Battle of Britain Pilot At Readiness

The Battle of Britain Pilot at Readiness sculpture by British sculptor Peter Close pays tribute to the Royal Air Force fighter pilots who defended Britain during the Battle of Britain in 1940. This dramatic period of the Second World War saw RAF pilots scramble to protect Britain’s skies from sustained aerial attack, an effort that proved decisive in the defence of the country. 

This finely detailed RAF pilot sculpture depicts a Battle of Britain pilot sitting-prepared for action, capturing the determination and courage of the young airmen who flew aircraft such as the Spitfire and Hurricane during the air campaign. The pose conveys a moment of readiness between sorties, reflecting the intense pace and pressure experienced by Fighter Command pilots.

August 1940. The Battle of Britain is at its height. At 11 Group fighter bases in the south east of England exhausted young fighter pilots wait at dispersal points for the start of another days desperate fighting.

Trying to relax in an old leather armchair, this RAF pilot’s gaze drifts from the novel he is reading over to the far horizon. He is waiting for the shrill clamour of the telephone.  Followed by the mad scramble into the air to meet yet another incoming Luftwaffe raid.

The figure is shown wearing authentic flying equipment including the 1932 pattern ‘Mae West’ life jacket and 1936 pattern flying boots, details carefully sculpted to evoke the historical accuracy of RAF fighter pilot gear. 

Cast in cold cast bronze, the sculpture combines bronze powder with resin to produce a piece with the appearance and weight of solid bronze while allowing for exceptional detail in the sculpted uniform and equipment. 

This Battle of Britain pilot sculpture is part of a limited edition and makes a striking piece for collectors of military and aviation sculpture, aviation enthusiasts, and those with an interest in RAF history. It serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery of “The Few”, the aircrew who defended Britain during one of the most critical moments of the war.

• Height 23cm / 9.5in
• Length 27cm / 10.5in
• Weight 3kg
• Made of cold cast bronze
• Limited to an edition of 250

Discover more military and aviation sculptures by Peter Close, including RAF pilots, famous aviation figures and historic military subjects.