Spitfire Girls (print)

Spitfire Girls is a painting I have had in my head for a long time. Many years ago, our publishing company was instructed by Lettice Curtis that we were going to publish her autobiography. (That’s how it worked with Lettice, not many said no to her!) It was my job to design the book and on one occasion I had to telephone her to discuss the photo content. Now I have happily spoken to Royalty and famous people without problem, but Lettice was a terrifying prospect! A formidable woman who didn’t take prisoners, even in her eighties! Luckily for me, she was delightful to talk to and in the end, I am very proud to have had a conversation with one of the UK’s most outstanding female pilots.

Lettice was of course one of the earliest female pilots to fly with the Air Transport Auxiliary during WW2. She ended up flying Spitfires and heavy bombers on a daily basis and fought considerable sexism post-war to carve out a career in civil aviation. I vowed then that one day I would paint a picture to celebrate the young female pilots of the ATA, and this is the final result. The painting is based around two female ATA pilots walking towards their next assignment after delivering Spitfires from the factory to an RAF Maintenance Unit.

 Overall limited edition of 130

No’s 1-100 signed by the artist….£50

30 Artist’s Proofs signed by the artist …£65

Remarques may be available @ £350, please contact Mark for details.

The original painting is available HERE