Expensive Plane Crashes On Proving Flight

This is the kind of story that breaks our hearts... so we can only imagine how Simon Steggall feels.

British tabloid The Sun reports Steggall spent all his spare time over two years building a 16-foot flying replica of a Cold War-era Vickers Valiant bomber (real thing shown above). By the time the wooden model was complete, the project cost him approximately £15,000 ($29,000 US)... and his marriage (Steggall's second, according to the newspaper.)

Steggall flew the plane successfully three times. Next up was a proving flight before a safety inspector, who needed to sign off on the plane before Steggall could fly it during performances at air shows.

The plane took off from an airfield near Ipswich, Suffolk... but problems began when one of the engines lost power. Steggall tried to make an emergency landing, but the model impacted trees and exploded.

"I’m devastated and can’t believe it’s gone," he said. "It looked like a real plane crash. I used my fire extinguisher to try and douse the flames but then we smelt fuel and I realized the kerosene in the tanks was about to blow."

"Both of us ran for cover and it exploded, showering hot fuel everywhere," he added. "It was the only model Valiant in the world and cost me an absolute fortune to build. I had it insured for more than £15,000."

Steggall says despite the loss, he's trying to put the whole experience in a positive light.

"It feels like I’ve lost a member of the family. But I’m not going to let this setback get to me. Luckily my new girlfriend loves my hobby."

FMI: Learn More About The Real Vickers Valiant