5000 Miles in a Spitfire!
It’s never been done before in the iconic WWII fighter!
This August (2018), the newly-restored Spitfire Mk IX of the Michael Potter Aircraft Collection/Vintage Wings of Canada is flying from its home base of Ottawa/Gatineau, to Comox, BC, and will appear at a number of events. It is the only Spitfire flying in Canada.
Says Pilot Dave Hadfield: “It’s like flying from Lisbon to Moscow, and crossing a mountain range – twice.”
When Mr. Potter took over the stalled project in 2008 in order to create a flying aircraft, he promised to return one day and display the completed, restored, airplane – in all its magnificence. He is excited to be fulfilling that promise!
Departing in mid-July, the Spitfire will spend a week at Airventure in Oshkosh, where it will be center-stage for the themed 100th Anniversary of the RAF. Then it will route through the NW states via Mullen Pass, and arrive in Comox around Aug 03. It will then be the focus of presentations and displays organized by a team led by Mr. Terry Chester, of Comox.
Canada’s highest-scoring surviving fighter pilot, Mr. James “Stocky” Edwards, will be among those featured at Gala Dinners, interviews, “Spitfire Ground-Schools” and many other events. The return flight will begin in late August. The aircraft commemorates Flt. Lt. Arnold “Rosey” Roseland, who flew a Spitfire exactly like this in 1944 with the RCAF – and died in one. His squadron, 442, still exists today, and flies Search and Rescue missions from CFB Comox.
Fingers crossed – a very rare and treasured piece of history will grace the west-coast skies this summer!
Upon its return, the Spitfire will feature in the Ottawa Airshow and the Battle of Britain Flypast on Sept. 15-16, joining the rest of the fighters of the stunning, one-of-a-kind Collection. The aircraft operates with the support of Vintage Wings of Canada, the foundation located at the Spitfire’s home base at the Gatineau airport.
Trip Leader, and pilot, Dave Hadfield dave@hadfield.ca
Comox Team Leader, Terry Chester y2kspitfire2018 at gmail.com (250) 898 1330.
Vintage Wings of Canada www.vintagewings.ca