MORAL SUPPORT - A BATTLE OF BRITAIN PORTFOLIO
Robert Taylor's stirring painting was inspired by the late Group Captain Peter Townsend's vivid description of an event that happened to him whilst in command of 85 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. Flying Officer Jim Marshall, was struggling to keep his Hurricane in the air after a collision during an engagement - it was barely flying. Townsend stood guard over the crippled aircraft, and using hand-signals guided the young pilot safely back to their base at Debden. It was a typical act of unselfish leadership from one of the RAF's most highly regarded fighter leaders.