A pensioner spent five years building a replica model of a Spitfire fighter plane before displaying it in his village garden in Cubbington.

Ray Burden, 75, painstakingly built the stunning 1/4 scale model of the iconic British war plane from scratch to honour the country's veterans. 

The talented craftsman then placed it on display in the front garden of his home in Cubbington, Warks., to celebrate VE Day last week (8 May).

Dedicated Ray spent "countless hours" making the plane from plywood using original aircraft plans, which were scaled down for him by his brother-in-law.

Its cockpit, including a miniature pilot, has also been recreated in meticulous detail by Ray who said he had always wanted to make a Spitfire tribute.

Dedicated Ray spent

Visitors have since flocked to see his creation, including an RAF veteran who had been a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and a representative from the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.

Ray, who lives with his wife Irene, said: "It's had its challenges. A lot of time has gone into it —working on and off in between other projects.

"But it's been worth every hour.

"I've always had an interest in the war. My father-in-law was stationed in Burma with the Warwickshire Regiment during the conflict.

"I had to research a lot of all the parts. I used as much original information as I could."

Ray said he always wanted to make a Spitfire tribute (images via Ray Burden / SWNS)

He added: "It doesn't look so much from the outside, but there's a lot of work underneath the skin of it.

"I've always dreamt of doing something on a bigger scale for our troops and our forces, to acknowledge their work and effort."

Ray now hopes the plane will be used at RAF events or by the local parish council in future.

But as for his next project, he added: "I've been told that I can't have any more projects. 

"I spend my life in my workshop."