Family puts fighter plane up for grabs

Up, up and away! People driving along a busy north Shropshire road could be forgiven for doing a double take.

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That's because a Czech fighter plane appears to have landed in a field beside the A41 at Rosehill, near Market Drayton.

But the aircraft has not got lost or veered off course - it has been bought by the village's well known Williams family, who are antique and general dealers.

The family snapped up their latest eye-catching purchase - an L29 Delfin ground fighter trainer - at auction in Childs Ercall on Monday.

Kev Williams, 50, said he had to leave the auction because he had been so tempted to buy the plane.

But when he returned to pick up wife Di, 48, and son Richy, 22, he was greeted by his son gleefully telling him he needed help to get his new "toy" home.

"I had a look at it, thought how nice it would be to purchase it because it's something a bit different and it would be a challenge to sell," said Mr Williams senior.

"But I thought maybe it was too much of a challenge. I thought I had better not mention it to my son because in the genes he's pretty much the same as me. As I went to pick my wife up I met my son coming down the road saying 'Dad, help - I've bought an aeroplane'.

Mum and big sister Sarah think dad and Richy are absolutely bonkers, but say they know the pair are up for a challenge.

Now people have a chance to snap up the little slice of history as the family is hoping to sell the aeroplane on.

Mr Williams said the dual control aircraft was built in Czechoslovakia in 1968 and last flew in 1998. It was used by the Russians and Czechs to train fighter pilots. It comes with a full service history - in Czech.

"Transport wouldn't be a problem as we have a company that could move it," said Mr Williams. "We are quite happy to advise on costs. If anybody is interested and fancies a go, they can contact me on (01630) 638320.

"It's just something different to put Rosehill on the map. If anybody is brave enough, we'll take them for a spin."