SPITFIRE FRAGMENTS INSPIRE NEW SCULPTURE
Two seemingly unremarkable pieces of aluminium, discovered in Stirling, have become the source of inspiration for local artist Ken Elliott, propelling him to create a 4.5-metre-high sculpture that will pay homage to the people and machinery associated with this poignant piece of wartime history.
The story harks back to January 29, 1943, when Belgian Spitfire pilot Henri De La Bastita took off from Balado airfield in Fife, a satellite of the Grangemouth training squadron.
Tragedy struck as he soared at high altitude when it's believed that his oxygen supply failed, resulting in a fatal crash into the marshy terrain near the Bannock Burn at the North Third reservoir, a few miles southwest of Stirling.
REDISCOVERED
After removing the pilot’s body from the plane, the wreckage - which was buried beneath the ground - was left behind and forgotten for 57 years, until a group of Stirling-based aviation archaeologists rediscovered it and moved it to an aviation museum in Ayrshire in 2000. Only a few remnants remained in Stirling.
As the 80th anniversary of the crash approached, a plaque was erected at the crash site on January 29, 2023, and a civic ceremony was held, honouring the sacrifice of the pilot.
SCULPTURE INCORPORATES WRECKAGE
The two fuselage fragments, coupled with the 2023 ceremony, ignited Ken Elliott's creativity, leading him to conceive a substantial outdoor sculpture.
This sculpture will not only house the two salvaged pieces but also serve as a reminder of the layers of history entwined with the Spitfire and its pilot.
A one-tenth scale model offers a sneak peek at the design, complete with a human silhouette for scale.
The sculpture captures a fleeting moment from the fateful morning of January 29, 1943, when Spitfire P8394, named Gibraltar, met its tragic end, distorted as it succumbed to the marshy ground of the North Third.
It stands as a tribute to the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of one distinguished aviator and all those who took to the skies to fight for freedom, deriving its artistic essence from the iconic Supermarine Spitfire.
Emblems representing Belgium, Scotland, Gibraltar, and the RAF adorn its base.
WORKSHOP CONSTRUCTION
Ken Elliott has already begun the construction in his workshop, with the sculpture's base and the plane's shape gradually taking form.
Over the coming months, it will reach its final dimensions, stretching approximately 2 metres in width and 4.5 metres in height.
plans for UNVEILING
Ken is diligently working on arrangements to display the sculpture in Stirling City centre during the summer of 2024, as part of the city’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
This will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to admire the artwork and perhaps spark their curiosity about this segment of Stirling's rich history.
OTHER WORKS
Ken Elliott's endeavor encapsulates the essence of preserving history through art, bringing a poignant chapter of Stirling's past to life for contemporary audiences.
For a deeper look into Ken's artistic portfolio, visit his website at Northfield Arts and Crafts or explore his YouTube channel, Ken's Engineered Art.
You can also read about his digital commission project with Scene Stirling here.