SCULPTURE TRIBUTE TO WORLD WAR II SACRIFICE

In the quiet serenity of Ken Elliott's countryside workshop, history stirs from its slumber. Amidst the whirring of machinery and the dance of sparks, a masterpiece takes shape.

Spitfire P8394 is more than just a sculpture; it is a testament to courage and a tribute to sacrifice.

As Ken meticulously crafts each detail, he weaves a narrative that stretches back to World War II. At heart of the piece, lie two tattered fragments from a Spitfire that crashed near Stirling in 1943.

Buried beneath the earth for decades, these weathered pieces of aluminium emerge as symbols of resilience, each bearing witness to a chapter in history that refuses to be forgotten.

Fashioned from meticulously arranged aluminum strips, and standing at an impressive height of 4.5 metres, Spitfire P8394 is secured with stainless steel, a testament to both its structural integrity and the reverence with which it was crafted.

For Ken, the journey of creating this sculpture was more than just artistic expression; it was a deeply enriching experience intertwined with history.

The piece not only memorialises the plane and its pilot but also honours the operations of 1943 and the community of aviation and history enthusiasts linked with its re-discovery in 2000.

Ken reveals, "I was entrusted with two pieces of the wreckage with the understanding that they would be incorporated into a piece of sculptural artwork."

He adds, "My design evolved organically, influenced by the 2023 80th-anniversary commemoration at the crash site and subsequent discussions at the civic reception."

Ken describes the piece as a tale of three spitfires, drawn from emotions emerging out of the story that unfolded during his research; represented as a millisecond of time on the morning of 29th January 1943.

The first Spitfire is symbolised by the buckled pieces, a clear indication of the catastrophic crash and a direct physical link to the January day in 1943 when pilot Henri De La Batista took off from Balado airfield in Fife.

Whilst at high altitude it is believed his oxygen supply failed and the plane plummeted into the marshy ground beside the Bannock Burn at the North Third reservoir, a few miles to the Southwest of Stirling. A reminder of the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of one particular aviator, and all those who fought for freedom in the skies.

Surrounding the pieces are the spiralling organic forces of the earth, reaching up with tendrils of energy to reclaim metal and flesh back to its origin in the ground. Despite the extensive use we make of the natural world, ultimately the forces of nature win out and, whether sooner or later, we are again reduced to the water and minerals that make us.

The second Spitfire speaks to Ken’s background as an engineer with an appreciation of the skill and human achievement that designed and made the iconic lines of the plane. Also, the support of the people of Gibraltar through the donation of money, after whom the plane is named. Remembering the many engineers, technicians, factory workers and members of society who worked tirelessly to support the war effort at that time.

The recognisable shapes of the plane are depicted through the elliptical flowing lines of the wing, fuselage, and tail, with the power of a Merlin engine suggested by an impressive propeller.

And finally, the third Spitfire, a spirit of hope, rising up on wings, towers above the other two. Rolling in appreciation for the ingenuity and sacrifice of those involved in the struggles of a past war and all armed conflicts. It tunes into a resonance still felt more than 80 years later, reminding us of those, in services of all kinds, who continue to face, on our behalf, external threats to our values and livelihoods.

Ken is currently exploring avenues to exhibit the sculpture prominently within Stirling City centre, with a broader vision for its placement at a site intricately linked to World War II aviation. His goal is to ensure that both residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to see and appreciate Spitfire P8394.

With significant World War II 80th anniversaries on the horizon, such as D-Day in 2024 and VE-Day in 2025, Ken hopes that the sculpture will not only pique interest in this pivotal period of history but also serve as a catalyst for deeper exploration into Stirlingshire's fascinating history. Ultimately, he aspires for the sculpture to provoke contemplation on how history can be interpreted and immortalised through the medium of art.

To see more images of the sculpture and view a video of how it was made visit: https://www.northfieldartsandcrafts.co.uk/ms-spitfire.html