Flying start for pupils as class touches down (VIDEO)
Crowds of children gathered outside Kingsland Primary, in Bucknall, yesterday to watch the 60-foot plane arrive by lorry and be craned into position.
Transporting it from Hinstock airfield, near Market Drayton, and along motorways and main roads, had been a breeze. But the final leg from the school gates to the playing field required nerves of steel.
At one point, the short S-360 aircraft pranged a lamppost and it then came within a whisker of hitting the front of the school.
But the expert haulage crew finally 'landed' the plane just yards from the playground, to cheers from ecstatic youngsters, relieved staff, and bemused members of the public.
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Originally a 40-seater commercial aircraft, it will now be kitted out with a whole new interior to begin its second life as an outdoor classroom.
Kingsland pupil Jordan Wheeler, aged 11, said: "It's ace. The plane is much bigger than I thought it would be. It's going to be great having lessons in it. It could have a big floor and twizzling chairs."
The King's Wings project was born after school staff asked pupils what they would like to have for an outdoor learning space. One youngster suggested a plane and the idea took off.
Working with project manager Paul Hawkins, from Creative Partnerships, children located a decommissioned plane owned by Retro Aviation, a vintage aircraft company based at Hinstock.
It has cost the school up to £20,000 to buy the plane, although Kingsland has received sponsorship. The school has also got some big names to donate their time to work with youngsters.
They include top designer Howard Guy, who has created customised interiors for Lear jets owned by David and Victoria Beckham and Lewis Hamilton.
Deputy head Sara Goddard said: "He is helping pupils come up with the interior. They are going to have fold-out tables and chairs and a Google Earth screen."
Each class is in charge of a different aspect of the project, from designing a website to briefing residents on their plans.
It will take at least a term to finish converting the aircraft. It will then be used as an exciting backdrop for geography, science, maths and literacy topics, and will also have a recording studio in the cockpit.
Liam Peters, aged 11, said: "I'm looking forward to eating an ice cream on the plane."
The Google Earth screen will be used by children to simulate journeys around the world. They will stand on the panel and look down on locations like Mount Everest and the Grand Canyon.
Mr Hawkins said: "The wings, undercarriage and tail fin are being transported on another lorry.
"The plane came along the M54, M6 and the A500. We had quite a few people with mouths agape, standing at the side of the road and coming out of their homes to have a look."
Richard Parr, managing director of Retro Aviation, said it is the first time his company has supplied a plane to a school. He said: "I had it in mind for a home office, but it's got very good room space. It's perfect for a school."
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