Now Open, The Battle Of Britain Art Exhibition
13 May 2010
The Battle of Britain was a seminal event for the history of the United Kingdom and, indeed, of the world. Had it not been won, the second half of the twentieth century would have been very different to the period through which we have just passed.
The Royal Air Force Museum commemorates the Battle every ten years with new displays in the Battle of Britain Hall which is devoted particularly to that brief period in 1940.
Though the number of new exhibits that enter the Museum's collection which bear direct relevance to the Battle becomes smaller and smaller as the years pass, the complexities of the conflict and the differences in historical interpretation that have emerged over the decades always allow a fresh and interesting view to be taken of it.
Though there is naturally an emphasis on the aircraft - Hurricanes, Spitfires, Heinkels and Stukas - that took part in the fighting, it is always essential to remember that none of these machines could do anything without the heroic efforts of their groundcrews and pilots.
This year the Museum will mount a special Battle of Britain art exhibition featuring contemporary representations of the fighting in the air alongside a number of portraits of the participants.
This exhibition is located in the Hall's Mezzannine Area and forms part of the Hall's newly refurbished exhibition. These elements include:
• Unseen footage from the 1968 film ‘The Battle of Britain’.
• New large print panels, for the visually impaired, giving added insight into history, key personalities and Battle of Britain operations.
• A 5m high statue honouring Sir Keith Park whose command of Royal Air Force 11 Group Fighter Command was integral to RAF’s success in the Battle.
• A remastered Our Finest Hour, the Museum’s sound and light show, which explains the Battle.
We should always remember that Churchill's famous tribute to The Few was directed at the people of the Service not the aircraft.
