The Comox Valley Air Force Museum Association (Friends of the Museum) members and volunteers have decided to speak up after reading a number of negatively biased articles in the newspaper. Included in this group of volunteers is Tom Quibell who was sited in the Ottawa Citizen as one of the disgruntled volunteers. Volunteers and members not in this video because of the 10 min limit, but who endorse the partnership with Vintage Wings of Canada are:
Mike Forbes: Spitfire Liaison
Herb Lightfoot: Museum Heritage Aircraft Team Leader
Herman Torgenson: Museum Heritage Aircraft Team
Ray Webber: Gift Shop volunteer
Allison Hetman: Volunteer Librarian
Brian O'Cain: Library Volunteer
Amanda Low: CVAFMA member
Tom Lowe: Museum volunteer
Steve MacNamee: Museum volunteer
Keith Kent: Museum Heritage Aircraft Volunteer
David Stinson: Volunteer Collections Manager
Don Grenon: Museum Volunteer
Y2K Project: the Facts.
In 2000 the Comox Air Force Museum (CAFM) used a $250,000 Millenium Grant (Public Funds) to buy pieces of a scrapped/wrecked Spitfire. The plan was to restore it to flying condition, callsign Y2K. This is the callsign used by 442 Sqn during WW2, notable because the Sqn is now resident in Comox. The project was subsequently funded entirely by donations from the general public, with income tax receipts granted for donations over $20, upon request. The funds were used to hire an engineer to do the restoration and pay for materiel. The best years saw approx $40,000 raised through the remarkable efforts of volunteers. But, with $2 million needed to finish the project the goal that "Y2K Will Fly Again" is fully 50 years away, without any inflation or taking into account the world's current economic troubles. It would take 50 years if the three pillars of the project stood strong. The three pillars are: the funds that are raised through donations, the paid AME, and the volunteers. In the months before the option of partnering with Vintage Wings of Canada was considered, there was a couple of thousand in the bank and dwindling fast, the AME had informed the museum that he could no longer do the 2 or 3 month contracts as funds were raised and would be moving on and the volunteers had become disheartened and dwindled from 40 down to two.
Restoration proceeded slowly, with the pace dictated by funds, and by 2009 only the fuselage and tail, the two simplest parts of an aircraft, were completed. It became clear considerable funds (est. $2 million) were needed to finish this project. It still needs wings (which alone cost $750,000) an engine (the overhaul of which will cost over $100,000), fuel system, instruments and radios, hydraulics and landing gear). Additionally, concerns were raised about operating the finished aircraft, since facilities to fly, hangar, maintain, insure, fuel and display it were non-existent. In 2008 a detailed options analysis confirmed that the project would have to cease and the unfinished aircraft be disposed of unless a new owner could be found. Consequently, the aircraft was formally offered to other Air Force and Canadian museums, and, because of their knowledge of the resources needed to complete Y2K, no museum volunteered to take on the project.
Subsequently, Vintage Wings of Canada, a legitimate Heritage Foundation, offered to take over the project in-situ, provide the estimated $1.6 - 2 million to restore it to flying status and initially display it in Comox. It would then be flown in the National Capital area for the benefit of all Canadians on significant memorial occasions, and elsewhere across Canada to inspire Canadians with our heritage.
Because of the financial commitment that Vintage Wings would make, the transfer of the aircraft ownership was done at nominal cost. This has been endorsed and they took over the completed pieces for the $1 nominal cost, as is common practice. This action permits the realization of a project that will otherwise end, one that is dear to numerous Veterans and other Canadians. This project will serve to highlight and promote our history, particularly during Canada's Centennial of Flight in 2009, and in the future.
http://www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca
http://www.y2kspitfire.com
http://www.vintagewings.ca/page?s=63&lang=en-CA
http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/Spitfire+committee+endorsed+tran...
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