Price range: £120.00 through £300.00
Hawker Hurricane Mk1 from No.85 Squadron, Royal Air Force Debden, August 1940, flown by the last surviving pilot who flew in the Battle of Britain, 1940, Group Captain John Hemingway DFC, The last of The Few.
The Hawker Hurricane was the mainstay of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Hurricane squadrons formed more than half the total RAF aircraft strength and Hurricane pilots were responsible for the lion’s share of claimed victories. More than 14000 were built and operated throughout the Second World War in every theatre of conflict, including operations from aircraft carriers and merchant ships.
The sleek, 8-gun Hurricane and the distinctive growl of its Rolls Royce Merlin engine were as familiar as the more famous and glamorous Supermarine Spitfire in 1940, but it is to the Hurricane that legend gives the accolade of “The aircraft that won the Battle of Britain”.
Michael Rondot’s dramatic painting captures the rugged lines of a Hawker Hurricane Mk1 from No.85 Squadron during August 1940 when it was commanded by Squadron Leader Peter Townsend CVO DSO DFC*. The Hurricane portrayed here is VY-X, as flown by Pilot Officer John “Paddy” Hemingway DFC, the last survivor of the Battle of Britain, aged 104 in August 2023 .
Signatures:
This dramatic limited edition print by Michael Rondot captures the Hawker Hurricane Mk1 in its finest hour. The painting features VY-X of No. 85 Squadron during the pivotal month of August 1940. Notably, Pilot Officer John “Paddy” Hemingway DFC flew this specific aircraft. Hemingway remained the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain until his passing in March 2025. This limited edition print serves as a permanent tribute to the “rugged lines” of the aircraft that won the battle. You can find more WW2 artwork in the Heritage Collection. In addition, you can explore the technical history of this aircraft on the RAF Museum Website.
While the Spitfire often claimed the headlines, the Hurricane formed the backbone of Fighter Command. Indeed, the Hurricane inflicted 60% of all Luftwaffe losses during the campaign. Sir Sydney Camm designed the aircraft to be tough, easy to repair, and highly stable as a gun platform. Specifically, its wide-track landing gear allowed it to operate from rough grass airfields. This limited edition print highlights the classic 8-gun configuration that decimated enemy bomber formations.
During August 1940, Squadron Leader Peter Townsend commanded No. 85 Squadron from RAF Debden. Notably, his unit fought in the thick of the action over the English Channel and the Thames Estuary. Pilot Officer Hemingway famously survived being shot down twice in a single week. Furthermore, the Hurricane’s conventional construction allowed ground crews to return damaged planes to the air within hours. This limited edition print reflects the intense operational tempo of “The Few” during that historic summer.
Michael Rondot utilizes his “pilot’s eye” to capture the technical accuracy and atmosphere of the cockpit. In fact, he personally signs every limited edition print to verify its authenticity. His work famously captures the “distinctive growl” of the Merlin engine on canvas. Notably, collectors often find that Rondot’s Hurricane prints sell out quickly on the secondary market. Finally, owning this print provides a direct link to the courage of the defenders of 1940. Therefore, shop our gallery now to secure your signed copy of this masterpiece.
| Dimensions | 70 × 50 cm |
|---|---|
| Print Type | Artists Proof, Remarque, Double Remarque, Canvas Print |
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