Yesterday, I met with Dave, who is involved in a particularly unique project connected to #Rushcliffe. This project is the restoration of Spitfire AA810!
Spitfire AA810 flew deep into enemy territory, mostly unarmed and devoid of protection of any sort, to photographed the movements of enemy supplies, men, ships and planes to gain the vital intelligence. On the 5 March 1942, Alastair Gunn flew Spitfire PR.IV AA810 to monitor the Tirpitz however, unbeknown to Gunn, two Messerschmitt ME109s were dispatched to shoot him down.
After being captured Gunn was sent to Stalag Luft III and became involved in the digging of the tunnel ‘Harry’ In what was to become immortalised as ‘The Great Escape’. Gunn would later be captured by the Gestapo and on the 6th April 1944 he was executed.
The project will not only see the restoration to flight of the Spitfire but also provide an education Program supporting the aerospace industry build its talent pool within schools as well as proposed National Monument to the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit.