Reverse Spitfire fund?

Pheew…well…you could…..but why would you..? Copyright issues aside – It’s all available across the web or in libraries or archives. It’d be far more effective, not to mention vastly cheaper, to create a ‘Master Index’, so that those interested would know where to look. That way, almost anyone could contribute at little or no cost. As a long time rooter-out of obscure information, it’s the finding that’s the hardest part.

Snoopy7422 That cannot be done under current management. However there was a plan for something EXACTLY like that before the EGM, and the hope is that one day it can become reality. At which point someone will be back in touch to hold you to your kind offer.

And as for copyright considerations, I have a bound copy of the 1988 Intellectual Property Act on the bookshelf next to me looking over my shoulder as I type.

Pheew…well…you could…..but why would you..? Copyright issues aside – It’s all available across the web or in libraries or archives. It’d be far more effective, not to mention vastly cheaper, to create a ‘Master Index’, so that those interested would know where to look. That way, almost anyone could contribute at little or no cost. As a long time rooter-out of obscure information, it’s the finding that’s the hardest part.

Snoopy 7422 is correct. I hope he’ll forgive me for interpreting. He writes that all that can be known about the Spitfire in all its incarnations is known – but you have to look for it. As I sit here I count eight books on the Spitfire alone on my shelves. I would bet that to others, that is drop in the ocean.

The Spitfire is the most thoroughly documented, researched, written about and discussed aeroplane since the dawn of flying. And this will continue as successive generations unfold. A vital part of the Spitfire’s attraction, apart from that which is intrinsic, is its role in preserving the free world from a tyranny that threatened to engulf this country – the last repository of resistance in Europe.

I too. was an early member of the Spitfire Society and was privileged to write a Memorial service eulogy for David Green.

I think that the most useful function for the Spitfire Society would be to acquire as extensive an information library as would be possible. I don’t think that this could be done electronically – the task would be vast. I would guess that around 95% of the written information about the Spitfire is contained in book form. The remaining 5% is visual action and held on DVD, video or film. If sufficient funding could be gathered to pay an archivist or two then, transference of information from hard copy to electronic might just be feasible. What a job !

Re post 46, You are correct, and I am very pleased to be able to tell Mike J that the £20K guarantee has NOT been forgotten, nor are the subsequent actions of the then Exec members been forgotten.

…some of the above posts miss my point entirely.
Firstly, the functionality of the Spitfire Society worked well whilst there were plenty of survivors, for whom it was a common point of interest. Now they are largely gone, it’s become more of a social club. That isn’t to denigrate it, it’s just a fact. That’s OK, nothing wrong with that at all, it’s was pretty-much inevitable.
Equally, we have nearly all the drawings or examples of Marks, hundreds of tons of documents, squadron records, and thousand upon thousands of books that cover the Spitfire in every detail. Added to that are the memoirs, first hand accounts etc of all who were involved. Now, sure, if you are bored, you can dredge-up, probably second-hand accounts of more information, but compared with many other types, the Spitfires cup overfloweth…!
As a social club/talking shop for some enthusiasts, the S.S. doubtless works fine. Does it have a technical library or publish other data vital to the survival of the type….? No. Does it have an Airworthiness function? No – that I’m aware of. Is it recovering and restoring Spitfires…err…nooo….. Would the type be forgotten, disappear or it’s reputation be impugned if the SS folded..? No. The Society is basically important to it’s active membership, not to the survival or legacy of the type, so lets not get carried-away overstate that case.
When I was a member, most activity seemed to be centred around a few points in the SE of the UK, so I never even got to meet anyone and eventually allowed my membership to lapse. I genuinely wish the members well, but I wouldn’t bother to rejoin myself now as (Nearly.) all the old-timers have gone.
As for ‘misinformation’, well, you are in the right place being on the web (Not this site specifically..!), as the web’s full of junk ‘information’ about anything you may care to mention….! The seriously interested people will always go to suitable sources. I’m happy to be corrected if I am wrong on any of that, but you get my drift…
Anyone wanting unadulterated information can find it if it’s important to them. Is the S.S. then the natural first port of call for this? No. It’s a club, and that’s fine.

And said Executive members clearly stated that they were guaranteeing any losses personally, but then seemed to conveniently forget about this commitment in the aftermath. 🙁

Snoopy’s last paragraph in Post Nr. 40 says

“It’s the loveliest of all aircraft, but the world is awash with Spitfire information now, there is little to be said or learned”[/I][/I] .

So I suggest the Soviet Airforce usage of the aircraft as one example where so little is yet known. Post 44 – Tangmere1940, too, is quite correct regarding future priorities. To lose such a large chunk of money over the Polesden Lacey event in July last year was, in my persoanal opinion, disgusting. And all the more so because a number of patrons and members warned the then Executive to cancel it at least nine months earlier.

I suspect that the Society might need to prioritise rescuing itself and recouping its losses, financially and image-wise, before it could consider much else.

I’m sure we all wish the Spitfire Society well and hope that it is able to undo the damage to its credibility in order to carry forward the good work as David Green intended. Good luck with those endeavours and hoping very much that the activities of the other organisation do not impair such endeavours.

Back to Snoopy 7422, if he would look into Spitfires used by the Soviet Airforces he will find that there almost zero knowledge here in the west just as an example!

So is this an area of research to which we can expect the Society to direct some of these resources that you mention?

I have to disagree. The problem with the abundance of data on the Spitfire is that there is a lot of misinformation. I spent a day volunteering with the Eastern Wing of the Society at Duxford on the weekend (lovely weather!) As usual, we had a steady stream of visitors asking questions, telling us about family members who flew during the war, sharing information & photos etc etc. There is always something new to be learned – and in turn, we try to educate and inform people about all aspects of the Spitfire – something we plan to continue doing.

I have to agree with NightReaper because Snoopy 7422 is, may I say very politely, not up to date on the subject of membership criteria. David Green (DG), the founder, by 1991 recognised that in the future the membership would be self limiting if the society maintained its stance of current and ex Services Spitfire connected personnel only. Snoopy is, however, quite correct in saying that it was the original basis for membership. In 1984 when the society came into being I suggest that no one reading FlyPast at that time would have thought that world wide interest in Spitfires or any other classic and historic aircraft would develop in the way that it has to today’s levels. In fact in one of the last conversations I had with DG he said he could believe the changes that had occurred in the public perception of this subject that engages us all.

In recent years the society has followed the path of trying to make sure that those who wish to, can get ‘up close and personal’ with Spitfires and have access to any and all information on the subject that is possible. Added to which it has a series of funds that can be made available as the result of generous bequests to the society in recent years
because the broader aims and aspirations of the society include encouraging students to make a career within the aviation industry. The Grants Secretaries rigorously review those applications to ensure they meet stringent criteria so that those precious funds are not frittered away on inappropriate projects. The Royal Aeronautical Society and others helped greatly some years ago in suggesting the guidelines.

Back to Snoopy 7422, if he would look into Spitfires used by the Soviet Airforces he will find that there almost zero knowledge here in the west just as an example!

The Spitfire Society

It’s the loveliest of all aircraft, but the world is awash with Spitfire information now, there is little to be said or learned.

I have to disagree. The problem with the abundance of data on the Spitfire is that there is a lot of misinformation. I spent a day volunteering with the Eastern Wing of the Society at Duxford on the weekend (lovely weather!) As usual, we had a steady stream of visitors asking questions, telling us about family members who flew during the war, sharing information & photos etc etc. There is always something new to be learned – and in turn, we try to educate and inform people about all aspects of the Spitfire – something we plan to continue doing.

I tend to agree with Moggie on this. It used to only allow-in folks with a direct connection to the Spitfire. That in itself was writing on the wall, as with the ageing member-base, it was obviously going to dwindle as they died-off. Sure enough, the membership was opened-up to all. Frankly, no one was every likely to forget the Spitfire, and, once the old-lags had gone, it’s whole original reason for existence went with them. I used to be a Member years ago. At that time, it had a lot of very interesting members. I tend to think it’s probably outlived it’s usefulness now.

It’s the loveliest of all aircraft, but the world is awash with Spitfire information now, there is little to be said or learned.

I phoned the estate agent handling the sale of Perranporth airfield this morning and was told by a spokesman that what looked like being a successful offer fell through last week . He said : ‘.. .we are back to the drawing board and will now start looking again for a buyer…’ . Looks as if this saga will run and run way into the future.

Yes there are, but we are being discreet for the moment.

Then adding your post to the very helpful PM I received I’ll leave it to lie at this stage.

My concern dates back to the dubious affair of the plastic Spitfires, and encompasses the tragedy at Perranporth.

Let’s hope it is soon resolved. Meanwhile there is little chance of the Society getting a donation from me.

Moggy

Is it? I would suggest that the Society has had little or no real relevance since the events following the farcical AGM held at Duxford last year, which quite a number of us posting here attended. As it continues this steady slide into oblivion, I have wonder who these days really cares any more.

Is it? I would suggest that the Society has had little or no real relevance since the events following the farcical AGM held at Duxford last year, which quite a number of us posting here attended. As it continues this steady slide into oblivion, I have wonder who these days really cares any more.

I believe that the membership of the Society DOES have great relevance as do the Aims and aspirations society. There are a few members that have worked with passion for over two years to try and get this society back into good shape. It would appear that the Charity Commission is, to quote Tangmere 1940 from some long time ago, “a paper tiger”. I suggest the Commission is strong on its Quango presentation but severely limited by statute, in reality.

To judge by the very recently published journal, the excellent Vice Chairman Chris Brice has been side stepped by the Exec. Committee who say that his vote at the EGM was held illegally, ignoring the fact THEIR positions must therefore also be in doubt as they too were voted in at the same time. They choose to ignore the fact that the Charity Commission stepped in and issued an Order ( following a member’s complaint) to ensure the legality of any voting that day by setting aside the requirements of the society Constitution for the occasion. The result was that the EGM became a Charity Commission meeting ABOUT and FOR the Spitfire Society.

What will happen next ? Will the Exec commence excluding Chairman Norman Parker as well ? They have tried to remove at least one outspoken member by a variety of methods, publicly defamed two other members at the AGM last May. And there’s much more besides.

To answer MOGGY directly when he asks about references and links ………Yes there are, but we are being discreet for the moment.

It’s mighty important…………

Is it? I would suggest that the Society has had little or no real relevance since the events following the farcical AGM held at Duxford last year, which quite a number of us posting here attended. As it continues this steady slide into oblivion, I have wonder who these days really cares any more.

Have you reference / links for all this.

It’s mighty important, but appears to be slipping ‘under the radar’

Thx

Moggy

And now the majority of the Spitfire Society management committee have chosen to overrule the Charities Commmissioners about who are in the management committee. Said majority does not include the Chairman, nor clearly the legally elected Vice Chairman who has been omitted from the “official” list of management in the latest issue of the Society Journal.

And what is the current status of the Spitfire Society? It would seem to have suffered some damage along the way, not to mention financial losses and the loss of most (all?) of its well esteemed patrons.

I think that the current status of the Spitfire Society is uncertain and mostly unknown (especially?) to its members. The Management Committee may have clues, although for some reason I doubt it.

All being stage managed by the same man, whether or not he makes a living at it, I really don’t know………we’re no longer communicating.

Baz

I’m delighted to learn that the truth is slowly seeping out and. Plus, I believe that a new prospectus was issued during the summer, mildly modified but largely the same. And now the sale has fallen through – has it? would be intersting to learn for certain!