Description
This symbolic piece portrays Group Captain Peter Townsend, Commanding Officer of 85 Squadron, during the long, hot summer of 1940. Fresh from the heat of battle over London and the Thames, he wearily turns his Hurricane towards home to refuel, re-arm and rejoin the fight.
Of all air combat paintings this one, in particular, resonates with those who love the immortal Hawker Hurricane and the legendary pilots who flew them. During the Battle of Britain they accounted for no less than four out of every five enemy aircraft destroyed, and one of the greatest exponents of the Hurricane was Peter Townsend, probably the finest and most respected fighter leader to serve with RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain.
THE SIGNATURE
In addition to the artist, each print in this edition has been individually signed by:
Group Captain PETER TOWNSEND CVO DSO DFC*
Joining the RAF in 1933, Townsend was flying Hurricanes with 43 Squadron when, on February 3rd 1940, he shared in the destruction of a He111; it was the first enemy aircraft to fall on English soil during WWII. It was the first of many victories for this legendary Hurricane pilot who became one of the most inspirational fighter leaders of the Battle of Britain. He commanded 85 Squadron, converting the unit to night-fighter operations, before leading Spitfires of 611 Squadron and night-fighter unit 605 Squadron. Scoring 10 victories in WWII, he became Equerry to King George VI in 1944 for nine years, before holding subsequent positions for the Royal Family.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.