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about the Y2K Spifire Project, please call
(250) 339-8164
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About This Site
This website will track the progress of the Spitfire Restoration Project as it progresses to our ultimate goal of getting Spitfire Y2K into the air again.
The project is being carried out at 19 Wing, Comox on Vancouver Island, Canada. The Spitfire is a very appropriate project for the Comox Valley for reasons which include:
the aircraft Y2K was flown in WWII by the 442 Squadron, which operates today from Comox in the Search & Rescue role
the ident "Y2K" is a timely project to begin in the year 2000.
many members of Canada's Air Force reside in the valley, both active and retired, so a wealth of expertise and aviation enthusiasm is readily available
the project is being carried out through the generous donations of time, skills, and funds from our many volunteers
History
In 1999, the Comox Air Force Museum acquired the dissembled Mk.1X Spitfire with identifiers TE 294. This particular aircraft was built by Vickers Armstrong, at Castle Bromwich, England, and on completion was delivered to 39MU at RAF Colerne on June 9th, 1945. Fitted with a Rolls Royce Merlin 70 engine, it was intended for service use as a high flying interceptor fighter, but never actually saw wartime service.
Later it was delivered to 122 Squadron RAF, until being sold to the South African Air Force (SAAF) on August 7th. 1947. TE 294 was flown out to South Africa (in stages) and on arrival in South Africa it was allocated the Serial number 5519 on the 13th of December 1947. It then was flown at Waterkloof Air Station, and suffered minor damage in accidents but these were repaired. Eventually it suffered major damage when the undercarriage collapsed on landing January 4th 1951. On the 22nd of January 1951, TE 294 was struck off charge, and sold to the South African Metal Company, who in turn sold it to the SAAF Museum.
Mr. Mark DeVries acquired the remains of TE 294 in South Africa and brought them to Vancouver, BC, Canada with the intention of eventually restoring the aircraft. Mr. DeVries agreed to sell the aircraft and surplus parts to the Comox Air Force Museum in late 1999 and TE 294 is now under restoration at Comox Air Force Museum to be restored as Y2K - a 442 Squadron wartime Mk IX Spitfire.
The Comox Airforce Museum
The Comox Air Force Museum is located at the main entrance to 19 Wing Comox and operates on an "equivalent to charitable institution" status as an accredited military museum. Its mandate is to preserve Canadian West Coast aviation heritage, both civilian and military. All programs are dependent upon fund raising activities to remain viable. The museum's popular Heritage Air Park contains eight aircraft and in 1999 attracted over 14,000 visitors.
The Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is celebrated as one of the most spectacular aircraft ever flown. Many Canadian squadrons during World War II operated them. The Spitfire's elliptical wings silhouette was recognized as a symbol of victory during the Battle of Britain. Many pilots today dream of flying a Spitfire as the ultimate aviation thrill.
Our Comox Spitfire
In 1999 the Comox Air Force Museum acquired a disassembled Mark IX Spitfire aircraft that served in South Africa after the war. Its registration is TE 294 and it was damaged in a landing accident in 1951. All of the parts have been accounted for including the 12 cylinder Merlin engine and restoration is underway.
Restoration
The aim of this project is to return this celebrated World War II aircraft to flying condition in the exact colours depicting 442 Squadron's famous Spitfire with the identifiers "Y2K". The restoration work is expected to take over five years to complete, but there is no shortage of enthusiastic volunteers. A dedicated Heritage Hangar has been constructed for the Spitfire refurbishment.
442 Search & Rescure Squadron
Today 442 Squadron is known throughout BC for its lifesaving search and rescue missions, flying the Buffalo aircraft and Cormorant helicopter. The squadron's heritage however, began in Europe in 1944 flying Mark IX Spitfires.
Y2-K The Origins
Most Commonwealth Squadrons had a 2 letter Squadron Identification, 442's Squadron identifier was "Y2" then each aircraft had an individual letter to Identify it, "K" is the Spitfire that our team is restoring, hence Y2-K.
The 
The Supermarine Spitfire is celebrated as one of the most spectacular aircraft ever flown. Many Canadian squadrons during World War II operated them. The Spitfire's elliptical wings silhouette was recognized as a symbol of victory during the Battle of Britain. Many pilots today dream of flying a Spitfire as the ultimate aviation thrill.
