The RAF Pilot - Capel-le-Ferne, Kent, UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Master Mariner
N 51° 05.910 E 001° 12.361
31U E 374388 N 5662309
The centrepiece of the Battle of Britain Memorial, at Capel-le-Ferne in Kent, is an RAF pilot, sat in contemplation, at the centre of a three bladed propeller.
Waymark Code: WMR2CH
Location: South East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/02/2016
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member Mark1962
Views: 5

The sculpture is roughly four times life-size and is cut from stone. It shows an RAF pilot seated on the ground with his hands on top of each other in front of his knees. He is wearing a fleece flying jacket and flying boots.

The Hows website tells us about the figure:

The design of the centre piece of the memorial was that of Harry Gray of The Carving Workshop, Cambridge. It was chosen from a shortlist of three designs by the trustees, its more modern approach of a lone pilot in contemplative mood was felt to be more appropriate to the memory of those who lost their lives in the Battle. Beneath the figure are the Squadron Crests of those squadrons who flew in the Battle of Britain, many no longer in existence. The site also has the flagpole from Biggin Hill R.A.F. base (which played a major part in the air defence of Britain), which was kindly donated by Savas Constantinides.

This is an area set aside to honour the pilots that flew in the "Battle of Britain" from 10th July to 31st October 1940. There is a memorial wall that lists those brave airmen that gave their lives in the battle. There is a sculpture of a pilot, a spitfire and hurricane aircraft and a sculpture of the squadron's dog - aptly named Bob. There is a visitor centre that is open during the summer months and a car park that gives flat access to the area. From the air the memorial spreads out like the propeller blades of an aircraft.

Wikipedia has an article about the Battle of Britain Memorial that tells us:

The Battle of Britain Memorial is a monument to aircrew who flew in the Battle of Britain. It is sited on the White Cliffs at Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, on the coast of Kent.

It was initiated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, and opened by the Queen Mother on 9 July 1993. It is formed of a large propeller-shaped base, with the figure of a seated pilot carved by Harry Gray sitting at the centre. The propeller shape has lead the monument to be considered a hill figure.

Also on the site are replicas of a Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire and the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall, on which appears the names of the almost 3,000 fighter aircrew who flew in the Battle.

In October 2010 HRH The Duchess of Cornwall unveiled a bust of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park by sculptor Will Davies at the site.

The Trust is currently raising money to build a new visitor centre. It will take the shape of a Spitfire wing and will be called The Wing.

Sector of the workforce: RAF Pilot

Created or Donated by which group: Sculptor: Harry Gray

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