Tom Jackson was a former pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force and served as a pilot of the Spitfire. Tom had been based at Victoria Air Maintenance in Sidney, B.C.

Thanks Tom, you were one of a kind and will be missed.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there. I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through foothalls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space Put out my and, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Jr .

" On June 3, 1998, about 1045 hours Pacific daylight time, a Vickers Supermarine MK XVI, N382RW, was destroyed after colliding with mountainous terrain near Blue Canyon, California. The pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. The personal flight originated at Chico, California, about 1017, and was destined for Minden, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure point and destination, and no flight plan was filed. A California Highway Patrol helicopter located the wreckage on June 4, 1998, about 1415. The purpose of the flight was to reposition the aircraft after an airshow. The distance of the flight was about 125 miles over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At 0754, the pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing for a VFR flight from Chico to Minden. He asked for actual and forecast weather. He stated that it should take about 30 minutes en route at 1,500 feet agl. The briefer initially reported mountain obscurations for the route. He further stated "that Blue Canyon was now (0758) showing a few clouds at 2,800 feet and it looked as though they have improved." At 0952, the Blue Canyon Metar was reporting: wind variable at 3 knots; visibility 5 miles; mist; ceiling 400 broken; 4,000 overcast; temperature 44 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 32 degrees Fahrenheit; and the altimeter was 29.98 inHg. Witnesses reported that portions of the mountainous terrain were obscured in clouds and fog. The pilot was cleared for takeoff at 1017, followed by a low pass over the airport. A pilot witness in the town of Washington recognized the vintage warbird, and stated that the aircraft passed over the town about 400 feet agl at low cruise power and the weather was good. The wreckage was located the next day about 5 miles north of Blue Canyon about 5,500 feet msl. "

NTSB Identification
http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/AccList.asp?month=6&year=1998

Built at Castle Bromwich in 1945. To 6 MU on July 20th. To 604 Sqn on April 1st 1947, then retired to 33 MU on April 14th 1950. To No 3 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit on June 11th 1951, then to Control and Reporting School, Middle Wallop on October 17th. To 45 MU on July 14th 1953, then to 29 MU. Allocated to 609 Sqn as 7245M on November 28th 1955, then gate guardian at Leconfield 1959-73. Used in 'The Battle of Britain' film in 1968. To Uxbridge as gate guardian on April 4th 1973 as 8075M. Allocated to Tim Routsis on August 26th 1988 of Historic Flying Ltd, sold in 1989 to David Tallichet of Military Aircraft Restoration Corp, Chino, California. Registered to Historic Flying as G-XVIA on July 2nd 1991 and restored to airworthiness for Tallichet, first flying on July 3rd 1991. Remained at Audley End until Spring 1995 then transported to California for new owner Bernie Jackson. Registered NX382RW. Destroyed in fatal crash on 3rd June 1998. "

http://home.clara.net/dak2/spitfire.htm "

The Spitfire, most often remembered for its role in the "Battle of Britain," entered the British service during the dark early days of WWII. With its elegant lines, remarkable performance and by its very name, it became the symbol of the nation’s defense. It has superb maneuverability, excellent handling quality and is described by pilots who flew it as "aeroplane par excellence, aeroplane of one’s dream." The Spitfire was originally designed as a lightweight, short-range defensive interceptor, and it remained as the RAF’s main front-line fighter throughout the war.

Victoria Air Maintenance LTD
9550 Canora Road
Sidney, BC Canada V8L 4R1
(250) 656-7600 fax: (250) 656-1533
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