The AA810 Spitfire Restoration team are delighted to announce that Sir Michael Arthur KCMG, President Boeing Europe and Managing Director of Boeing UK and Ireland, has joined the Project as Honorary President. With three decades of earlier experience in Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service, including appointments as HM Ambassador to Germany and, prior to that, the UK’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Sir Michael has embraced the story of the men who flew AA810. Welcoming Sir Michael to the team, Spitfire AA810 Restoration Ltd Director, Dr Michael Smith FRAeS, said:
Sir Michael agreeing to join the team is a highly significant milestone in the project to bring AA810 back to life and, therefore, both commemorate the largely unsung but extremely important and courageous activities of the WWII Photographic Reconnaissance Unit and, at the same time, encourage a hands-on interest in aviation by young people today and in the future via the integral Alastair Gunn Youth Engagement Scheme. Sir Michael will lift the profile and industry reach of the project to the highest levels.
Boeing, the largest aerospace company in the world, has worked in partnership with the British aviation industry for 80 years, and continues to grow this relationship throughout the 21st century. During WWII Boeing provided training aircraft for RAF pilots, some of whom would go on to fly the Spitfire. And like the Spitfire in its time, Boeing’s aircraft were then, and are today, at the very forefront of aviation technology. Boeing’s commitment to this continued partnership is exemplified by the Company opening, just a few weeks ago, their latest UK facility, Boeing Sheffield. The AA810 team are very proud indeed to have Sir Michael on Board.