WONZ 281 – Wings Over Britain: Sandy’s Spitfire

Guest: Tony Hoskins Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 30th of June 2023 Published: 20th of August 2023 Duration: 1 hour 59 minutes, 38 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with Tony Hoskins who is leading the team who are restoring Supermarine Spitfire PR.IV AA810, known as Sandy’s Spitfire. This Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) Spitfire was flown by Flight Lieutenant Alastair “Sandy” Gunn when it was shot down over Norway, and crashed. Sandy was taken prisoner by the Germans, and he eventually took part in the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III at Sagan, was captured, and was murdered as one of the 50 airmen executed after the escape. The Spitfire wreck was discovered on a mountainside and recovered by Tony’s team, and it is currently being restored to fly again. Tony discusses the history of the aircraft and its pilot, Sandy, and talks in detail about the restoration and the research he and his team have done so far. The team is also working with young people, including apprentices and students, to either get involved with the rebuild and the research, or simply teaching them about the work this aircraft did, and about WWII. Quick Links: • Spitfire AA810’s Website • Spitfire AA810 – Restoring Sandy’s Spitfire Facebook Page • National PRU Monument An actual image of AA810 in service. (Colourised) Sandy Gunn. (Colourised) Tony Hoskins. The wreckage laid out. AA810 in the big jig. Sandy Gunn. (Colourised)