Thieves in Telford target prize model aircraft

Raiders made off with a model Vulcan bomber and a model Japanese fighter plane after breaking into the outhouse in Peter Whitehead's garden in Madeley, Telford.

After an appeal on Facebook someone came forward within minutes from Sutton Hill to tell him one of the planes was in their back garden and it has since been recovered – but the other one remains at large, along with a model jet turbine.

The haul is said to be worth around £5,000.

Mr Whitehead, who is one of the organisers of the annual International Model Airshow at Weston Park, near Shifnal, is offering a £100 cash reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the safe return of the plane and turbine.

The 69-year-old retired company director discovered the theft when he checked his shed at his home in Station Road on Wednesday morning.

"I put an appeal out on Facebook and almost straight away someone got in touch to say they had one of the planes in their back garden, bizarrely," he said.

"It looks like they have broken it slightly by removing the electrics from it but it seems to be salvageable, which is pleasing.

"Obviously the other plane and the turbine, which is worth a couple of thousand in itself, is still out there somewhere, and I would very much like to get them back."

Mr Whitehead said the planes had not been flown yet and were still in the production process.

Terri-Anne Powell, West Mercia Police spokeswoman, said: "We were called at 8.43am on Wednesday to reports of theft from a shed between 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

"A number of items were taken including a model jet turbine with 'kangaroo' written on it, a model Vulcan and a model Japanese fighter plane."

The items are very distinctive and anybody with any information should call police on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting incident reference number 90 of July 29. Alternatively information can be provided on the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.