Even the heat wave on Vancouver Island

could not slow down production on the horizontal stabilizer during the month of July. Visitor count remains high and as word spreads around the aviation community many visitors continue to arrive from overseas to check out the Y2K Spitfire restoration. Several people have suggested that our Spitfire is the the most significant restoration project in Canada... we tend to agree.

A couple of our visitors have also noted that they planned to visit the Martin Mars at Port Alberni but because of the forest fire season, the Water Bombers were off fighting fires around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Remember if you're enjoying the back woods on our beautiful Island, please be careful with your camp fire and don’t forget to use your ashtray.

Bonn and Tom have almost completed the leading edge pieces for the horizontal stabilizers. They first completed the wooden mold to shape the pieces, then started the shaping process. Both port and starboard pieces took about a day each to rough out, fine tuning and final shaping took another day. The top skins have been riveted to the stabs and Bonn is planning to rivet the bottom skins later next week. Once the leading edge bits have been heat treated they will be ready for attachment along with the bottom skins. Bonn estimates that the horizontal stabs will be completed and mounted on TE 294 by the middle of August.

If you are planning a trip to our restoration hangar, plan your visit for a Saturday. We have plenty of free parking and we are open for tours from 10-3 on any Saturday. If you're part of a group and you can only attend mid-week, call the Comox Air Force Museum at 250-339- 8162 at least a week in advance and we can arrange a tour. Don’t forget, the museum is open 7 days each week from 10-4 and we offer some fantastic displays on the history of the Comox Air Force Base. We also boast one of the best aviation libraries in Canada. The heritage air park is adjacent to our restoration hangar and is also open 7 days each week.

Our Desperate Need for Financial Support

If you’ve ever considered making a donation in support of the Y2K Spitfire restoration project, this would be the time to do it. We have been toiling away now for 6 years and have made considerable progress on this historic Canadian aviation project, however, our donations have not kept pace with the expenses necessary to carry on without interruption. Our current contract with our engineer will run out the first week of October and our bank balance will not permit us to carry on with the restoration till our donation situation improves. We have invested slightly over $500,000 CDN during the last 6 years. We require twice that amount to complete our Spitfire project and get the Y2K Spitfire back into the air where it can truly honour the 18,000 Canadians that were killed during the Second World war in RCAF service.

We have worked hard to find the financial support that we know is out there somewhere. We have written hundreds of letters to foundations, corporations, and many of Canada’s industrial leaders and have yet to find the support necessary to guarantee the success of this significant, historic project. If you have the financial means to assist us or know of anyone who could help out, please, contact us now and we will be pleased to discuss your donation or sponsorship. Without your help the future of our restoration project is in doubt.

	The wooden mold takes as much work as fabricating the leading edge bits. All of our wooden block forms are stored and available to inspect. If you're working on a home-built project, you may want to ask Bonn for some building techniques.
A view of the top skins after the riveting process. Once the leading edge bits have been heat treated, the bottom skins will be riveted to the frame. Then the riveting process will follow on the leading edge bits.
	Tom and Bonn shaping the leading edge bits. Thankfully we have a pattern piece to work with and a good selection of factory drawings for information.
Tapping some imperfections out of the leading edge with the skill of a surgeon and the patience of a parent. Shaping metal is a rare skill and our engineer is well experienced.
	After many fittings the leading edges are now almost perfect. The new bits will be fitted and adjusted many time during the fabrication process. Rebuilding a Spitfire is a painstaking process and labour of love.
Almost done and the look on Bonn's face says it all.

If you have any questions regarding our Spitfire restoration or want to know how to make a donation, you can email me personally at pjmurphy@shaw.ca.

Thanks again for your time and support

Pat Murphy
And the Y2-K Spitfire restoration team.

“The Y2-K Spitfire will Fly Again