The plane! The plane!
No, Chemainus hasnB次元官网网址檛 become a new place on the radar for Fantasy Island. Nor is it the home of an airport landing strip along the Trans Canada Highway outside the Antique Barn.
But there is a plane there, permanently stationed as an artifact or until Antique Barn owner Kevin Smith sells it.
Heads have been turning along the highway at Henry Road since Smith brought his recently-acquired CT-133 fighter jet to his business location about a month ago.
B次元官网网址淥ne of my dealers said, B次元官网网址榟ey, I found a jet for you,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t was in my mind it was mine already.
B次元官网网址淚t was purchased from a private collector in Comox. WeB次元官网网址檙e going to start putting it back to its original silver and red colour.B次元官网网址�
Smith also has a model of the plane hanging from the rafters inside the Antique Barn at 3088 Henry Rd. to use as a guide except the orange on the model will be red on the real thing.
Smith not only bought the plane at considerable expense, but it was also quite an undertaking and costly exercise to bring it to Chemainus. Two 40-foot semis were required to transport the plane by a towing company, with the plane detaching into four components.
B次元官网网址淭hey said they got more honks than ever (on the highway),B次元官网网址� Smith laughed.
He considers it a good investment, with the plane otherwise headed to the scrap heap.
B次元官网网址淚t was pretty much off to the States to be taken apart,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淎s soon as I came along, he (the owner) was happy to sell it to me and keep it in Canada. I consider it a piece of history. WeB次元官网网址檙e preserving history for you. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檙e all about at the Antique Barn.B次元官网网址�
If someone else decides they absolutely must have it, Smith said heB次元官网网址檇 part with it for about $60,000, price negotiable. B次元官网网址淓verythingB次元官网网址檚 for sale,B次元官网网址� he declared.
Smith added the plane was built in 1956 and decommissioned in 2002.
B次元官网网址淚t flew all over Canada,B次元官网网址� he pointed out. B次元官网网址淣ever used in combat, only a trainer.B次元官网网址�
The plane has become a tourist attraction in its short time at the Antique Barn, with people stopping by to take pictures alongside it. A stairway has been added for a closer look, but Smith said itB次元官网网址檚 not for people to climb onto the plane as some have attempted to do.
Never one to pass up a unique deal, Smith also has latched onto a model of the HMCS Rainbow, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first Pacific cruiser, from the Maritime Museum of B.C. in Victoria.
B次元官网网址淚t was saved twice from being scrapped,B次元官网网址� said Smith.
HeB次元官网网址檚 the third to save it after getting it from a private museum in Ladysmith.
B次元官网网址淗e wanted to make sure it went to a good home,B次元官网网址� Smith noted. B次元官网网址淚t took 10 of us to lift it up. ItB次元官网网址檚 very heavy.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 now very prominently displayed inside the Antique Barn.
The original ship was built in England in 1895 and sold to Canada to become part of the navy fleet in 1910.
The model also has a price tag for the serious collector who wants to take it off SmithB次元官网网址檚 hands: $10,000.
The Antique Barn is also hosting community flea markets Sundays throughout July and August from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great opportunity for people who live in a strata who canB次元官网网址檛 have a garage sale or live in apartments,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great for people who donB次元官网网址檛 want to do the work of a garage sale to sell stuff.B次元官网网址�
Spaces can be reserved by calling 250-246-2372.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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