Squadrons Visit During March Break

This month we see the final touches being put on the elevator. Once the cross braces are secured Bonn will start work on the two trim tabs. Since we don’t have the necessary drawings we will reverse engineer the two tabs we have on loan from Peter Monk of England.

With the arrival of spring and March break, the hangar was happy to host visits by members of 22 Red Knight Sqdn Powell River, 223 Red Lion Sqdn Vernon, 232 Big Horn Sqdn Oliver, 525 Pathfinder Sqdn West Nancouver and 581 Castlegar Squadrons, Royal Canadian Air Cadets on three separate occasions. One of the lucky Squadrons were honoured with a visit with Wing Commander Stocky Edwards and had many questions for one of Canada’s leading Ace’s and advisor to the Restoration project. We look forward to more visits by the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in the upcoming weeks ahead.

An exciting addition to the project this month was the donation of a book about the Mk IX and Mk XVI Spitfire. Now you may wonder how the donation of a book could create excitement. Well to tell you the truth this is one of the finest books that we have ever seen on the Spitfire.  For all you Spitfire enthusiasts out there, this book is a must for your library. There is information contained that we have looked for, for years. We do not yet have a complete set of blueprints and so with this book we were able to confirm some of our thoughts on the build. To George Bignell, Bob Reid and Paul Monforton (the author), we send our heartfelt thanks for your kindness and hard work. It is the thoughtfulness of supporters like this that has made this project such a rewarding experience.

To those supporters I would like to say “work is continuing on the restoration”. Although we have stopped taking donations while the Museum executive decide on the way ahead the restoration shall keep going. Work is nearly complete on the rear empennage and will soon start on the seat assembly. Sometime in the very near future I hope to announce a new partnership in the project that will see the “Y2K” Spitfire completed and flying overhead 19 Wing and the Comox Valley in the very near future.

Please note: This year's May Open House has been cancelled. Announcements will follow shortly

Mike Forbes
Y2K Spitfire Project Manager

“The Y2-K Spitfire will Fly Again"