Bidspirit auction | World War Two Pilots –

World War Two Pilots – Veterans’ Autographs on a WW2 Era Hurricane Propeller Blade! 150cm length x 26cm widest point. The Hawker Hurricane Fighter Aircraft Inflicted 60% of the Losses Sustained by the Luftwaffe in The Battle of Britain. The propeller blade was bought from Aces High Art Gallery around 1990 and was left there to be autographed by many World War Two veterans — including Vera Lynn, Battle of Britain pilots, 303 Polish Squadron pilots, and even several German pilots. Below is background information on some of the veterans who autographed the blade. ACES HIGH – Battle of Britain Signing Event (Sunday 9th June) Wing Commander TOM NEIL DFC*, AFC Flew Hurricanes with 249 Squadron during the Battle of Britain with great success. Later flew off HMS Ark Royal during the Malta campaign, and later commanded 41 Squadron. Joined the USAAF 9th Air Force as a Flying Liaison Officer with the 100th Fighter Wing, then became a Test Pilot. Finished the war with 12 victories and 4 shared. Wing Commander BOB FOSTER DFC Joined 605 Squadron, flying Hurricanes throughout the Battle of Britain. In 1942 he moved to Australia with 54 Squadron, the first RAF unit to assist in the defence of the country, flying Spitfires from Darwin and scoring the Wing’s first victory. Finished the war an ace with 7 confirmed victories and 3 probable's. Corporal ALEC GRAY Graduated from RAF Uxbridge in 1940 as an Aircraft Airframe Fitter, serving until 1946. Served on ground crew with 19 Squadron at Duxford and Fowlmere — two of the busiest stations during the Battle of Britain — working under the Big Wing with Douglas Bader and George Unwin. Flying Officer KEN WILKINSON Called up in September 1939. Flew Spitfires with 611, 616 and 19 Squadrons throughout the Battle of Britain. Later returned to operations with 234 and 165 Squadrons. Section Officer JOAN FANSHAWE (WAAF Plotter) Worked in the Ops Room at RAF Uxbridge, one of only ten Special Duty WAAFs working shifts plotting aircraft movements during the Battle of Britain. Battle of Britain Event – Duxford (18th May) Flight Lieutenant RICHARD JONES Posted to 64 Squadron, flying Spitfires during the Battle. Later moved to 19 Squadron at Fowlmere. Flight Lieutenant ROBIN APPLEFORD One of the youngest Battle of Britain pilots. Flew Spitfires with 66 Squadron from Duxford. Later flew Hurricanes in North Africa with 274 Squadron. Flight Sergeant JOHN “BUGS” KEATINGS Air Gunner on Blenheims and Beaufighters with 219 Squadron. Became a Senior Armament Instructor, released as a Warrant Officer in 1945. Wing Commander TERENCE KANE Joined the RAF in 1938. Flew Spitfires with 234 Squadron during the Battle, claiming two victories. Shot down and bailed out into the sea, spending the rest of the war as a PoW. Squadron Leader MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT Flew Blenheims and then Spitfires with 64 Squadron throughout the Battle. Shot down over France and later became an instructor, finishing the war on Dakotas in Africa. ACES HIGH Gallery Event — 26th April Squadron Leader PETER BROWN AFC Joined 611 Squadron in 1939. Later flew Spitfires with 41 Squadron during the Battle, scoring four victories. Became an instructor in 1942. Wing Commander GEORGE SWANWICK Originally an Air Gunner before pilot training. Joined 54 Squadron on Spitfires during the Battle. Later served with 41, 222, 603 and 81 Squadrons, including Malta. Squadron Leader MICK MAGUIRE Joined Hornchurch in 1940 as Chief Armourer during the Battle. Battle of Britain Signing Event — Sunday 10th March Wing Commander BOB FOSTER DFC (Description repeated.) Flight Lieutenant LEONARD DAVIES Joined 151 Squadron at North Weald in July 1940 flying Hurricanes. Wounded in combat over the Thames Estuary. Later served in Malta and the Middle East. Squadron Leader NIGEL ROSE Joined 602 Squadron in 1940, flying Spitfires in the Battle and scoring three victories. Later served with 54 Squadron and became an instructor. Corporal ALEC GRAY (Description repeated.) Flight Lieutenant TERRY CLARK DFM AE Joined 219 Squadron as WOp/AG flying Blenheims and Beaufighters. Awarded the DFM for assisting in downing three enemy aircraft at night. Later became a Radar/Navigator on Mosquitos, finishing with six victories. Flying Officer RALPH WILD Joined RAF in 1938 as an Aircraft Fitter at North Weald during the Battle. Later retrained as aircrew (Navigator) on Halifax bombers, completing 30 operations. Flying Officer KEN WILKINSON (Repeated description.) Squadron Leader TONY PICKERING Flew Hurricanes with 32 and 501 Squadrons. Shot down on 11 September 1940. Later flew with 601 and 131 Squadrons, finishing the war in the Middle East. Polish Aviation Artist and WWII Polish Aircrew Event — 21st September Flight Lieutenant STANISLAW NAWARSKI DFC KM Served with French Air Force on Hurricanes during the Battle of France. Joined 302 Polish Squadron, flying Spitfires before and after D-Day.