BATTLE OF BRITAIN SIGNING EVENT WITH RICHARD TAYLOR – 14th FEBRUARY
The Battle of Britain changed the course of the war in Europe as Churchill's famous 'FEW' - the valiant young men of RAF Fighter Command - valiantly defended the nation from the might of Hitler’s war machine during the summer of 1940.
The number of veterans who took part in this epic battle has sadly dwindled, however we are delighted to be joined at the UK Gallery by some of these legendary men. Our guests include:
Wing Commander TIM ELKINGTON - commissioned on 14 July 1940 he joined 1 Sqn the following day flying Hurricanes. He scored a victory over a Bf109 on 15 August but was shot down the next day and hospitalised. Afer recovering he had spells with 601 and 134 Sqns flying Hurricanes in Russia. He later served with the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit and a Turbinlite Flight before being posted to 197 Sqn on Typhoons. In 1943 he joined 67 Sqn and was posted to India.
Flying Officer KEN WILKINSON - called up in September 1939, he flew Spitfires throughout the Battle of Britain, first with 611 Sqn then 616 Sqn at Kirton-in-Lindsey and finally with 19 Sqn at Fowlmere as part of the Duxford Big Wing. After a spell instructing he returned to operations, again on Spitfires, this time with 234 and 156 Sqns and finished the war with 53, 24 and 10 OTUs.
Flying Officer RALPH WILD - joining the RAF in 1938 he served as a Fitter during the Battle of Britain at RAF North Weald which was home to Hurricanes of 56 and 151 Sqns. He then joined aircrew and qualified as a Navigator, completing a full tour of 30 Ops with 10 Sqn on Halifax bombers.
We are also thrilled to announce that one of the world’s leading military and aviation artists will be joining us:
Aviation Artist RICHARD TAYLOR - It’s hardly surprising that Richard became a professional artist. His father is Robert Taylor, regarded as the finest aviation and maritime painter of his generation. For the past few years, however, Richard has been quietly carving out his own niche in the world of aviation and military art and is seen as one of the industry’s most exciting artists.
Our guests are happy to sign items for customers and entry is FREE but STRICTLY by ticket only and we are currently taking bookings so please contact us now to reserve your place.
