I have received news yesterday that the Royal British Legion has decided to close their Spitfire replica project. The stated reason is insufficient return on the Spitfire’s use for charity purposes. The aircraft itself is to be sold.
The Royal British Legion, sometimes referred to as RBL, is UK’s leading charity providing support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their families. RBL acquired a replica Spitfire in order to tour the country raising money for the Legion. The idea was to transport the aircraft to various events with people paying to have their photographs taken in the cockpit.
The purpose-built replica Spitfire W3850 was built by a volunteer group from RBL Ripon Branch and took two years to complete. Produced from original blueprints, is a 90% aluminium representation of the Spitfire Mk. V, minus the engine.
The RBL’s management support for the Spitfire has been dwindling for quite some time, and two reviews of the project have been made in the course of this year. It was found that “recruiting and fundraising achievements have been minimal”. Somewhat controversially, it is also said that there is “no evidence of its having raised awareness of the Legion and its work” and that:
The opponents claim that even considering the problems of recession in 2009, the project made a modest profit of just under £5,000 for the RBL even if a large number of events had had to be cancelled.
See also our photo gallery of the RBL’s Spitfire.
I understand the Spitfire is to be auctioned off in Sept. 2010,this
is a big let down for the people that built it and the people that
gave expensive cockpit items for very little money to the project.RBL we will not forget you !!
Steve James