A PICTURE of an iconic jet plane being removed from its home of many decades has sparked memories for members of our We Grew Up in Hereford group on Facebook.

The Supermarine Swift F Mk 4 sat on plinths outside former army surplus shop, Sheppards Stores, at Upper Hill, near Leominster, for more than 40 years before it was privately bought in 2012.

In March that year, Jet Art Aviation was commissioned to dismantle and move the single-seat jet, which was built in the 1950s, before restoring it at its workshop.

Chris Wilson, of the Yorkshire-based company, said: “Dismantling and moving it was in itself very challenging engineering-wise as it had been outside for half a century and was very corroded.

“It has been lovingly restored and has now gone to a fantastic new home and will be on public display in a hanger on long-term loan to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust.”

The jet had delighted visitors since Percy Sheppard purchased it 1968. It was in the same spot, overlooking the Herefordshire landscape, for decades after that.

It was branded with “Sheppards Surplus” in the 1980s and is believed to be the only complete F Mk 4 WK275 in existence.

ALSO READ:

“Loved going there, only because it had my surname on the jet,” said Carl Anthony Sheppard.

And Sarah Bird said: “Used to love going to Sheppards just to see the aeroplanes. Those were the days.”

The Swift was never used for combat and after a spate of accidents was only used as an interceptor for a few years, but once held the world absolute speed record at 735mph.