It’s not very likely that RJ Mitchell, the designer of the beautiful and graceful Spitfire, had the slightest inkling that when he observed Mutt Summers make the first test flight off a grass field at Eastleigh England 70 years ago, this March 5th that this aircraft would still be flying in the year 2006. Nor would he believe that over 50 Spitfires would be preserved and still capable of flight 70 years later. And he probably would never considered that this wonderful aircraft would have been considered the savior of the British Empire and admired by so many generations and so many people throughout the world. Thank you R.J. Mitchell!

The spars for the horizontal stabilizer have been completed and work has now started on the assembly jig to complete the fabrication on the stabilizers. We have managed to salvage and restore many parts from the original Spitfire and they have been installed. Often during a restoration more work is required to salvage a part then to fabricate a new item.

Dave McLeod has taken up machining and with the tutelage and mentoring of our engineer Bonn Svensson, Dave has managed to produce some fine work. Dave is working on the tail wheel, removing rust off original parts, machining parts and has recently ordered some ball bearing assemblies. It won’t be long before the tail wheel is completed and mounted.

The start of fabrication of the horizontal stabilizer assembly jig.
The spars are lined up with the start of the assembly jig. Measurments are taken in order to cut the next peice of metal.	Port and starboard spars for the horizontal stabilizer, a few original Spitfire parts have been salvaged for both spars.
	Dave McLeod checking out his tail wheel parts and getting ready to machine some parts. The inner tube from the tail wheel required one small patch, it features a "Made in Great Britain" label and after 60 years that would indicate it was quality rubber.
A complete line up of tail wheel parts.	Tom Quibell and famed RCAF/RAF Spitfire ace Stocky Edwards, checking out the fabrication on the horizontal stabilizer. Stocky Edwards is a frequent visitor to the Y2K Spitfire hangar and will be attending the May 21 Open House.
Harold Mulder picked up a couple of interior lights for the Spitfire off eBay and sent them to us. They are now installed.

Plans are still being developed for the May 21, 2006 Open House. Invitation letters have gone out to 14 Spitfire pilots to attend our sixth annual event. We expect that at least 8 Spitfire veterans will attend... we have our fingers crossed. And, who knows, we may get lucky and have a dozen pilots visit our show this year. Two authors have been invited to talk to the pilots and to sell books that have recently been released and a documentary film maker has asked if he can attend and shoot some scenes for a film on famed RCAF/RAF Spitfire pilot Stocky Edwards.

The Comox Air Force Museum has re-opened after being shut down for about one month. The renovations are spectacular and we have received many compliments from people that have attended the Spitfire hangar after visiting the Museum. The museum has one of the finest aviation libraries in Canada. If you're into aviation history or research, our library has to be “a must see” in the near future.

The museum is open 7 days each week from 10-4 and the Y2-K Spitfire project hangar is open Saturday’s from 10-3. If you have a group that wants to see the Spitfire during the mid-week, call the museum and we will set up a tour for your group.

Thanks again for your time and support.

Pat Murphy
and the Spitfire Volunteers