RAF Bronze Bust of Spitfire Pilot Ace Douglas Bader

This RAF Bronze Bust of Pilot Ace Douglas Bader.   This bust sculpture depicts the story of Douglas Bader who is one of the Royal Air Force’s most famous fighter pilots, credited with 22 aerial victories, 4 shared victories, 6 probables, 1 shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged.  He possessed many of the qualities that might be expected of a fighter pilot, especially determination to succeed in difficult circumstances and the ability to lead and inspire others.  Group Captain Douglas Bader has been described as “determined and dogmatic”, “fearless and always eager for a challenge” and “intensely loyal to the causes he cared about and to his friends”.   After the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Bader returned to the RAF although losing both his legs in an aerial acrobatics display crash in 1931. He scored his first victories over Dunkirk during the Battle of France in 1940. He then took part in the Battle of Britain.  In August 1941, Bader baled out over German-occupied France and was captured, sent to the prisoner of war camp at Colditz Castle where he remained until April 1945 when the camp was liberated by the United States Army.