WHEN MECHANIC FRANK Williams was approached by 81-year-old Louise Fearon to build an aeroplane, he jumped at the opportunity. His prime motivation was that it was his chance to test a design he has for his dream house.

"The plane was designed in my head. It is my dream to build a plane house out of my head," he said.

The idea of constructing the plane, Fearon said, came up after she had a dream about 15 years ago.

"I went to bed one night singing When Mi Pilot Comes I'll Take An Aeroplane Ride which is an old Christian hymn. While dreaming the idea of making a plane just came to me. I had the idea in my head but I wasn't able to get it made until now," said Lousie Fearon.

Costly project

She said she approached Williams earlier this year with the idea to make the plane. The plane is made from wood and metal and can carry three persons at a time. It has a steering wheel inside and seats but cannot fly. It is in need of a braking system which Mr Williams said he plans to install at a later date. Mr. Williams was quick to point out that the project's overall cost is about $20,000.

Miss Fearon said a part of the reason for making the plane was due to her involvement in drama in her community of Allman Town.

"I made it for the plays that I write and stage in my community. It was supposed to be ready for the Heroes Day weekend but it wasn't finished in time," she told THE STAR.

For his part, Mr. Williams agreed that it took him a while to make. "It should have taken me three weeks or so. But, it took me six months because I was on and off it because I had a lot of things to do during the time," he said.

Due to the length of time the construction of the plane took, Miss Fearon called it 'Miss Perseverance'.

Since the design of Miss Perseverance, Miss Fearon said it has been used by a church group, which used it for a harvest and hopes to use it for other purposes. It was originally painted white, with blue trimmings at the top and brown at the bottom. However, it was later repainted full white by the church group and decorated with paintings of pumpkins.

The plane, which is kept at Frank's garage, has attracted children right across the community.

"Since they first saw it in THE STAR they come around here almost every day to look at it. Some want to go in it and play around it as well but I don't allow that," he said.

But the desire of the children to have a ride in the craft may soon be realised as Miss Fearon has plans to allow them that privilege.