FRIENDS OF THE RAAF MUSEUM

SPITFIRE PROJECT

The Friends of the RAAF Museum has embarked on a project, which is sanctioned by the Director of the RAAF Museum, to have a pole mounted fibre glass replica of a full size Spitfire Mk VIII placed outside the entrance to the RAAF Museum. It would be painted to appropriately represent A58-492 (LF.VIII) MT518 of 79 Sqn which was involved in the defence of Northern Australia and deployed to operations within the South West Pacific area.

As you would be aware, the RAAF had over 800 Spitfires in its wartime inventory, but sadly, there is not one in the Museum's inventory. The successful completion of this project would serve to lift the profile of the RAAF Museum to all visitors and in the future advertising of the Museum.

The project would look similar to the replica mounted in the USA (below).

A project of this magnitude requires funding and  a special account has been established with the Bendigo Bank to accept donations. Currently, donations of $25,000 have been received so far for this significant and important project which is estimated to cost around $100,000. The details of this account are:

BSB 633 000

Acct No 151 789 237

Acct Name:   The Friends Public Fund

Project planning is well advanced and several reputable overseas companies have been approached to provide quotes to produce a Spitfire to meet the specification. Hopefully, the replica Spitfire should be erected on the pole by mid 2015.

It would be appreciated if you could consider providing a donation towards this worthwhile project.

You can also go to the Friends web site (www.friends.asn.au ) where you can get further info and if you prefer, make a donation via Paypal.

   Ron Gretton.

*****

Ron Gretton was instrumental in building the Bristol Boxkite replica aircraft that recently "starred" at the March 2014 Point Cook airshow - see HERE.   

We have a lot of members and if everyone gave even just a little, it would make a large dent in the funding requirements.

This project deserves your support, please give what you can.   tb.