A retired British Airways aircraft engineer at Heathrow has built two 5ft model planes entirely out of matchsticks.

Norman Dawson, 68, from Reading, who spent 42 years working for the airline, has crafted a small scale replica of a Boeing 747 and Concorde, from 10,000 matchsticks.

The plane enthusiast spent almost two-and-a-half years creating the striking masterpieces combining his free time and passion for engineering.

Mr Dawson of Fordham Way, said: “One day the idea just struck me, I could combine my free time with my passion for engineering and I could make aircraft models from matchsticks.

"I am familiar with the Boeing aircraft from my time working in the British Airways Engineering bay and thought I would give myself the challenge!

"All together it has taken me nearly two and a half years to complete!”

The plans for the model aircrafts were rolled out on sheets of wallpaper using measurements from the actual aircraft manuals.

Charged by his love for aircrafts, he spent a number of weeks working almost six hours a day, to build the 747 jumbo jet to a 1:50 scale replica and the droop-nose Concorde to a 1:40 scale.

He said the undercarriage alone took him several weeks.

Mr Dawson, whose father also worked for the airline, added: “I have always loved model making since I saw a matchstick model of the Tower of London on display many years ago, the detail was incredible.

"But it was only when I retired that I had a thought and it just struck me: ‘why don’t I build a model of a plane’.

Currently the Concorde is on display in his living room window, and the B747 is tucked away in his spare room, while the airline help him to find a more permanent home for his creations where they can be enjoyed by all.

Unable to resist, he has already started working on his next creation a Boeing 777 aircraft and thinking ahead, added, “I have thought about making British Airways’ biggest toy the A380, however I would need to purchase a few more match sticks!”

His innovative skills have moved plane fans globally, and one student in America has been in touch for advice on creating models out of matchsticks for his university project.

Do you know where the matchstick model aircraft can be displayed? Call Salina Patel at the Hounslow Chronicle on 020 3280 3211.