Visitors Up for 2007, Work Continues on the Y2-K Spitfire

We have experienced one of the wettest springs in years on Vancouver Island but it did not prevent people from visiting our restoration project. On Saturday June 23 we had 5 different couples all visiting from the UK. It seems that the husbands had planned a trip to Vancouver Island for the fishing, great outdoors and to take in the many splendors of the Comox Valley and also planned a side trip to see our Spitfire project.

Visitations are breaking last years record numbers so our future continues to looks bright, keep in mind our project depends on your generosity, we receive no Government funding and our progress is completely in your hands. We have several ways how you can contribute to the success of Canada’s most significant aviation project.

You can donate on line through our website, or contact us at the hangar, we accept cash, credit cards and all donations over $20 are tax deductible, we will provide you with a tax receipt. We also offer Spitfire souvenirs such as T-Shirts, Hats and prints, all available for a donation. The special limited edition print ‘Touche’ with 12 Canadian Spitfire signatures is available through this website and can be obtained for a donation of $195, if your currently in or are a retired member of the Military or a police department the donation is $175. Help support this worthy project contact us today.

And speaking of donations, we are very pleased to report that we will be receiving some financial support from the birthplace of the Spitfire. John Davies, one of the organizers for the famed “Birkett Six Hour Relay Race” from Silverstone, home of British Motor Racing has informed our restoration team that they will include a fund raising element during the October, 27 event for the Y2-K Spitfire, we appreciate the offer and just recently sent a package of Y2-K Spitfire promotional material to the Spitfire Squadron racers care of John. Don’t be surprised if you see several Y2-K Spitfire T-Shirts on display or worn by the drivers. All proceeds raised will go directly to the Spitfire restoration. Help us get our Spitfire back into the air to honour the nearly 18,000 Canadians that were killed fighting for freedom during the Second World War that served in the RCAF or the RAF.

Keep in mind the restoration hangar is open for visits on Saturday’s from 10-3 and just lately we have been opening weekdays but to be certain phone the Comox or email the Air Force Museum to be sure of when we are open ph 250-339-8162 info@comoxirforcemuseum.ca

Work continues on the rudder and progress has been slow due to the large number of parts that have to be fabricated from scratch, at the same time other members of our team are working on the elevators, at first we though we could restore the elevator spar but upon closer inspection by our engineer it has been determined we will have to fabricate a new spar. Fortunately many of the original elevator brackets are still usable and as mentioned in a previous update we have acquired many elevator parts from an English source that will be used in our build. It has been suggested that both pieces should be complete by the end of August.

One of the most satisfying aspects of being part of this project is meeting the visitors that attend our workshop. Recently we have noticed the increased interest by young people for this period of Canadian history, many school age children are discovering the roll that Canadians played in the struggle for freedom 1939-195 and are very interested in seeing a piece of genuine Canadian Military history. We encourage you to drop in and see the excellent work that is going into our Spitfire and to visit our museum. We are very proud of our museum and our Library. If you want to do some aviation research visit our library it has been described as the finest aviation library in Canada.

Thanks for your continued time and interest

Pat Murphy
And the Y2-K Spitfire restoration team.

“The Y2-K Spitfire will Fly Again"