A group of youngsters got behind the controls of Moray’s most famous aircraft while being given a sneak preview of a new visitor attraction yesterday.
The Morayvia group will open its technology and science centre at Kinloss this weekend, with a Sea King helicopter as the venue’s star attraction.
But before unveiling the centre to the public, organisers arranged for 240 Kinloss Primary School pupils to visit for a special trial session.
Morayvia chief executive Stan Barber said: “We thought it would be well-received, but there was no better way to judge that than by having the centre full of appreciative children.
“Our aim is to encourage interest in science, technology and engineering at a young age – and I think a lot of kids were inspired by their visit.”
The excited pupils attended the site in groups of 60, and found out what life was like for a rescue worker on board a Sea King as they donned helmets and strapped themselves into the cockpit of the legendary machine.
They also visited the centre’s other exhibits, including a Nimrod aircraft salvaged from RAF Kinloss.
Morayvia secured a retired Search and Rescue Sea King Mk 3 helicopter this June from the Ministry of Defence, after a massive public campaign.
Its collection is currently housed at the site of the former Abbeylands Primary School, but volunteers aspire to create a purpose-built centre in the future.
Mr Barber added: “That is what we’re working towards, and it’s something I think Moray deserves.”
The centre will be open from Saturday to Tuesday, from noon to 4pm, then again from next Saturday to next Tuesday at those same times.
From Saturday, October 24, the base will open only at weekends.