A sculpture soon-to-be unveiled during this year’s Battle of Britain commemorations has been quietly mounted into its permanent position at the Thames Airfield.
On August 12 – and with the sculpture of Sir Keith Park in place – the team behind the project raised a toast, celebrating a step towards the completion of the Royal Air Force veteran’s memorial.
Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield president Geoff Furkert told The Profile that the bronze statue, designed by Helensville artist Joanne Sullivan, was the culmination of six years of effort.
The project had been disrupted “in good part by the Covid-19 pandemic, when the donation environment completely died,” he said.
It is “larger than a life-sized” 2.3m statue, and portrays the Air Chief Marshal in his flying uniform, looking into the distance and awaiting the return of his pilots from a mission.
At his feet are impressions of his many medals and awards.
It has been mounted on a plinth under the Hurricane fighter aircraft on-site, and Geoff said this year’s Battle of Britain Commemorations in September would be “spectacular”.
With many VIPs set to attend, the statue will be unveiled on the day, along with the inauguration of the completed memorial at the airfield.
Geoff earlier became instrumental in getting the replica Hurricane fighter plane installed at the airfield, and erecting the bronze statue of Sir Keith beneath it had long been a personal mission – one now nearing fulfilment.
DETAILS: The annual Thames Battle of Britain Commemorations will be held at the Thames Airfield, Sunday, September 14 starting at 11am. The event will include the unveiling of the 2.3m bronze statue of Sir Keith and the inauguration of the completed memorial, and is open to the public.
BY KELLEY TANTAU
