This huge project would never have been possible without the help and support of many, many individuals. Additionally, a multitude of companies have stepped forward with offers of help and sponsorship together with others who support us online and on social media. Below are some of the organisations we would like to thank, without whose help, this project would never succeed.
Financial & Material Supporters:
The Donald & Patricia Shepherd – Patricia, Patrick & Chris Shepherd; Ian & Jane Robertson
Charitable Trust (York UK)
Goltens Transports (Dubai) – Tom Boyle, MD & VP Goltens UAE
NYCO (France) – Guillaume Forestier, Carole Bersillon & Anna Patin
http://www.nyco.fr/2017/03/mirage-iva/
Techman Head (France) – Philippe Lethore, VP Sales & Mktg
Trivest Developments (Canada) – Louise Cornblum
French Embassy (London)
HE Bernard Emié – French Ambassador to the UK (2010-14)
HE Sylvie Bermann – French Ambassador to the UK
R- Admiral Henri Schricke – Defence Attaché (2010-15)
R-Admiral Patrick Chevallerau – Defence Attaché
Col. Nicholas Chambaz – Air Attaché (2010-14); Chef de bureau NATO
Col. Patrice Morand – Air Attaché
Col. Dominique Calligaris – French Air Force Liaison, RAF Air Cmnd HQ, (2011-13)
Col. Bruno Cunat – French Air Force Liaison, RAF Air Cmnd HQ
Commandant Patrice Hennequin – Commandant du GERSA 11.601(repair, storage, mnce Group)
Colonel Gallazzini Michel – Commandant Base Aerienne 123, Orléans Bricy
Capitaine Célestine Marchal – Chef de cabinet de la Base Aérienne 123
Members of Parliament (UK)
Rt Hon David Davies MP
Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP
Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP
Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP
Rt Hon Dame Rosie Winterton MP
Robert Goodwill MP
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP
Angela Smith MP
Sir Gerald Howarth MP
Rt Hon Sir Greg Knight MP
Lord Kirhope of Harrogate
Philip Davies MP
Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
Rt Hon John Healey MP
Greg Mulholland MP
Rt Hon Lord Blunkett of Brightside & Hillsborough
Député de Seine & Marne – Monsieur Jean-Claude MIGNON
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London) – Lewis Clark; Jamie Mason; Chris Freestone;
Groupes Lourds (346 & 346 Sqds Assoc) – Paul Bogaert (President); Philippe Ducastelle: (http://halifax346et347.canalblog.com/)
Brittany Ferries – Christopher Jones
Portsmouth International Port – Anthony J Andrews
Yorkshire Air Museum Mirage Group (France & Dubai)
Albert Grenier
David Dron
Lionel Schmidt,
Philippe Bellamy,
Laurent Marques Da Silva,
Jean Luc Carreras (Sarrion/Albatrans),
Gilles Coustellie (CAEA Merignac)
Yorkshire Air Museum Mirage Group (UK)
Ian Reed – Museum Director & Trustee
Sandrine Bauchet – Bureau français
Barbara George – Museum Manager
Neill Watson – Media Manager
Gary Hancock – Heritage Manager
Ian Richardson – Communications Mgr
The Museum/Memorial is indebted to the help and support given by so many people at all levels, in this project which has shown the extraordinary ties of friendship between Britain and France.
I would like to add our special thanks to Albert Grenier, former French Air Force aero engine specialist, now Technical Program Manager for General Electric supporting the Emirates Boeing 777 fleet (the world’s largest), from his base in Dubai. Albert has never given up on our Mirage Project. Since the beginning he has never stopped cajoling and pushing French politicians and people of influence from the French side as well as sourcing valuable funding and technical help.
In addition, our grateful thanks go to David Dron, a former French Air Force Mirage engineer who has spent months and months organising the packing, re-assembly equipment, liaison and movement arrangements at Chateaudun Air Base. He then travels over to Elvington to supervise the specialist re-assembly with the Museum’s Aircraft Engineering staff.
We would also like to thank the diplomatic staff of the French Embassy in UK (past & present), the French Air Force Liason staff and the French Air Force staff in Paris, Chateaudun and Bordeaux Merignac. You have all shown a remarkable enthusiasm towards this project and such a trust and friendly disposition towards us at Elvington. Your recognition of the importance of this historic “soft power” project for our two countries which touches the lives of many tens of thousands of people is a credit to your intelligent professionalism. Your trust and friendship towards us has been an inspiration and a true lesson of how international diplomacy should be undertaken.
Ian Reed, March 2017
