In the Studio
"Sod Off!" Project © Troy White, 2010.
In May of 2010 I realized that this year was the 70th Anniversary of the battle of Britain. Also in May my wife and I received a literary care package from the USA containing books in English. One of those books was entitled "The Few" and was about the Battle of Britain. I was well aware of the legendary history surrounding the Battle of Britain (which took place between July 10 and October 31 1940) but after reading "The Few" I was nevertheless in awe at what was at stake that July. In just a few short months Hitler had conquered Europe and all that stood between him and total Nazi domination of the free world were 1,450 young pilots.
Since I had never painted a Battle of Britain subject, I figured the 70th Anniversary was as good a time as any to do so. The iconography of a Spitfire versus Messerschmitt could not be passed up so I set about coming up with a composition that I liked. I decided I wanted to portray an event that took place between August 13 and September 15th which was the most critical phase of the battle. Since time was of the essence if the painting was to be completed before the date depicted I decided to start it and find the history that matched my composition later.
By the end of May 2010, I had a composition I liked that was fully rotational. Here is a later sketch showing the main elements with the Spitfire's vanishing point.
During the Summer of 1940 the English people looked aloft to see a unique phenomenon. Condensation trails from high flying aircraft crisscrossed and swirled in the skies making patterns delineating the battle. This symbolic image of the titanic struggle is what I wanted to use for my backdrop.
By the time I started painting the fuselage of the Spitfire I had decided on a pilot. Sgt. Ronald F. Hamyln of 610 Squadron. 610 Squadron was part of 11 Group which operated from English bases closest to the English Channel and was the first line of defense against incoming Nazi raiders. 11 Group was commanded by the iconic Keith Park. Park was a New Zealander who, along with Chief Air Marshal Dowding was credited with winning the Battle of Britain. Ronnie Hamylin, aka The Pied Piper of Harrogate was the first RAF pilot to become an ace-in-a-day when he downed a Ju 88 and four Bf 109's in three sorties on 24 August 1940. For this feat his was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Ronnie survived the war and rose to the rank of Wing Commander. His assigned aircraft for all of his Battle of Britain victories after 24 August was Spitfire R6891 DW-Q. Research data regarding Sgt. Hamyln, his victories and his aircraft has kindly been provided by Michael Lewis of the 610 Squadron website, Hamyln's nephew Jonathan Tuckwell and Frank Olynyk.
Alas Ronnie Hamyln's combat reports for 24 August did not match my composition but his combat report for 30 August did. With the help of noted Luftwaffe historian Lynn Ritger I learned the identity and fate of the Messerschmitt pilot in my painting. I recommend a visit to Lynn's website The 109 Lair. The German pilot was Ofw. Karl-Heinz Harbauer of 4. Staffel, II./JG 2. He overshot Hamyln who in turn shot him down in flames. Ofw. Harbauer bailed out but was killed when his parachute failed to open. The wreckage of his Bf 109E, WNr. 2675 White 1 was salvaged during the battle but recently some additional fragments of the wreckage have been recovered.
Here is the painting on July 16, 2010 as it nears completion. I have decided to title it "Sod Off!" which I imagine would have been the printable sentiments of Sgt. Hamyln when he had the Hun on his tail.
610 Squadron's base at Biggin Hill had been hit hard on by Luftwaffe bombers the 30th of August and was temporarily out of commission. Repair crews worked through then night and by morning the base was more or less operational again. 610 Squadron which had been in combat constantly and had suffered 18 pilots killed or missing since May was sent north for a well deserved rest.
Here is the completed painting on July 31, 2010
Recently Completed...
"Springtime for Hitler and Germany"
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Revised: 31 Jul 2010.e-mail: Webmaster@starduststudios.com
