DEFENCE OF THE REALM

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.