THE 20-year restoration of one of the icons at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation is nearly complete, writes Hannah McDowell.

The Miles M.25 Martinet TT.1 was assigned to 251 Squadron in 1945 at the tail end of the Second World War. It did survive the war, but was badly damaged following a crash in Iceland in 1951.

In 1996, members from the Berkshire museum at Woodley travelled to Iceland to collect the remains of the aircraft and which has been a labour of love ever since.

Ian Simmons, 82, one of the main restorers, said: “When it arrived, all that was left was the cockpit and even that was badly damaged. My retirement has been kept busy.”

A restoration can take anywhere between three and 20 years. But with up to 12 volunteers working on the Martinet at a time, the piece has been safely restored for display purposes.

The aircraft cannot be restored to fly as an engine for the Miles is inaccessible. Nevertheless, with only 1700 built and this being one of the only restored survivors, it is unmissable.

Unknown to many, the Museum of Berkshire Aviation is considered as one of Reading’s hidden gem.

Berkshire’s dynamic contribution to aviation history is graphically re-captured at the museum. Run as a charitable trust, the museum is at the historic site of Woodley Airfield, once a thriving aircraft industry.

Miles and Handley Page aircraft built at Woodley are being re-constructed and exhibited along with fascinating pictorial records and priceless archives.

The museum attracts many avid aviation fans from all over the world.

A visitor’s log shows the variety from High Wycombe to South Africa, Japan and Serbia. And former Top Gear presenter, and keen motor admirer, Jeremy Clarkson, has even made an appearance in Berkshire.

However, being a charity, the museum relies solely on volunteers with many being members for years. It is also entirely dependent on donations.

Many of the aircraft on display are donations from previous owners or international museums.

In the case of the Martinet, it now resides in Reading thanks to the Icelandic Aviation Historical Society.

The Museum of Berkshire Aviation at Mohawk Way is open on Wednesday, Saturday. and Sunday between 10.30am and 5pm.