Following their December announcement of a partnership with Kennet Aviation, The Spitfire AA810 Project has reportedly contracted Airframe Assemblies Ltd to assist with the restoration of Spitfire PR.IV AA810.
As previously reported, AA810 was flown by Alastair “Sandy” Gunn of 1 PRU RAF and departed RAF Wick in Scotland for a photo reconnaissance mission to Trondheim, Norway on March 5, 1942. During the flight, Gunn was forced to bail out after being shot down by two Messerschmitts of Jagdgruppe Losigkeit near Surnadal. Gunn became a POW and took part in The Great Escape in 1944, but sadly was recaptured and executed.
The remains of the Spitfire were recovered in July, with “some 70% of the aircraft” remaining intact. It will now receive a full restoration to airworthy status and will reportedly incorporate a significant amount of original material. Plans also call for a few unsuitable elements of the aircraft to be used in various memorials.
According to the organization, Airframe Assemblies will reportedly provide CAA Part 21 services to the project while Kennet Aviation will provide Part 23 and 25 services. Other additional sub-contractors, which will be announced shortly, are also said to be assisting with the project to ensure that the aircraft takes to the skies in 2023.
With this latest announcement, the remains of AA810 will shortly move from its storage location in the midlands to the Isle of Wight for work to begin. Check out the complete announcement below.
The Spitfire AA810 project is delighted to announce that it has contracted Airframe Assemblies Ltd to assist with the…
Posted by Spitfire AA810 – Restoring Sandy's Spitfire on Sunday, February 17, 2019
(via Spitfire AA810 – Restoring Sandy’s Spitfire Top Photo: Royal Air Force Official Photographer [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons)
