THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB PICCADILLY, LONDON...bronze, and silver leaf, with coloured enamels that rely on reflection from the interior lighting. The upper levels of the design increasingly

© Helen Whittaker 2020 | [email protected] | www.helenwhittakerart.com

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB PICCADILLY, LONDON

RAF, Past and Present - Staircase Window

(2.4m x 6.1m) 2008

This window, in a prestigious secular setting, was commissioned following a competition. My winning design presents themes that characterise both the history of the Royal Air Force and the RAF Club since their formation in 1918. Special emphasis has been drawn to the roles played by RAF personnel, their aircraft (and other vital equipment) during open global conflict, the ‘Cold War’, and the many other operations in which the service has been engaged. The design had to respond to the variations in the degree of natural light passing through the window, which is restricted due to the close proximity of the adjacent buildings; there is a marked diminution in luminosity from the top to the bottom. The imagery depicted in the lower levels is enlivened by the use of metallic gold, bronze, and silver leaf, with coloured enamels that rely on reflection from the interior lighting. The upper levels of the design increasingly use transparent glass making full use of the available natural light, supplemented by external lighting. The window has been constructed so that the first part seen from the ground floor is the section containing the RAF Club crest and the Cowdray coat-of-arms. As the viewer ascends the staircase, the running figure of a pilot leads the eye through the larger figure and aircraft to the arch at the top, where a full circle can be seen. This gives reference to both radar and, in a more abstract sense the moon, giving guidance to the aircraft below. It can also be seen as an illustration of the RAF motto: Per Ardua ad Astra. Above the Lancaster the arch becomes a full circle which serves both as a reminder of the moon giving guidance to the aircraft below, as well as representing a radar sweep illuminating significant moments in RAF history. At the base of the window, the left hand frame depicts the Club Crest whilst on the right is the coat-of- arms of the first Viscount Cowdray who purchased 128 Piccadilly, and presented it to the Royal Air Force in 1922 as the Officers Club. Between the crests and dominating the lower window is a running fighter- pilot scrambling to his aircraft which is ‘offstage’ to the right. He represents RAF aircrew of all periods, ready at a moment’s notice to go into action in peace and in war. The eye is then led to the image of a Harrier whose pilot is climbing the ladder into the cockpit. Since 1969 this aircraft had operated with distinction in Belize, the Falklands, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as being a key component of RAF Germany. Behind the Harrier waves break on the shore, giving confirmation that we are an island and acting as a reminder that the RAF operates both overseas and over the sea. Above the North Sea a Lancaster is climbing into the night sky, symbolising the burden and sacrifice borne by Bomber Command in the Second World War. On return to England, whether damaged or lost, the searchlights point the way to safety and home. Much loved by its crew the Lancaster was critical in taking the air-offensive to Germany and was a major contribution to the winning of the war.




(2.4m x 6.1m) 2008

Detail: Lancaster Bomber Detail: Chinook




(2.4m x 6.1m) 2008

INNER CIRCLE

12 o’clock

Royal Air Force Cranwell, College Hall. Opened by (later) Marshall of the Royal Air Force Lord Trenchard in 1920, Cranwell was the world’s first academy dedicated to the formation and training of air force officers, whose reputation for excellence attracts many officer cadets from overseas. 2 o’clock

A Canberra B2 of 10 Sqn based at RAF Honnington and depicted over the Suez Canal. Operating from Nicosia, in 1956 this aircraft-WH 853-dropped the first British bombs on Egyptian soil in the Suez campaign. 5 o’clock

Between the wars, much of the RAF’s commitment was to imperial defence flying aircraft of obvious First World War lineage. The aircraft shown is a DH9 2-seater day bomber of B flight, 47 Sqn, flying over the pyramids. 6 o’clock

Since entering RAF service in December 1980 the Chinook has provided essential support as a heavylift helicopter for our armed forces in every theatre of operations. 7 o’clock

The plotting table in a Fighter Command operations room during the Battle of Britain. WAAF plotters are recording the movements of aircraft on the plotting table, watched by the Controllers on the balcony above. 10 o’clock

The Nimrod is the only jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft in military service. The Nimrod has provided a continuous presence in the Middle East providing vital surveillance, intelligence and communications support to coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.




(2.4m x 6.1m) 2008

OUTER CIRCLE

12 o’clock right

A Sunderland flying boat on its take-off run at Pembroke Dock, RAF Coastal Command. Flying boats served with the RAF until 1959, the Sunderland being the last. 1 o’clock

A deployed Rapier missile system, with its operator, defending airfields from low level air attack. 2 o’clock

Spitfire code L O G is depicted flying with 602 City of Glasgow Auxiliary Squadron in the Battle of Britain. 4 o’clock

The Hercules, viewed from below, has just dropped members of the Falcons, the RAF parachute display team in their distinctive blue coveralls and red helmets. 5,6,and 7 o’clock

VC10 tanker H Harriet of 101 Sqn is shown refuelling a 111 Sqn F3 Tornado over the North Sea. 8 o’clock

Two Lightning Mk 6 interceptors of 23 Sqn re-enter U.K air space after a sortie over the North Sea. 9 o’clock

This Hurricane in the markings of 249 Sqn is coded GNA, the aircraft in which Fighter Commands only Victoria Cross was won by Flight Lieutenant J.B. Nicolson on 16 August 1940. In the Battle of Britain the Hurricane destroyed more enemy planes than any other aircraft. 10 o’clock

A search and rescue helicopter overflies a high launch of the RAF Marine Branch. The 22Sqn Wessex aircraft in its distinctive yellow livery, saved countless lives of aircrew and civilian mariners and was a vital component of the mountain rescue organisation, tasks carried out today by its successor, the Sea King. 11 o’clock

The Vulcan entered RAF service in May 1957. The second of three V bomber types charged with carrying Britain’s nuclear deterrent was painted in distinctive anti-flash white. It was subsequently re-roled as a low-level stand-off conventional bomber and is depicted in camouflage livery.




(2.4m x 6.1m) 2008

View from staircase Full-size cartoon

Documents

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB PICCADILLY, LONDON...bronze, and silver leaf, with coloured enamels that rely on reflection from the interior lighting. The upper levels of the design increasingly