One of the main attractions at the Battle of Britain Memorial is our magnificent MK1 Supermarine Spitfire, one of the aircraft in which the RAF aircrew known as 'The Few' served. Until recently it sat alongside a Hawker Hurricane Mk I, the other iconic fighter from the second world war.
In November 2023, Storm Ciaran left its mark on the exposed clifftop home of the Battle of Britain Memorial. This popular tribute to the few suffered a fair bit of damage, but most crucially, our replica Spitfire took a battering.
The replica was blown off its wheels by strong winds that carved their way through the home of the Memorial, leaving the Spitfire sitting sadly on a buckled undercarriage.
It was immediately clear how much the Spitfire meant to so many people. We were overwhelmed by offers of support back in November, and as the Trust is a charity that receives no public funding, this was wonderful to see.
However, until we had finished our discussions with our insurers and the restorers, we were not able to accept those offers. Those discussions have now been completed, and while our insurance will fund the cost of restoration, the Trust has chosen a more appropriate long-term option.
The Spitfire replica has been on the site since 2004, which means it has endured the coastal weather conditions at Capel-le-Ferne for 20 wet, windy and salty years. Restoration would extend its life for a few years, but the sensible, long-term solution is to replace the replica, giving it a much longer life and bringing pleasure to many thousands more visitors.
There is, of course, a difference in the cost of repairing and of replacing the aircraft, and so the Trust is looking to raise £20,000 to meet that difference and underwrite other costs, including installing it here at Capel-le-Ferne. As a charity with no public funding, we are looking to you, our generous supporters, to help us meet the funding shortfall and once again showcase both these historic aircraft.
We are aware that while Crowdfunder is an excellent platform, not everyone is comfortable with making donations online. For those people, we are both happy and grateful to accept cheques made payable to The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust CIO. They should be sent to The Secretary, c/o PO Box 337, West Malling, Kent ME6 9AA.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust does not receive any public funding. Any additional money beyond the costs of returning a Spitfire to the site would be used to support the Trust's ongoing aim of Remembering the Few.