Spitfire? and Eurofighter over London right now?
Discussion
I work just off Bond Street, London, and suddenly heard a fighter jet flying overhead, poked my head out the window and there was what looked like a Spitfire, flown in formation with a Eurofighter cruising quite low over the London rooftops, rather impressive.
anyone know what that was in aid of? where have they just come from?
anyone know what that was in aid of? where have they just come from?
aha - that explains that then, i really wish they'd advertise these things a bit more(or maybe i just need to pay more attention).
4th Plinth is only 10 minute walk from work, could have run down there and had a look. Riding past later so will have a look then, at least i caught the fly off.
4th Plinth is only 10 minute walk from work, could have run down there and had a look. Riding past later so will have a look then, at least i caught the fly off.
More info:
said:
UK COMMEMORATES BATTLE OF BRITAIN COMMANDER
UNVEILING OF STATUE OF SIR KEITH PARK
ON FOURTH PLINTH IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON
TODAY AT 16:00HRS
• Unveiling ceremony to commence with a Royal Air Force flypast of a Spitfire and a Typhoon aircraft
• Speaking and unveiling party includes:-
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
Terry Smith, Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff
WWII RAF veterans
Members of the Park family
• VIP guests include actor Edward Fox, Battle of Britain historian Dr Stephen Bungay, Lord Tebbit, 16 RAF Veterans, many relatives of those that fought in the Battle of Britain and His Excellency Derek Leask, New Zealand High Commissioner
• Supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and its Fanfare Team and the Royal Air Force’s Queen’s Colour Squadron
• Unveiling will also commemorate the c.2950 pilots from 15 countries who fought to defend Britain in 1940 and served with Sir Keith Park
A statue of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, who led the Royal Air Force (RAF) forces over London and the South East of England throughout the Battle of Britain, will today be unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square at 16:00hrs.
The statue, presented by the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign and supported by London Mayor Boris Johnson, will be in place for six months and a permanent memorial statue of Park will then be unveiled in Waterloo Place on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain on 15 September 2010.
The unveiling ceremony will be attended by over 1,000 invited guests, alongside the General Public, including Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, Terry Smith, Chairman of the SKPMC, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff, WWII RAF veterans and members of Sir Keith Park’s family. Also in attendance will be supporters of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, including Edward Fox OBE, Dr Stephen Bungay, Flight Lieutenant John Nicol and many representatives and diplomats of the Commonwealth and other countries represented by members of ‘The Few’.
The ceremony will commence at 16:00hrs with a Royal Air Force flypast of a Spitfire and a Typhoon aircraft over Trafalgar Square and speeches will be made by Terry Smith, Boris Johnson and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.
A large screen in Trafalgar Square will be playing video footage of Sir Keith Park and RAF Films from noon and will then relay the ceremony through to the close of the event at approximately 16:30hrs.
Approximate running order:
15:45 Band of the Royal Air Force College, trumpeters and QCS Guard of Honour march on to Trafalgar Square
16:00 Formal unveiling ceremony commences with Spitfire and Typhoon aircraft flypast (weather permitting) with RAF salute
Welcome by Terry Smith, introductory film footage, and unveiling of the memorial statue
Speeches by Boris Johnson and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton
Prayer by Chaplain-in-Chief Reverend Air Vice-Marshal Ray Pentland
16:20 Film footage shown on the big screen (music: Nimrod and Spitfire Prelude)
16:30 National Anthem
Sir Keith Park commanded 11 Group of Fighter Command – responsible for the defence of London and the South East. He therefore commanded the squadrons which bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain. The failure of Nazi Germany to defeat the RAF in 1940 is seen as Hitler’s first major setback in the Second World War – and forced Germany to call off the planned invasion of Britain. This statue is a fitting memorial to Park as it will be erected in London’s Trafalgar Square, in the heart of the United Kingdom’s capital City which he helped to defend in 1940 and beneath Nelson’s Column – a memorial to another commander (this time Naval) who likewise defended Britain from invasion 135 years earlier.
Park was a New Zealander, who fought in the First World War in the field artillery first at Gallipoli, and then the Somme where he was wounded and evacuated to England. Medically graded unfit to continue service with the artillery, Park joined the Royal Flying Corps, remaining with the air arm when it was re-formed as the Royal Air Force.
Marshal of the RAF, Lord Tedder, said of Park: "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is recognised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world."
The statue of Sir Keith Park commemorates the c.2950 pilots from 15 countries who fought to defend Britain in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Today, there are just over 105 survivors. To the best of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign’s knowledge the nationality breakdown of “The Few” is as follows:-
Australia 33 Belgium 29
Canada 98 Czechoslovakia 88
France 13 Ireland 10
Jamaica 1 Newfoundland 1
New Zealand 126 Poland 145
the Rhodesias 3 South Africa 25
United Kingdom 2353 United States 11
Terry Smith, Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, said:
“It is an honour to be unveiling a statue of Sir Keith Park in Trafalgar Square today. Park was pivotal in organising the defence of our country and capital city during the Battle of Britain and was a key figure in ensuring the survival of our nation. A New Zealander, Park was one of many who came from Commonwealth nations and other countries to our aid at one of Britain’s most bleak times in history. As we reflect on the recent anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War, and the story of Sir Keith Park, we should remember the sacrifices made on our behalf by our own forces and by citizens from the Commonwealth and other countries in our ‘Finest Hour’.”
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, commented:
‘Sir Keith Park was a brave and exceptional fighter pilot, and outstanding senior officer, who never failed at any task he was given. He inspired all who worked with and for him, with his quiet gallantry, supreme personal inspiration, organisation and mental agility. He is a hero to the Royal Air Force, to this country, and to New Zealand, whose citizens have so often joined us in battle, from the World Wars through the Falklands to the present day.’
London Mayor Boris Johnson said it was an important moment:
"London owes an enormous debt to Sir Keith Park for his courage and leadership, which helped to win the Battle of Britain. Hosting a temporary memorial in Trafalgar Square in time for the 70th anniversary of this epic battle is a mark of our gratitude for the bravery and commitment this great hero showed to London and the world."
Edward Fox OBE said:
“Quality of leadership exists in varying capacities. In differing degrees it is possessed by many. The power of great leadership however belongs to only a few and was quintessentially decisive in determining the outcome against the enemy that Great Britain (which as a country was not well prepared) had to face in 1940.
“However gallant and courageous the nation’s forces unquestionably were, it was great leadership which galvanised that spirit and propelled it to victory against a formidable and better-armed enemy. Such men are rare. Such a man was Sir Keith Park.”
Planning permission was granted by Westminster City Council in May 2009 for a temporary statue of Park to be installed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. The six-month installation on the Fourth Plinth bridges a gap in the programme of contemporary artwork on the Plinth. Yinka Shonibare's ‘Ship in a Bottle’ will be installed in 2010, sometime after early May.
UNVEILING OF STATUE OF SIR KEITH PARK
ON FOURTH PLINTH IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON
TODAY AT 16:00HRS
• Unveiling ceremony to commence with a Royal Air Force flypast of a Spitfire and a Typhoon aircraft
• Speaking and unveiling party includes:-
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
Terry Smith, Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff
WWII RAF veterans
Members of the Park family
• VIP guests include actor Edward Fox, Battle of Britain historian Dr Stephen Bungay, Lord Tebbit, 16 RAF Veterans, many relatives of those that fought in the Battle of Britain and His Excellency Derek Leask, New Zealand High Commissioner
• Supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and its Fanfare Team and the Royal Air Force’s Queen’s Colour Squadron
• Unveiling will also commemorate the c.2950 pilots from 15 countries who fought to defend Britain in 1940 and served with Sir Keith Park
A statue of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, who led the Royal Air Force (RAF) forces over London and the South East of England throughout the Battle of Britain, will today be unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square at 16:00hrs.
The statue, presented by the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign and supported by London Mayor Boris Johnson, will be in place for six months and a permanent memorial statue of Park will then be unveiled in Waterloo Place on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain on 15 September 2010.
The unveiling ceremony will be attended by over 1,000 invited guests, alongside the General Public, including Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, Terry Smith, Chairman of the SKPMC, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff, WWII RAF veterans and members of Sir Keith Park’s family. Also in attendance will be supporters of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, including Edward Fox OBE, Dr Stephen Bungay, Flight Lieutenant John Nicol and many representatives and diplomats of the Commonwealth and other countries represented by members of ‘The Few’.
The ceremony will commence at 16:00hrs with a Royal Air Force flypast of a Spitfire and a Typhoon aircraft over Trafalgar Square and speeches will be made by Terry Smith, Boris Johnson and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.
A large screen in Trafalgar Square will be playing video footage of Sir Keith Park and RAF Films from noon and will then relay the ceremony through to the close of the event at approximately 16:30hrs.
Approximate running order:
15:45 Band of the Royal Air Force College, trumpeters and QCS Guard of Honour march on to Trafalgar Square
16:00 Formal unveiling ceremony commences with Spitfire and Typhoon aircraft flypast (weather permitting) with RAF salute
Welcome by Terry Smith, introductory film footage, and unveiling of the memorial statue
Speeches by Boris Johnson and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton
Prayer by Chaplain-in-Chief Reverend Air Vice-Marshal Ray Pentland
16:20 Film footage shown on the big screen (music: Nimrod and Spitfire Prelude)
16:30 National Anthem
Sir Keith Park commanded 11 Group of Fighter Command – responsible for the defence of London and the South East. He therefore commanded the squadrons which bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain. The failure of Nazi Germany to defeat the RAF in 1940 is seen as Hitler’s first major setback in the Second World War – and forced Germany to call off the planned invasion of Britain. This statue is a fitting memorial to Park as it will be erected in London’s Trafalgar Square, in the heart of the United Kingdom’s capital City which he helped to defend in 1940 and beneath Nelson’s Column – a memorial to another commander (this time Naval) who likewise defended Britain from invasion 135 years earlier.
Park was a New Zealander, who fought in the First World War in the field artillery first at Gallipoli, and then the Somme where he was wounded and evacuated to England. Medically graded unfit to continue service with the artillery, Park joined the Royal Flying Corps, remaining with the air arm when it was re-formed as the Royal Air Force.
Marshal of the RAF, Lord Tedder, said of Park: "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don’t believe it is recognised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world."
The statue of Sir Keith Park commemorates the c.2950 pilots from 15 countries who fought to defend Britain in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Today, there are just over 105 survivors. To the best of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign’s knowledge the nationality breakdown of “The Few” is as follows:-
Australia 33 Belgium 29
Canada 98 Czechoslovakia 88
France 13 Ireland 10
Jamaica 1 Newfoundland 1
New Zealand 126 Poland 145
the Rhodesias 3 South Africa 25
United Kingdom 2353 United States 11
Terry Smith, Chairman of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign, said:
“It is an honour to be unveiling a statue of Sir Keith Park in Trafalgar Square today. Park was pivotal in organising the defence of our country and capital city during the Battle of Britain and was a key figure in ensuring the survival of our nation. A New Zealander, Park was one of many who came from Commonwealth nations and other countries to our aid at one of Britain’s most bleak times in history. As we reflect on the recent anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War, and the story of Sir Keith Park, we should remember the sacrifices made on our behalf by our own forces and by citizens from the Commonwealth and other countries in our ‘Finest Hour’.”
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, commented:
‘Sir Keith Park was a brave and exceptional fighter pilot, and outstanding senior officer, who never failed at any task he was given. He inspired all who worked with and for him, with his quiet gallantry, supreme personal inspiration, organisation and mental agility. He is a hero to the Royal Air Force, to this country, and to New Zealand, whose citizens have so often joined us in battle, from the World Wars through the Falklands to the present day.’
London Mayor Boris Johnson said it was an important moment:
"London owes an enormous debt to Sir Keith Park for his courage and leadership, which helped to win the Battle of Britain. Hosting a temporary memorial in Trafalgar Square in time for the 70th anniversary of this epic battle is a mark of our gratitude for the bravery and commitment this great hero showed to London and the world."
Edward Fox OBE said:
“Quality of leadership exists in varying capacities. In differing degrees it is possessed by many. The power of great leadership however belongs to only a few and was quintessentially decisive in determining the outcome against the enemy that Great Britain (which as a country was not well prepared) had to face in 1940.
“However gallant and courageous the nation’s forces unquestionably were, it was great leadership which galvanised that spirit and propelled it to victory against a formidable and better-armed enemy. Such men are rare. Such a man was Sir Keith Park.”
Planning permission was granted by Westminster City Council in May 2009 for a temporary statue of Park to be installed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. The six-month installation on the Fourth Plinth bridges a gap in the programme of contemporary artwork on the Plinth. Yinka Shonibare's ‘Ship in a Bottle’ will be installed in 2010, sometime after early May.
spitfire-ian said:
There's a statue of Sir Keith Park being unveiled on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square and it's a flypast for that.
Thank god common sense has prevailed; pity we had to endure the loonies.Regrettably, only about 0.1% of the population will know who Sir Keith Park was. Actually I'm surprised Dowding didn't get it - but maybe there's a statue of him already?
Evidently there wasa bit of a rethnk since this was written: http://thelambethwalk.blogspot.com/2009/05/statue-...
Also see statue at www.sirkeithpark.com/media/SKPJuneNewsletter2009.p...
Also see statue at www.sirkeithpark.com/media/SKPJuneNewsletter2009.p...
)Simpo Two said:
Evidently there wasa bit of a rethnk since this was written: http://thelambethwalk.blogspot.com/2009/05/statue-...
Also see statue at www.sirkeithpark.com/media/SKPJuneNewsletter2009.p...
Not really - they're only putting the statue up for six months with a permanent bronze one eventually being installed on Waterloo Place. Once the six months are up it's back to "contemporary art".Also see statue at www.sirkeithpark.com/media/SKPJuneNewsletter2009.p...
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff