New gate guardians have arrived

June 2010:

The new gate guardians have arrived at St. George's Chapel. These replicas are of a better quality than the previous pair, which were starting look a little 'tired', and the level of detail has to be seen to be believed. From the road it's hard to believe that these aren't real planes. Both the Spitfire and Hurricane have been painted to represent squadrons that were based at Biggin Hill during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and also to commemorate a particular pilot for each.

 

Tony Lewis

 

 

Spitfire MK1A - K9998 - 92 Squadron (QJ)

This Spitfire replica represents 92 Squadron which flew from Biggin Hill from 9th September 1940 and for the rest of the Battle of Britain. By the end of the battle 92 had claimed 127 kills.

This particular plane, K9998, was flown by pilot officer Geoffrey Wellum. He was the youngest pilot to fly in the RAF during the BOB and gained his first aerial kill in this plane on the 11th September 1940 but the plane received bad damage during the dogfight and that was the last time he flew it. His replacement plane being QJ-G. He gained the DFC.

 

Tony Lewis

 

Hurricane MK1 - P2921 - 32 Squadron (GZ)

This Hurricane replica represents 32 Squadron which flew from Biggin Hill patrolling Northern France and then in the early stages of the Battle of Britain. 32 Squadron suffered heavy losses during the battle and was withdrawn from Biggin Hill in August 1940.

This plane, P2921, was flown by pilot Pete Brothers during July and August 1940. Pete was convinced that speed was the key to success during combat and soon got his rigger to remove the external rear view mirror and fit a curved mirror, designed for a car and bought from Halfords in Bromley, and had that fitted inside the cockpit. He also had the rivets on the wings filed down to reduce drag. As a result this Hurricane flew 5mph faster than any other in the squadron. To further mark his stamp on this plane Pete had a 'Blue Peter' flag painted just below the cockpit.

During his time flying P2921, Pete Brothers was credited with destroying eight German aircraft.

The lack of rear view mirror and the Blue Peter flag are clearly evident on this replica.

 

Tony Lewis

 

Here are some shots of the replicas arriving at St' George's Chapel.

Tony Lewis

 

Tony Lewis

 

Tony Lewis

 

Tony Lewis

 

In the photo below you can see St. George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance. Come and have a look around the gate guardians close up and then visit the Chapel. The Chapel is open to the public every day of the week, admission free, from 11 till 4 (except Christmas Day when it's open only for the service). Come and see Laurie, the Chapel Custodian, and he'll show you around. For more details click on the link below.

http://bigginhillrafchapel.info/Welcome.html

 

 

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