
James Garguilo
Specialist
LOT 38A
Manner of Terence Cuneo, 'Reach for the Sky',
Designed by R J Mitchell, the prototype Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936, and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938. By the outbreak of World War two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large number of modifications and developments produced many variants from Mk I to Mk XVI. To counter the improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the Mk XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk I and II variants named Seafires.
By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954.
Douglas Bader joined the RAF in 1928. A fearless aerobatic flyer, his luck ran out when his aircraft crashed attempting a slow roll at vey low altitude. He lost both legs, and his career in the RAF was, for the time being, over.
At the outbreak of World War II however, his persistence persuaded the RAF to let him fly again, this time with artificial legs. Joining 19 Squadron in February 1940, he soon scored his first victory. A brilliant fighter leader, he was given command of 242 Squadron and led them throughout the Battle of Britain. Posted to Tangmere in 1941 Bader was one of the first Wing Leaders. Bader's luck again ran out on August 9, 1941, when he was brought down over St. Omer, France. Bader was taken prisoner, after several attempted escapes he was finally incarcerated in Colditz for the rest of the war. When finally liberated, despite his best efforts to get another flight in a Spitfire, he was refused permission and had to settle for an official score of 22½ victories.
SALEROOM NOTICE This painting is NOT by Terence Cuneo, and according to information provided by the Cuneo family, Terence Cuneo was never known to have painted a Spitfire.

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