Toby Wilson
Head of Department
LOT 129 ◊
A Supermarine Spitfire spinner mounted on a wooden stand for use as a Christening bowl, 1940,
Sold for £280.50 inc. premium
Lot 129◊
A Supermarine Spitfire spinner mounted on a wooden stand for use as a Christening bowl, 1940,
Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia, RAF Museum Hendon|21 November 2019, 11:00 GMT|Hendon, RAF Museum
A Supermarine Spitfire spinner mounted on a wooden stand for use as a Christening bowl, 1940,
spun alloy, 47cm diameter, mounted on a later constructed wooden stand with circular wooden cover, 75cm high overall, for use as a Christening bowl by a former owner, sold together with press cuttings, letters, typed transcripts of letters and other ephemera.
(Qty)
(Qty)
Footnotes
The nose cone is, by repute and documentation (sold with the lot), from the Spitfire crash landed at RAF Hawkinge by Sailor Malan during the Battle of Britain (although no record can be found of this event), it is more likely that this nose-cone is from the Spitfire crash landed near Hawkinge by Squadron-Leader John Mungo-Park a year later.
On 16 June 1941 while on a sweep ("Circus 14") over the Channel he shot down two Messerschmitt Bf 109s, but in the fight his plane was damaged. He turned for home but his engine seized as he crossed the coast. Nonetheless, Mungo-Park managed to stay airborne, gliding his Spitfire back to RAF Hawkinge. For this display of skill, as well as his continued leadership and growing tally of kills, he was told he was to receive a Bar to his DFC.
His citation for a DFC reads: Acting Squadron Leader John Colin MUNGO-PARK, D.F.C. (40008), No. 74 Squadron.
(Since reported missing.)
This officer has performed excellent work in his many engagements against the enemy and has destroyed at least twelve of their aircraft. In June, 1941, he was attacked by six Messerschmitt 109's while over the French coast. He succeeded in shooting down two of these and, although his own aircraft was badly damaged, Squadron Leader Mungo-Park flew back to this country making a skilful forced landing. His courage and leadership have contributed materially to the successes achieved by his squadron.
The spinner was rescued by a ground crew sergeant and later converted by him into a font. It then changed hands in 1945 when RAF Hawkinge was being closed down, when it was acquired by the new station commander Dennis Goodliffe, who later donated the Spitfire 'font' to an RAF Benevolent Fund auction in 1990, it is at that time the Sailor Malan/Battle of Britain story emerged, however there is a lack of evidence to support this story.
Additional information
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