“Patrolling Dover Shores”

This original sculpture depicts the lethal beauty of the Spitfire Mk.VB on a sortie over the English Channel area of Dover during the spring of 1943. Rarely alone in combat, Jeff chose to portray a single aircraft so as not to detract from the classic elegance of the Spitfire design. The elliptical planform of the Spitfire wing surfaces is visually balanced and mirrored in the environmental and base elements of the sculpture.

Beautifully detailed and accurately rendered from original Vickers-Armstrong and Supermarine drawings, Jeff captures the Spitfire Mk.VB in graceful flight over the recognizable coast of Dover. The Dover cliffs element of the sculpture is faithfully recreated from mapping and aerial photography of the area to add a level of authenticity that enthusiasts and collectors will appreciate.

This sculpture is reproduced using the “lost wax” casting process creating a durable and unique form of aviation art not common today. Patina colours are selected by the artist to enhance the environmental setting of this piece and bring out the wonderful detail in the Spitfire.

Bronze metal, chemical patina application, black walnut base. Each piece is hand signed by the artist and is packed in a fine presentation box with protective lining for secure and easy shipment.

Edition:

10 Artist Proofs

200 Regular Edition

Contact us for availability and pricing.

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Note: We are currently taking reservations on this Spitfire Limited Edition. Please enquire on availability.

The artist will provide custom painting of insignia and individual aircraft markings to client specifications for the 10 available Artist Proofs. Artist Proofs with custom hand painting are available direct from the artist or can be arranged through your nearest gallery representative.

Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VB

Most aviation historians will agree that without the modest numbers of Spitfires in service with British Fighter Command during the summer of 1940, the Battle of Britain may have been lost to Germany. The Spitfire in its various forms and configurations is without question one of the most recognizable World War Two fighter aircraft and an endearing national symbol of pride in Britain.

The Spitfire prototype, Type 300 first flew in June of 1936, a full 4 years before it was needed most during the aerial battles in Britain’s “finest hour”. Vickers, acquiring Supermarine Aircraft in the late 1920’s, was poised to produce an entirely new breed of all metal fighting aircraft and at a time when wood and fabric remained common construction materials. The man behind the Spitfire design was the prolific aircraft designer R.J. Mitchell. Building upon the successes of previous Supermarine racing aircraft, Mitchell set about to produce what may be regarded as the most elegant, piston powered fighter aircraft of all time. The classic elliptical wing planform of a Spitfire remains iconic to this day.

Coupling his new airframe with an early production Rolls Royce Merlin V-12 engine was the perfect marriage of hand built beauty and raw power, form and function at its very best. The Spitfire would equal and then best its rivals in many respects. Although limited in range for long distance sorties, design changes in later Mk’s adapted the fighter for use in all theatres of operations. Interestingly, in 1944 a Spitfire Mk XIV claimed the first victory of a piston fighter aircraft over a jet fighter, downing a German Me-262, an aircraft with a 160 kph airspeed advantage.

In total 20,351 Spitfires in 24 variants (Mk’s) and an additional 2,408 of the naval Seafire aircraft were produced from 1936 to the end of production in 1949. The Mk V series, with the larger Merlin 45 of 1,445 hp, became the most produced Spitfire with 6,464 examples (3,923 Mk VB’s). Mk VB’s are distinguishable as the first model to have protruding 20 mm cannon barrels, replacing 4 of the Browning .303 machine guns in the wings. Many consider the Spitfire VB the most classic of the Spitfire variants.

Commonwealth and other nations retained the Spitfire as a frontline fighter into the mid 1950’s with some limited operational use occurring after 1960.

Sadly, after the war Spitfires did not survive in large numbers. This aircraft remains today a relatively rare breed of flying history although remarkable work in the warbird restoration community is returning forgotten and recovered bits and pieces of various airframes to the air once again. Thanks to these tireless efforts, there seems to be a very bright future for the Spitfire as a flying legend of aviation history.

Background photo by Neil Jury