London detailer helps restore historic freedom one aircraft
LONDON, ONTARIO February 24, 2015 ⎯ Scott Perkin, CD SV, owner of Scotty’s Shine Shop in London, just returned from Tucson, Arizona where he and a team of automotive detailers helped restore the exterior of the historic Freedom One aircraft. The 3-day project took place February 9 - 11 at PIMA Air & Space Museum where the legendary plane now resides. The Boeing military C-137, known by civilians as a Boeing 707 jetliner, is famous for returning home 52 American hostages from Iran on January 20, 1981 after 444 days of captivity. It also returned American military personnel home after being freed at the end of the Persian Gulf War.
Led by Jose Fernandez of Superior Shine Auto Detailing in Arcadia CA, the project received support from AutoGeek.com to produce a video of the restoration; and from Meguiars who provided $2,000 in product for the project. AutoGeek.com also gave all project volunteers $100 gift certificates.
“The chance to participate in the restoration of such a legendary aircraft is a privilege and one of the proudest accomplishments of my career,” says Perkin. “I’m thrilled to be one of the detailers chosen to participate in a project of this magnitude.”
“I am humbled by the support this project is getting,” says Fernandez. “I want to thank AutoGeek.com and Meguiars for stepping up with their support, and commend Scott for his skills and participation in restoring this Air Force One transport plane. It has been awesome!”
The exciting project comes on the heels of Scotty’s Shine Shop winning Detail Shop of the Year 2014 by the International Detailing Association (IDA) in January. Based in London, ON and founded by Perkin in 1993, Scotty’s Shine Shop has grown into an internationally recognized leader in auto appearance services and has been featured in numerous publications and trade journals.
“We get so much gratification from our detailing business from our customers,” Perkin says. “This has been a perfect opportunity to use our skills to give something back.”
For more information on the Freedom One Restoration project at PIMA, and about Scotty’s Shine Shop, contact Scott Perkin at (519) 859-7240 or [email protected]