In pictures: RAF Cosford boat project is a labour of love

Many of the eight-strong team, based in the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre, have been been giving up two days a week of their time for time more than they care to remember to help restore the boat once used by the RAF Marine Branch.

And soon members of the public will be allowed in to see the fruits of their labours.

The task of restoring the Range Safety Launch (RSL), number 1667, to its former glory is even more special for one of the volunteers, Nick Nicholls, who served on it back in the 1960s.

The 70-year-old former plumber from Stafford, who was in the RAF for five years, said: "I only served on the boat for a fortnight, but I loved it. She was a great boat in her day and has seen a lot.

"It was used for so many rescue missions, but I wasn't on it for long – although I wish I had been on it longer. I served on the boat in about 1967.

"But I love working on this project, it's very strange been a part of this, as I have a history with this exact boat."

With four crew members and a top speed of 20 knots, RSL 1667 saw service in the Far East based out of RAF Seletar, Singapore.

While in Singapore, the boat was painted in tropical white livery and operated in support of RAF Shackletons and helicopters based at nearby RAF Changi on search and rescue in target towing, sonar practice and weapon recovery duties.

In the 1960s it was used to tow Sunderlands to mooring buoys and transfer passengers to and from the aircraft.

Allotted back to the UK in 1970, the 43ft boat spent a further 11 years based on the south coast of England before its withdrawal from service in 1981 when it was purchased by a private owner.

While work completed to date includes the restoration of the wheelhouse including the instrument panel and controls, the next steps will see the engine bay having its surface finish restored and the steering gear rebuilt.

Another volunteer, who has worked on the boat since 2001 is Bryant Rudolph, who is a retired RAF police officer.

The 77-year-old, from Shifnal, said he found out about the volunteers programme after reading an article in the Shropshire Star.

"I enjoy it so much," he said. "I only live round the corner in Shifnal, so it gives me something to do. I love watching it all come together, and as I was in the RAF police I feel like I have a close connection to it."

Another volunteer, Neil Butler started restoring the boat after his wife Mandy died last year.

The 57-year-old, who is a retired firefighter from Stafford, said he enjoys his days at the museum as it gives him something to do.

"I found out about the programme following an open day, and I have also worked at Severn Valley Railway helping there as well," he said.

Team leader Mike Garbutt, from Wombourne, said the team are making good progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

He said: "The team are great, we all work very well together and the boat has come on so much from when I started.

"The one thing that has taken a long time is getting all the paint off it, because with a boat you just repaint over it.

"So when we started stripping it there was at least an inch of paint on it. Now we've pretty much completed that we are preparing to paint it an ivory colour.

"The boat was mainly painted tropical colours so it is only right that we return it to that state."

Other volunteers include friends Mark Wakelam, 61, from Market Drayton, Henry Adams, 60, from Stourbridge, and Tom Merrall, 69, from Whitchurch. The three men have been spending a lot of their time working on the boat's rudders, which they have now completed.

Visitors will be able to see the work next month at a series of open days.

They will also be able to view the ongoing restoration of the Vickers Wellington, as well as observe progress on another of the centre's long-term conservation projects, the Handley Page Hampden.

The centre will be open from November 9 until November 14 from 10.15am to 1pm and costs £5 per person. For details log on to www.rafmuseum.org/cosford or call (01902) 376200.