We have some sad news to share with our regular readers so it’s best to start this month's update with the details. Those of us that are part of the restoration project are honored to be in a position to meet many veterans of the second world war on a regular basis. We are fortunate that many former Spitfire pilots are aware of our project and of this website.

In the fall of 2004 we had the privilege to meet an RAF Spitfire veteran who traveled to our restoration hangar from his home in England. Stanley Willison flew Mk I’s, Mk 11’s V’s and Mk VI’s, and most of his RAF service was with 118 Squadron. When Stanley visited our hangar he shared many Spitfire stories with our restoration team and his stories were most entertaining. He was proud of his RAF service and his love for the venerable Spitfire was very obvious to those of us that had the good fortune to hear them. Stanley recently passed away at his home in England with his wife by his side. His family informed us of his passing and they shared with us the wonderful time he had at our project hangar, they tell us he spoke often of his visit and the joy he had seeing TE 294. We would like to thank the family for the generous financial donation that the family made to our project in Stanley Willison’s memory. God Speed Stanley. It was indeed a pleasure to have met you.

Picture right: Stanley Willison

We have a second bit of sad news that we must also share. It is with considerable sadness that we announce the passing of Mark DeVries. Twenty-five years ago Mark DeVries, a true Spitfire devotee, started the restoration of TE294 at his South African home. It was Mark's dream to put TE294 back into the air. He acquired the airframe in his native South Africa and started collecting parts and technical details from many sources around the world. Regrettably in the early 90's Mark found out that he was sick with cancer. He decided to move to Canada and he brought the restoration project with him. In 1998 Mark and the Comox Air Force Museum got together and discussions soon produced a sale and the museum took over the restoration project. It is our intention to help Mark with his dream of returning TE294 to the air -- the Y2K Spitfire will Fly Again! And Mark DeVries will have played a major roll in that process. He would visit our hangar when he could and would often email or phone different members of our restoration team to make inquiries on our progress. He shared his Spitfire experience and technician information unselfishly on many occasions, he was extremely passionate with respect to his love for this incredible aircraft.

On January 25 Mark succumbed to the effects of his cancer, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family . Mark's expertise and zeal for Spitfires will be sorely missed.

Work is progressing well on the Horizontal stabilizer, the original parts have been completely striped down and taken apart. All parts have been inspected for damage and or corrosion -- the sandblasting boys have been busy. Those parts that are useable have been carefully inspected, cleaned and set aside for painting. They will eventually be re-used in the construction phase that will take place in a week or two. Molding blocks are in the process of being cut to fabricate the ribs and various other parts. The spars are nearing completion and should soon be ready for painting. Once the parts are completed an assembly jig will be built and construction of the new stabilizer will begin.

We had an unexpected visitor to the Hangar on Saturday January 28. Michael Johnson, of Wings Fine Arts Inc. and son of the late Air Vice Marshall Johnnie Johnson, paid us a visit to discuss a fund raising idea. Michael Johnson lives just a few miles north of the Comox Air Base and has been a big help to our project. His generous donation of aviation art to our fund raising efforts are much appreciated.

Michael Johnson casts an Spitfire savvy eye at recent work on the Y2-K tail section. Son of the famous Spitfire pilot Johnnie Johnson. Michael operates his Limited Edition Art business from his nearby home.

< Bits and pieces

We also had a nice visit from the Campbell River British Car Club. All attending members were delighted to spend time with the famous Spitfire, the ultimate in Fighter aircraft. They will be attending our 2006 Annual Open House on Sunday May 21 and plan to bring a few Triumph Spitfires for display.

Picture right: Campbell River British Car Club

Don't forget about our exciting Limited Edition print offer. Click on our link and you can support the Spitfire restoration with a donation and own a piece of Canadian aviation heritage. Our print contains the signatures of 12 RCAF Spitfire pilots, our link on this web site will show you how you can acquire the print and the names of the Spitfire pilot signature attached. We can ship the print anywhere in the world.

Thanks again for your time and support.

Pat Murphy
and the Spitfire Volunteers