A 16-year-old student who designed a trophy that will be presented to some of the world’s leading engineers has been given a behind-the-scenes tour of the advanced manufacturing site where the trophy will be made.

Samuel Bentley, of Prestatyn, visited the New Product and Process Development Centre (NPPDC) at BAE Systems’ (www.baesystems.com) Samlesbury site in Lancashire, where the company is pioneering world-leading technology designed to revolutionise the manufacture of military aircraft.

During his tour, Sam was shown the advanced 3-D printing technology that will produce his trophy design. He was also given a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to ‘fly’ a Typhoon jet (under the guidance of a test pilot) in a simulator used to develop the combat aircraft, and he visited the factory where the aircraft are assembled.

The visit concluded with a tour of BAE Systems’ Academy for Skills and Knowledge — a £15.6 million facility for training the company’s next generation of engineers and business leaders.

John Dunstan, head of the NPPDC, said: “Sam’s complex design challenged our engineers who use additive manufacturing and virtual-reality technology to develop the design and manufacture of military aircraft.

"The 3-D printing technologies we have used to create Sam’s trophy design are revolutionising the way we work. Producing the trophy has definitely challenged our team’s best use of the processes.”

Sam won this year’s ‘Create the Trophy’ contest, which invited aspiring designers aged 14-24 from around the world to design a trophy using a brand new smartphone and tablet app that captures the spirit of modern engineering.

His trophy will be awarded to the winners of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.