Sixth Annual Open House

After months of planning and with high expectations of a well attended event, the Y2K Spitfire team was relieved when over 1,300 Spitfire devotees showed up at the 6th Annual "Open House" on Sunday, May 21st! The weather cooperated and for the first time in a few years we were blessed with some very crowd pleasing weather . This year we had visitors from the USA, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario and all over Vancouver Island. In fact, some reported later they could not find a place to park and just decided not to try, instead they would drop in the next week. Project Manager, Mike Forbes said, "This is the best event we've ever had"!

We had received conformation from 7 Spitfire veterans that they would attend. Our excitement at that prospect was soon exceeded when 10 Spitfire veterans showed up! In previous events the most Spitfire veterans we had the pleasure of introducing to our guests was 5. Special thanks to Stocky Edwards, Duke Warren, John Pomerletz, Kit Carson, Jim O'Toole, Art Sager, Hugh Morse, Les Smith, Eric Marsh and John Mallandaine. Morse and Mallandaine flew with 442 Squadron during the war.

Another famous 442 veteran, S/L Donald "Chunky" Gordon, was honored this year by his brother, Merritt Gordon, and Nephew Greg Maslen -- both traveled from Ontario. Chunky Gordon achieved considerable fame during his service with 442 Squadron and flew the Y2K Spitfire on 32 occasions. Gordon passed away in 1949.

Also attending from Ontario was Ron Roseland Barnes, son of F/L Arnold 'Rosy" Roseland. This is Ron's 3rd visit to our open house events. Ron set up a table and relayed his father's story to hundreds of interested people. F/L Roseland was killed on July 13, 1944 while flying Y2-P. He is buried in a war grave in Normandy.

Special thanks has to go out to the volunteers that helped us at the open house: Rob Roy, Ben Eby, Linda Gourlay, Bob Murphy, Tom Burkett, and Margaret Quibell.

We managed to install the tail on TE 294 just in time for the open house. It took a Herculean effort by the entire team to achieve this feat, but we managed it. Now with its fresh coat of paint it's looking very splendid and certainly stands out. The task for this month is to get the horizontal stabilizer completed and mounted. More on this in our next report.

For the first time in 6 years one of our more significant team members was missing. Harold Mulder, as you well know if you follow this site, has been posted to Trenton. Harold's presence is as missed as is his energy and passion for the restoration. Just a week after the Open House was held, Harold managed a short visit to the hangar and you can see by the pictures of his visit he was very happy to be reunited with the Spitfire.

  6th Annual Open House, May 21st, 2006

	Part of the large Spitfire model display. This year the display included 35 Canadian Spitfire models all featuring Canadian Spitfire pilots. Several pictures were included this year of 442 Squadrons group photos.
Now with its tail attached and painted, TE 294 and the hangar are almost ready for the big Open House.
	Duke Warren and John Pomerletz signing autographs. Hundreds of visitors went away from the event with some signatures from some real Canadian heros.
A crowd scene of the open house, standing room only is the best way to describe the event. At one time the parking lot was jammed, people were waiting in line to gain access, they had to wait until people left in order to get in. Our biggest event ever for sure!
	A documentary film crew moved through the hangar interviewing visitors and Spitfire pilots. Kit Carson is seen here talking to the camera crew.
Some additional volunteers were required to help with the massive crowd. Here Bob Murphy from Nanaimo gave up a game of golf to help with tax receipts and credit card transactions. Linda Gourlay exchanges a few ideas with Bob to help speed up the process. Linda drove up from Duncan to help out.
	Ron Roseland Barnes with his father's log book. Ron has attended the Open House event on several occasions and has shared the story of his father with hundreds of Spitfire devotees.
Former 442 Squadron Spitfire pilot, Hugh Morse, attended from his home in Maple Ridge on the mainland. Hugh flew with the Squadron during the Aleution Island campaign, then with the Squadron in England and France. He was good friends with Arnold Roseland and shared stories to many visitors about his love of the Spitfire.
	Art Sager has now attended 4 annual Open House events; he attended from his home in Victoria. Art is the only living wartime Squadron Leader from 443 Squadron.
Duke Warren sharing a Spitfire adventure with one of our 1,300 visitors.
	S/L Donald "Chunky "Gordon flew the Y2K Spitfire on 32 occasions during late 1944 and early 1945. His brother Merritt brought his famous brothers medals to the event from his home in Peterborough, Ontario.
Stocky Edwards spent a good part of his afternoon talking to children and sharing his wartime stories with them.
	Spitfire veteran, Eric Marsh from Maple Bay on Vancouver Island. Eric flew with 132 and 17 Squadrons RAF.
Les Smith flew with a Polish Squadron and attended the Open House from his home in Port Alberni.