Spring Moving Date Set for Moffat’s Spitfire Tribute
The iconic Spitfire replica will be relocated to Dowding House this spring, honoring Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding and his legacy.
Moffat, Scotland, Spitfire, Hugh Dowding, RAF Association
Moffat: The Spitfire replica is finally getting a new home at Dowding House this spring, and its owner couldn’t be happier. Dr. Hamish Macleod has dreamed of this moment for years.
The life-size replica of the PT 462 Spitfire has been sitting in his garden, but now it’s set to be moved as a tribute to Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, a local hero.
Dowding played a key role during the Battle of Britain, and the move is a way to honor his contributions. Dr. Macleod officially left the Spitfire to the people of Moffat back in 2016.
With the help of Alistair Kerr, the Moffat Spitfire Project was launched to make this dream a reality. They finally got the green light from Dumfries and Galloway Council just recently.
Initially, there were grand plans for the display, but some locals were concerned about it becoming a tourist hotspot. So, the design was toned down to focus more on honoring Dowding.
Dr. Macleod shared that he’s excited to see the Spitfire at Dowding House, even though he’ll miss having it in his garden. He believes it’s just as stunning to look at as it is to fly.
Mark Shields from the RAF Association expressed his delight, saying the Spitfire is a true British icon and will be part of a larger memorial to honor Dowding’s legacy.