RAF Spitfire Mk.I Battle of Britain Combat Loss No. 65 Squadron RAF by Ron Cole

The mystery began to unravel in the spring of 1975 when the wreck of his Spitfire R6713 was discovered in marshy ground near Stodmarsh, close to Canterbury. Among the recovered personal effects, a gold fountain pen, intricately engraved with the names of his fellow pilots, provided the irrefutable identification needed. This poignant discovery allowed Flying Officer Gruszka to finally receive a proper burial with full military honors at Northwood, Middlesex, on July 17, 1975, bringing a measure of closure to a story of wartime heroism and sacrifice that spanned over three decades.

I've had this aluminum panel in my collection for over ten years with a tag and excellent provenance regarding both its origins and its identification as having belonged to Gruszka's Spitfire. I sat on this piece for a long time because a fatality was associated with the wreckage and its raised rivets left me uneasy as indicative of a Spitfire. But I did learn the interesting story of early Spitfire construction under the pressures of war and how the time-consuming flush riveting process often yielded to raised rivets being used. More importantly, I came to know relatives of Franciszek Gruszka who asked me to paint his aircraft and also encouraged me to 'honor his memory' in the form of these displays. I've included an homage to Gruszka on the reverse, something that I've never done (other than for COAs) but thought most appropriate!

Limited to only 120 - though there will likely be only about 60 before material from this aircraft will run out. Signed & numbered by the artist.

Size: artwork is 8.5x11-inches, with black frame making the entire piece roughly 13x10.5-inches.

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