A History Lesson at the Y2-K Hangar

When 10 year old Kyler “Spud” Jones of Nanaimo was tasked with picking a hero for a social studies class project he had no trouble selecting former Wing Commander James Francis “Stocky” Edwards, he also had no idea that he would get to meet his hero. Most of Kyler’s classmates had selected a sports personality for there projects, hockey player, football player. Kyler knew that Stocky Edwards was a genuine Canadian War hero, he had no idea that Stocky lived about an hour away and was part of the Y2-K Spitfire project; Kyler discovered the story of his hero by reading “The Desert Hawk” by Barbara Hehner and was totally enamored by Stocky’s exploits at the controls of a Kittyhawk in the Western Desert or flying Spitfires in the Mediterranean theatre of operations or over the grey skies of Northern Europe.

Kyler’s teacher had a vague Idea that Stocky lived in Comox, she did some research and helped Kyler locate Stocky, contact was made via the telephone and Kyler’s family, Mom, Dad and Grandma were invited to attend the Comox Air Force Museum to meet Stocky and discuss the class presentation. The meeting went very well; Stocky and Kyler hit it off immediately and soon both were deep into World War II history, Kyler asked a hundred questions and Stocky answered all of them, Stocky invited the family to drop into the Y2-K Spitfire hangar where Stocky introduced Kyler to the Spitfire. The family spent an hour in the hangar as Stocky showed them around the restoration project and explained the finer points of piloting and dog fighting and the history of this famous fighter aircraft that served the RCAF so well during some very dark days of World War II. Kyler left the restoration hangar with a new ball cap complete with an autograph that featured an illustration of Stocky’s Spitfire that he flew as Wing Commander of the famed 127 Canadian Spitfire wing; Kyler had met his hero and promised all the Spitfire volunteers he would be back for the 8th annual open house in May 2008.

Plans are underway for the 8th annual open house, it’s going to take some effort to beat last year’s event but we feel our team is up for the challenge. The event will take place on Sunday May 18th at the hangar, the doors will open at 10 a.m. and close again at 4 p.m the pilots will arrive at 1 pm and leave at 3 pm. Last year we had 9 Spitfire pilots attend and over 1,700 people filled through the hangar that day to see “Canada’s most significant aviation project” It was the most successful event in our 8 year history. Our first open house attracted about 80 visitors, since then over 42,000 people have visited us and a good number of those visitors have made a donation to the Spitfire restoration by obtaining a souvenir T-Shirt or hat either item can be obtained with a donation of just $25. Per item. We also have small prints and our special limited edition print (Touché) signed by 12 Canadian Spitfire pilots.

We will be inviting a number of Spitfire pilots to attend and once all of them have confirmed there attendance we will then announce those names. Were hoping we can attract 10 pilots this year.

Our engineer expects to have the elevator completed within the next 3 weeks; the leading edge skin has been cut and is ready for final fitting and riveting, the elevator tips are completed and are in place and riveting should be completed in a few days. Our restoration team has started fabricating the parts for the trim tabs and we hope to have them completed by the 15 of March. We have finally disassembled the tail wheel shock and parts have been ordered for the re-build, the main shaft will be soon re-chromed, once it has been re-built and re-assembled it will be installed on the tail wheel in time for the open house.

CRM of the Czech Republic sent us a couple of the Y2-K Spitfire kits that have been recently added to there product line, the kits are well crafted and complete with every detail, the decals provided will allow the builder to complete the version that is being restored TE294 as well as 2 versions of the wartime Y2-K Spitfire. Rob Stevens the Canadian distributor of these fine kits will be at the Open House with kits available for any 1:72 scale modelers that are planning to attend our annual event. Now you can also own a Y2-K Spitfire, 10% of all sales of this kit will go to the Y2-K Spitfire restoration project, you can obtain this kit on line at http://www.westcoasthobbys.com.

The Y2-K hangar is open most Saturdays for tours, if your driving from any distance it’s best to call or email the museum to make sure we will be open the day you plan to attend, visiting hours are between 10 and 2.

Thanks again for your support and interest.

Pat Murphy
And the Y2-K Spitfire restoration team.
(Email the Editor)

“The Y2-K Spitfire will Fly Again"