AN American woman made a 5,000-mile journey to see the remains of her father’s aircraft, which crashed at Frinton during the Second World War.

Margaret Gokey is an occupational therapist. One of her recent clients was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.

During conversation, the Vietnam veteran learned that Margaret’s father, John Gokey, flew P51 Mustang fighters in England during the war. He set about searching records for information.

The search led to the East Essex Aviation Museum, in Point Clear, which recovered the remains of an American Mustang from a garden in Third Avenue, Frinton, 11 years ago.

The householder was unaware of its existence and relieved to have the 2m long, American built Rolls Royce Merlin engine and propeller removed from beneath an outhouse.

In December 1944, Lieutenant John Gokey was flying his P51 Mustang fighter from Cambridgeshire to escort bombers bound for Germany. Over the sea, his aircraft developed engine trouble and he turned for home.

He just made it to the Essex coast before the engine gave out and he took to his parachute, landing safely in Pole Barn Lane, Frinton.

Last week, the museum arranged transport for Margaret, to travel from Heathrow, first to Frinton and then on to the East Essex Aviation Museum at the Point Clear Martello Tower to see the remains of the aircraft.

The museum is open during the summer from 10am to 4pm on Sundays and Wednesdays and on Monday evenings.