Artist builds plane for Elvis’s return to Prestwick

Feb 26 2010 by Lorraine Howard, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE MOMENT Elvis touched down in Ayrshire is set to be recreated – live on stage.

Tribute artist Jesse Garron will step out of a replica of a military DC-7 plane.

The magic moment will happen at the start of Jesse’s Prestwick Five-O show.

It’s in Prestwick Academy theatre on Wednesday, March 3, at 7.30pm.

Jesse will step of a brilliant 20ft replica, made by artist Jim Collins in his backyard in Irvine.

And the DC-7 is ready for a return to Prestwick.

It was on March 3, 1960, that Elvis landed on a refuelling stop on his way home from military service in Germany to the USA.

Jim, 62, built his replica with help from 85-year-old father-in-law Bert – and the Pentagon.

Jim wasn’t phased when Jesse, from Dundonald, turned up at his door with the unusual request.

He was determined to get the colours just right, so he wrote to the US Air Force.

“I knew there was red, but it had to be the right shade, so I wrote to the Americans,” he said.

“They contacted me to say they would have to speak to the Pentagon, and I gave up hope.

“But a couple of weeks later I got an email from the Pentagon and the problem was solved.

“It was great they were getting behind it.”

Jim also had some expert help from Bert, as the pair once worked together in Glasgow shipyards.

Together, they spent weeks cutting inch slats in heavy duty cardboard to enable it to bend and form the body of the plane.

Then, Bert got to work creating a frame from MDF that will be taken piece by piece to the venue.

But the cold snap has delayed the work. “The weather has been a nightmare,” said Jim.

“But we had to get on with it, as there was a lot to be done.

“It took time to research the plane as I want it just right on the night.

“If anyone can pull off Elvis coming out of the plane, Jesse can.”

As for transporting the 20 ft plane, Jim’s not worried.

“It should come down like a jigsaw, and no piece is longer than six feet so it should be alright on the night.

“There’s just a few finishing touches to be made.”

Singer Jesse, who donned one of his Elvis costumes to see the plane for the first time, was astounded at Jim’s effort.

“It is fantastic, I can’t believe how great it looks,” said Jesse.

“I have known Jim for years – he made a lot of my stage backdrops and my giant juke box. He’s a legend.

“This plane is the icing on the cake.

“Elvis landing in Prestwick is such a big part of Scottish fans’ lives that we want to give them one hell of a show.

“And with this plane, I’m sure they will be talking about it for another 50 years to come.”

Tickets priced £10 are available by by emailing jamie@jessegarron.co.uk or call 01563 850100.