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Operation Spitfire

The Community Foundation is proud to support ‘Operation Spitfire’ – a unique gathering of people dedicated to the preservation, restoration and conservation of the Spitfire currently on display at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke on Trent.  Further information is below, but for the full story please see the dedicated website, here

Project Goals:

  • The goal of Operation Spitfire is to inspire visitors to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery by creating areas within the museum that have a “WOW” factor
  • To challenge people’s traditional “Pits & Pots” assumptions about the history of North Staffordshire by showcasing our outstanding engineering heritage.
  • To make sure that all visitors can learn about, have access to and enjoy their heritage.  The Spitfire is synonymous with Reginald Mitchell who grew up and learned his trade here, in Stoke-on-Trent.
  • To provide enhanced learning opportunities that celebrates Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire’s industrial and social heritage.
  • To ensure that the “Spitfire Gallery” is not just an addition to the museum but an integral part of a vibrant celebration of the region’s history and heritage.
  • To further enhance the international image and profile of Stoke-on-Trent and to attract visitors to the city.

 

Objectives: 

  • To restore RW388 to an acceptable level. Preservation, Conservation, Restoration
  • To help redesign the Spitfire Gallery in line with the museum’s plans for the ground floor redevelopment of the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and ensure the gallery itself has greater prominence
  • To work with the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in order to re-interpret the Spitfire Gallery display so that it remains up to date, interesting, exciting, engaging, educational and is regularly updated and refreshed.
  • To use the Spitfire Gallery to demonstrate the region’s tradition in design and engineering excellence.
  • To ensure total inclusivity by facilitating access for the general public, thereby increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of their heritage.
  • To establish links with schools and the education sector to inspire young people with a passion for design and engineering and to provide opportunities for learning and practicing design.
  • To establish links with local businesses and to seek their involvement