The end is finally in sight for a village museum after an eight-year battle with the USA over two unwanted military planes.

Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, based at Headcorn Aerodrome, has been trying unsuccessfully to shift the aircraft since 2007.

The wreckages are owned by the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, and were leased to the former Malling Aircraft Archaeologists and Robertsbridge Aviation Society in the 1970s.

The Vietnam War-era F-100 Super Sabre and 1950s French Mystere were moved to the Shenley Road site in 1979 and 1981 respectively.

After the two lease holders folded, the planes were signed over to the museum without its knowledge.

Trustee Trevor Matthews said: “After the Super Sabre was hit by a plane in 2007 [in a failed take-off] the loan spell for both planes was ended and the ownership went back to the United States Air Force.

“Ever since we have been trying to get rid of them.

“The USAF has decided the Sabre is not a radiation threat but has not yet carried out the sufficient explosive checks and the plane is therefore unsafe so we cannot go near it.”

Aviation enthusiast Freddie Clements, 65, of Singleton near Ashford, said: “It’s a real shame that they are left there like that.

“They could be a great attraction if they were done up, but the museum staff can’t do anything about it.”

The saga has rumbled on since the loan period ended, with the facility, which has been open for 45 years, trying repeatedly to get in touch with representatives from the USAF and the museum in Ohio, but now after eight years there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.

Mr Matthews said: “We have finally been able to make contact with the director general of the Ohio museum and progress is being made. The end is in sight and hopefully they will be gone by the end of the year.”

The National Museum of the United States Air Force did not wish to comment.