Tag: Sandy Gunn

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Restoration of Spitfire AA810 Begins

The Spitfire AA810 Project has begun restoration of the PR.IV flown by Alastair “Sandy” Gunn of 1 PRU RAF.

As previously reported, the machine 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. The Project has enlisted Airframe Assemblies to provide CAA Part 21 services and Kennet Aviation for Part 23 and 25 services. Continue reading Restoration of Spitfire AA810 Begins

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Additional Partnership Announced as Restoration of Spitfire AA810 Set to Begin

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. Continue reading Additional Partnership Announced as Restoration of Spitfire AA810 Set to Begin

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New Partnership Seeks to Return “Sandy’s Spitfire” AA810 to the Air in 2023

The Spitfire AA810 project has announced a new partnership with Kennet Aviation to provide CAA A8-23/25 oversight for the restoration to flight of a Spitfire PR.IV (example shown above).

As previously reported, Spitfire AA810, flown by Alastair “Sandy” Gunn of 1 PRU RAF, 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 is now receiving 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. Continue reading New Partnership Seeks to Return “Sandy’s Spitfire” AA810 to the Air in 2023

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Recently Recovered Spitfire PR.IV AA810 to be Restored to Airworthy Condition

A Spitfire recovered in July 2018 will be restored to airworthy condition, according to a recent announcement.

On March 5, 1942 Spitfire PR.IV AA810, flown by Alastair “Sandy” Gunn of 1 PRU RAF, departed RAF Wick in Scotland for a photo reconnaissance mission to Trondheim, Norway. During the flight, Gunn was forced to bail out after the Spitfire was 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 is now receiving 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.

The first flight is currently planned for 2023/24 and it is hoped that the machine will attend airshows “far and wide.”

(via Spitfire AA810 – Restoring Sandy’s Spitfire and Spitfire AA810 Additional Information via Aviation Safety Network Photo: RAF via Wikimedia Commons Thanks, Pascal!)