Spitfire replica one step closer to new home

Crews removed a Spitfire replica from the roof of K-W Surplus last week. The plane will be part of a memorial garden planned for Tillsonburg Airport. (Contributed Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

A replica of a Second World War Spitfire is one step closer to becoming part of a memorial garden at the Tillsonburg Airport.

The full-sized replica was on the roof of K-W Surplus after owner Ray Whittemore purchased it in 1995. When he decided to sell the business and offered the wood-and-fiberglass replica to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, of which he is a member, a vision quickly emerged to mount it on a pole and make it the centerpiece of a memorial garden.

John Britton, who is heading up the project for CHAA, said the memorial garden will be a community project. The vision still needs council’s blessing, but Airport Advisory Committee members already know of the plan and have given their blessing. The memorial garden will pay tribute to those who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and were part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which led to the construction of Tillsonburg Airport. Two CHAA members who made contributions to aviation in Canada will also be honoured.

Britton said there were a few hiccups in removing the plane from the roof.

“Being outside on the roof in the weather, it is in need of restoration,” he said.

Deterioration was noted in several parts, including the fuselage, the propeller - one blade broke off during removal - and the wings. Made of wood and fiberglass, most issues are due to wood decay.

“It’s going to be a good, solid base to build from,” Britton said.

The City of Windsor has a similar replica mounted on a pole in one of its parks, and Britton has been in touch to see if he can borrow the engineering of how it was done.

The Spitfire is presently in Woodstock at a CHAA member's, but it will be coming to Tillsonburg Airport for restoration in the near future.