"Change of Plan"

by Brian Fare

Open Edition Pencil Print

These aviation illustrations are completed with the aim of depicting an accurate representation of the subject as possible making them ideal gifts. They are produced on A3 size (297mm x 420 mm) on white 300 gsm card

'Change of Plan'

Hawker Hurricane P3395 'JX-B'

No. 1 (F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Northolt

Aviation Fine Art, Litho Print



As the Battle of Britain entered its fourth phase on the 7th September 1940, the Luftwaffe changed their plans and switched from attacking the RAF airfields to bombing raids on the City of London, subsequently becoming known as ‘The Blitz’. By 16:15 Hrs on the 7th September, the Luftwaffe had a huge armada of German aircraft over the coast of England and within range of the Observer Corps posts. The Observer Corps reported in to the Maidstone HQ that “Enemy sighted, 100 plus, 20,000.” Within moments they would telephone again, “Further to my last report……make that 200 plus” and so it continued. In reality, a total of some 1,100 aircraft were crossing the English coastline consisting of 300 medium-heavy bombers, 200 Messerschmitt Bf110’s with bomb loads and about 600 Messerschmitt Bf109’s flying as escorts. Within thirty minutes, Fighter Command had twenty three Squadrons in the air with No 1 Squadron being scrambled from its home base at Northolt at 16:20 Hrs and again at 18:00 Hrs. It was during these raids that Plt Off A.V. Clowes was credited for destroying a Messerschmitt Bf110 whilst flying his Hurricane P3395 JX-B over the Thames Estuary.