Spitfire fund grows

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 8

Spitfire fund grows

A third of the money required to replace the replica Spitfire that was burnt on its plinth outside the Brevet Club in Christchurch two weeks ago has been raised so far. The .Brevet Club launched a public appeal after the fire to raise funds for another replica. The first replica was made by Royal New Zealand Air Force volunteers at Woodbourne after moulds were taken from the original aircraft which stood outside the club for 20 years. The R.N.Z.A.F. has agreed to make the club another

replica, but $30,000 must be raised for this to proceed. The president of the Brevet Club, Mr Neil McDougall, said yesterday that $lO,OOO had already been raised towards the target. This money included gifts given after the burnt-out aircraft had gone on display at the Northlands and Riccarton malls. On Friday the aircraft will be displayed in Cathedral Square and on Saturday at Hornby. The only salvable parts from the original replica were pieces such as a rudder, the propeller, and

two elevators, Mr McDougall said. The first replica took six months to build, but this time would be reduced for the second replica because the moulds were already made. The R.N.Z.A.F. will restore the original aircraft which became a landmark outside the club, and it will take a place in the museum at Wigram. Donations towards the replacement aircraft can be made at any Westpac bank branch, or posted to the club at P.O. Box 1434, Christchurch.