleod, to bequeath the plane to the people of Moffat and Dowding House upon his passing.
And in January 2022 the Moffat Spitfire Project was founded with the help of Alistair Kerr to make that dream a reality – finally getting planning permission in the last few weeks from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Dr Macleod said: “I officially left the Spitfire to the people of Moffat and Dowding House in 2016, to look after it and maintain it, and the RAF Association accepted it, out of respect for Dowding.
“But Alistair thought I should get to see it there before I hopped the twig, so that’s how this whole thing started.”
Initial proposals saw the plane being mounted above a union flag emblem made of red paving, cultivated lawns and flower beds filled with blue flowers, with a bust of Dowding.
However, some residents were apprehensive, so the plans were redesigned to be more of a tribute to Dowding, who lived locally as a child.
Dr Macleod added: “It is all to pay tribute to Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding – some people don’t realise just how much he did for the free world. He was a hugely brilliant man, truly ahead of his time. The flower beds, union jack, and pedestal have been removed from the design by David Major. I think a lot of the unhappiness came from the idea that it would be a massive tourist attraction with lots of people coming and going. Obviously the people of Dowding House had their input as it is their home.
“But it will now serve purely as a tribute to a great man.”
The plane is expected to be moved in April and once in place it will be refurbished and repainted in situ by Bob Sloan from the Dumfries Aviation Museum. The aim is to get it looking its best for the official unveiling on Dowding Sunday in September.
Although Dr Macleod says he will miss having the Spitfire in his garden, he is thrilled that the project is now coming together.
He added: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve reached this point and that I will see my Spitfire at Dowding House. Of course I am going to miss it, it’s been in my garden for so many years, how could I not? But I can say from personal experience that it is just as beautiful to look at as it is to fly.”
Meanwhile, Mark Shields, from the RAF Association, said: “The Spitfire is a true British icon, and we are delighted to be able to provide a home for this very special aircraft at Dowding House.
“The Spitfire will be part of a larger memorial that we hope will act as a fitting tribute to Lord Dowding and his achievements.”
