Warbird Information Exchange

Yesterday the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum posted on social media they have been granted ownership of the Spitfire, CF-100 and Sabre that have been on long term loan from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum (Ingenium). The intention is to get the Spitfire airworthy. Thought this was noteworthy news as seeing aircraft leave the grasp of a national collection is a rarity these days.

Spitfire LF Mk. XVIe TE214


Avro Canada CF-100 Mk. 5/5D Canuck RCAF 18785


North American Sabre Mk. 6 RCAF 23651

Good news.
I was surprised that (according to the"number flying" thread here) there is only one airworthy Spitfire in Canada.

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I was very surprised they would do this at first glance. However, it makes sense after looking into it. The museum has more than one example of each of the aircraft they are deaccessioning. The Spitfire, TE214, was one of only three they own. (The others being a Mk.IIB, P8332 and an L.F. Mk. IX, NH188.) The museum also has another CF-100, 100757, and Sabre 23455 - both of which are not only the same model, but the same variant as well. These are both very well considered decisions.

For reference, the CWHM's Facebook and Twitter posts.

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Awesome news! CWH deserves a flying Spitfire. I'm sure it will take a while to restore, especially considering the other aircraft they have in the queue, but it will be a worthwhile endeavor.

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Matt

I would say technically 2...the VWC MkIX and then Bob Jens has the MkXIV out west..been a few years since it flew so I am not sure how airworthy it is.

Good news for CWHM. Little upset CASM let go of the original Golden Hawk Sabre..I used to love looking at when it was display at Rockliffe. But at least it is at a good home..I just hope they don't leave it outside long term like a bunch of their jets.

Sean

This is great for CWH, here's hoping they keep track of any conditions in the donation agreement so we aren't reading another F-82 story in several years.

Whenever I hear news like this I can't help thinking of that old Air Classics cover with the Hurricane, Mustang and Corsair and "if only ..." they still had that core of fighters to add the Spit to. But, that was going on 30 years ago, I guess it's time to get over it. They have made great progress in recent years.

August

Well that is good news and good to have another future airworthy Spitfire. Congratulations to all concerned.

As far as I know, it has been over fifteen years (possibly a few more) since Bob Jens' Spitfire last flew.

Wow…a lot longer than I would have thought…safe to say 1 then!

Would love to see the Lizzy back in the air before the Spit.

And eventually the Bolly which was worked to airworthy before they changed to ground running.

I know it's not my $ or event how it compares to the Stip restoration.

But still. It's 2 Canadian centavos reflection.

Cheers!!!!

I'd say the same.

I visited timidly knocking on the door of his business 10 years plus.

Mr. Jen was a real gent taking all the time to answer my questions on the Mossie.

Even he said it had been a few year since last flow back in those days.

Many folks claim this Spit is far from being original compared to to modern more exacting restoration / recreation.

Still getting an airworthy Spit in those day was not as easy as it is today.

His intent was to give it to a museum eventually.

Cheers.

I had a good look at this Spitfire recently during the Canso Funds 25th Anniversary dinner -- during which, by the way, John Carswell assigned another Canso to CWH - he bought the one in Victoria - and gave them a $1M cheque to support and fly it. Great guy, John C. It's a pleasure to fly his Lysander.

Anyway, I don't know the history of the Mk XVI Spitfire they've been given. From the outside it looks like an excellent candidate for restoration. It's not pristine of course, but if you found this "in a barn" you'd be thanking your lucky stars. For them to get this airframe, and the other two jets, is a huge coup that deserves great respect. Kudos to their organization for making it happen.

As we know at Vintage Wings of Canada from building a Spitfire, and flying one since 2001, it's all about what's behind the panels, and under the old skins and rivets.

The great thing about the Spitfire is that it's so iconic. Having flown one around quite a bit, I can attest to its magic with a crowd. Everyone wants to touch it. Plus, the RCAF had 11 squadrons of them in 1945, so very many Canadians are connected. This makes fund-raising vastly easier than with a less sexy type such as an Oxford. I can't speak for the CWH guys, but I would hope it's possible to find an individual who has a family background involving Spitfires, who will sponsor the whole rebuild. That's the Grail with these things -- as my remarks re John C attest.

The other side of the coin is a Business Plan. That's the hard reality faced by every flying museum. If aircraft cannot pay their way, then they have to have support from elsewhere. Mere enthusiasm doesn't cut it.

That hugely influences how they will restore this Spitfire -- in what configuration they will build it.

Dave

Technically Bob Jens is the only flying Spitfire in Canada
VWC has a nice representation of a Spitfire also but “technically “ this was built from scratch with no hulk to start from . It is a beautifully built “ replica/new build “ .

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The CWH Spitfire has never been touched and is a very complete original Spitfire .
Yes the rivets will be magnesium so that will have to be dealt with but that’s all part of the game.
I’ll have to research the “accident” you mention but from outward appearances it looks drone and sits on it gear straight and true .

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I

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...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams