The latest donation to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre has prompted speculation about its connection with a Sunderland that landed in Pembrokeshire 80 years ago.

A fuel tank from a Sunderland flying boat – used on a Pembrokeshire farm for decades after ‘demob’ – has been donated to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, which celebrates the maritime, aviation and military heritage of the town, as well as the social and community heritage of Pembroke Dock..

Identified as one of three main fuel tanks in each wing of the giant Sunderland, it was brought to the Centre by Barry Davies, of West Hill, The Ridgeway, Manorbier.

Said Barry: “The tank was put to very good use storing fuel at a neighbouring farm, Summerhill, by Mr David Packer. Recently the farm has changed hands and the tank was given to me.

“I am delighted that the Heritage Centre team has identified it as from a Sunderland so it has returned to base.”

The Centre already has a similar tank and there is speculation that both came from a Sunderland which successfully landed on Angle Airfield in May 1943, 80 years ago. The ‘new’ tank still retains much of its rubberised self-sealing covering – and a non-standard tap from its days of the farm.

Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre at the Royal Dockyard Chapel, Meyrick Owen Way, Pembroke Dock SA72 6WS is open Mondays to Fridays, 10 am to 4 pm, but not Saturdays or Sundays at present.