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Gala Teaser from the Comox Air Force Musuem

Jun 22, 2018 | News

Jon Ambler, director of the Comox Air Force Museum, gives us a little teaser about the impending arrival of the restored Y2K Spitfire and the pilot, Stocky Edwards, who will be honoured at the gala event on 8 August 2018. ...

Frequently Asked Questions

Jun 21, 2018 | FAQ

What is this event all about? In August, this year, the iconic WWII fighter aircraft, the Mark IX Spitfire, callsign “Y2K”, that was started here in Comox some 18 years ago, will be returning to the Valley for a visit and show. To celebrate this event, a gala banquet...

Y2K Spitfire comes home

Jun 21, 2018 | News

Many thanks to the Record for helping us get the word out regarding this historic event. This article follows a long history of this newspaper providing information to the general public about the restoration of this iconic piece of aviation history. We hope to see...

Phase 1: Beginnings (1999-2008)

Jun 11, 2018 | Spitfire History

Few aircraft hold such a place of love and respect in a nation’s aviation history that they can be called “iconic”. For members of the British Commonwealth, the iconic fighter aircraft of World War Two was the Supermarine Spitfire. The Spitfire was physically beautiful, with graceful lines and elliptical wings, while at the same time it was deadly efficient in air combat. Many of the pilots who flew it, including Wing Commander Stocky Edwards of Comox, BC, say it was a dream machine to fly – it responded beautifully to light control input and could turn circles around enemy aircraft.

Phase 2: Partnership with VWC in Comox (2008-2014)

Jun 11, 2018 | Spitfire History

Restoration proceeded slowly but surely, despite heroic volunteer efforts to raise funds and awareness. The pace was dictated by funds and by 2007, when the original plans had said the aircraft would be flying, only the fuselage and tail of Y2K were completed. Volunteer enthusiasm was being tested and it was becoming increasingly clear that considerable funds were going to be needed to finish this project: now anticipated to be over $2 million, a number twice the original estimate and several orders of magnitude beyond any CAFM fund raising campaign. The wings alone could cost upwards of $1.5 Million.

Phase 3: VWOC in Gatineau (2014-2017)

Jun 11, 2018 | Spitfire History

The original VWOC plan was to ship the completed wings to Comox, using available hangar space in the GRA for the installation of the wings on the fuselage. In 2011 the Spitfire workshop was renovated, increasing the workspace to install the wings. However, in order to get the aircraft out of the workshop the wings would have to be removed, this is difficult and time consuming. The problems with using a 19 Wing hangar were threefold: it would take up valuable hangar space, all VWOC staff would need ongoing GRA access, and the aircraft would not be accessible to the public.

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