CONSTRUCTION is well underway on a giant replica of a Second World War fighter plane.

The model of the Hawker Typhoon aircraft is being created as part of this year’s Chalke Valley History Festival and hopes to be the largest ever built.

The aircraft, which was known as Tiffy, will be perched on the crest of the hill in Broad Chalke and will be three times the size of the original.

It is being built to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of France next month.

Philip Ewen, of the Chalke Valley History Festival, said: “It is one of the unsung heroes of the war. People don’t know enough about it. People don’t know enough about why it was important so part of the role for the D-Day 75 commemoration is to talk about that as a key aspect.”

During the festival a number of talks will be held about the Hawker Typhoon.

With a wingspan of 25 metres, and a length of 18 metres, the installation will be similar in size to a 100-seater passenger jet.

The replica is being built in partnership with QinetiQ and the Ministry of Defence Boscombe Down Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics team.

Geoff Clarkson, the group leader for systems engineering at QinetiQ, said: “Everyone knows about the Spitfire, the Hawker Typhoon was built initially as a fighter but it turned out to be a fantastic aircraft for ground operations and it was a key platform during D-Day. It was quite a significant aircraft for the allies.”

Geoff says that the hardest part of the project has been the design stage.

The construction is being overseen by QinetiQ engineers with much of the work being carried out as a special project by the company’s apprentices.

They have been using modern-day techniques to create the replica, which will be made up of about 1,000 parts, and designing it using computer aided design technology.

Seventeen apprentices have been working on the project. Apprentice Harry Gribble said it has been “really inspiring” to work on the project, adding: “It is amazing to be involved in something like like this.”

Schools in the area have also been involved by helping with the project.

The Chalke Valley History Festival runs from June 24 to 30. For more information go to cvhf.org.uk