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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Jonathan M. Redgrave

In a career spanning over four decades, Peter J. Redgrave contributed to the production of many of air and space craft ranging from the Spitfire to the F-22. His manufacturing expertise helped bring to life many vehicles in the Smithsonian today.
Born in 1934 in London, England, Peter began work in 1950 on Spitfire compasses as an Indentured Apprentice Engineering for Sperry Gyroscope. After service in the Royal Navy as a Chief Petty Officer where he received his education, Redgrave emigrated to Canada in 1957.
While in Canada, Peter worked in the Prototype Shops of Avro Aircraft. There he had the privilege of fabricating parts for the C100, “Aerocar” and the famed “Arrow” fighter jets.
In 1961 Peter moved to America where he worked for Singer-Kearfott eventually becoming Chief Manufacturing Engineer. During 19 years there, he helped manufacture advanced guidance systems for programs including Polaris, Trident, & Harpoon Missiles, F4, A7, SR-71, Gemini, Apollo Lander, M1 Tank, Space Shuttle. A special project involved the camera stepper motor drives aboard the Lunar Rovers.
In 1980, Redgrave became Director of Manufacturing for Pneumo Corporation and was instrumental in solving critical production issues on the F-16 fly-by-wire hydraulic actuators. He also worked on actuators for F14, F15, F18, DC9, L1011, 747, 737 and 757 aircraft and thrust reversers for the DC8 and 767.
In 1982, Peter moved to Western-Gear (later Lucas) as Director of Manufacturing Services where amongst other projects he helped develop manufacturing techniques for constructing the tail rudder of the X-29. He worked on commercial cargo handling systems used on all major Boeing and Airbus aircraft. He worked on weapons rack systems for F15, F16, F/A18, F22 and B-2 bombers. Peter retired in 1996 from Lucas’ Park City, Utah facility providing advanced support for jet engine gear drives. Throughout his 46 year career, Peter Redgrave was a teacher, innovator and leader in advanced manufacturing practices including pioneering the use of Nd-YAG laser machining for gyro platforms (1975), Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Centers (1984), and DNC networks (1986).