MORE remarkable photographic evidence of Pembroke Dock’s secret role in creating an iconic spacecraft in the second of the epic Star Wars series of films has come to light, following an appeal made by the town’s Heritage Centre.

In what must have been a level of secrecy mirroring Cold War espionage, construction of the well-loved spaceship the Millennium Falcon – destined to fly into film immortality in the Star Wars epic The Empire Strikes Back – took place during the winter of 1978-79 in one of the Dockyard’s flying boat hangers.

In what has previously been described as “one of Pembroke Dock’s best kept secrets” small boys and science fiction fans from outside the area failed to realise that the Hollywood icon was being built locally.

Photos taken in 1979 as the Millennium Falcon was nearing completion in a giant aircraft hangar have been added to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre’s archive, thanks to John Clark of Pembroke who 36 years ago was foreman for the firm that built the spaceship.

He took the colour photos on his pocket sized 110 camera.

The Millennium Falcon was built in great secrecy before being taken to Pinewood Studios for fitting out and ultimately into film immortality in the Star Wars epic The Empire Strikes Back, piloted by much-loved character Han Solo.

John was one of three of the Millennium Falcon construction crew interviewed for a BBC Wales Today feature which was broadcast last week.

He was joined by Roy Sillence and Geoff Waterman, both of Pembroke Dock.

Thanks to the Port of Pembroke they and BBC reporter Carwyn Jones were able to visit the former Sunderland flying boat hangar where the spaceship was constructed.

Some of the work team feature in the newly archived photographs. Names John Clark remembers include Billy Butland, Ray Harries, Micky Marchant and Mike Carolan.