‘Endeavour’ Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC

Editions of this remarkable sculpture are now becoming very limited the current edition for sale is number 21 of 25

‘I first encountered Gregs work whilst filming at the Boultbee Flight Academy, in Chichester back in 2015 for Channel 4. I remember the reception area was jammed full of really amazing aviation artefacts; spitfire yokes, reflector gun sights, models etc… there was one item that particually stood out amongst the rest though…

On the coffee table, in the centre of the room, surrounded by thick, heavy leather settees was this beautiful Bronze sculpture. Unlike anything id seen before, I instantly fell in love with it, it was an early edition of Gregs Albert Ball piece; ‘Knights Of The Sky’. What struck me was the energy of the sculpture, Greg had managed to capture the speed, and adrenaline of the aeroplanes action in its form. It focussed on the cockpit section and was contained in this perfectly proportioned bronze. I could picture it in my home, and for many years there after wished it was!

I had no idea back then that I would be starting the collection, but when I first conceived the idea, I knew that Greg’s work, and sculptures just had to feature. I had no idea how I was going to convince this extremely talented artist to agree, but I had to have his work!’  Arthur Williams 2019 is a BAFTA-winning British television presenter, professional paralympic cyclist and former Royal Marine.

Thankyou for the edition of ‘Endeavour’ its truely superb. Thanks so much for arranging the delivery of this wonderful piece of art. I thought you’d like a picture of it against some billowing clouds..or should I say pillowing clouds!’ David Sproxton, Ardman Animations and creator of the BBC’s Morph character. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sproxton

‘Just superb, thankyou for the edition, its a stunning piece’ Matt Jones, Boultbee Flight Academy.

‘An amazing sculpture, a gift to myself after bing involved with the Spitfire Documentary Film’ Pat Mills, Executive Producer of the Spitfire Film 2018

‘Not only did I take receipt of a fabulous edition, but I also got to meet the artist, thank you for making my day. Please feel free, should anyone ask about your satisfied customers, to use my name as a reference; amongst the others you already have.’ Martyn Ford-jones Historian and Author.

Artmoorhouse Gallery
October to November  2018

Pride of place for an edition of ‘Endeavour’ “You can’t fly a Spitfire and forget about it. Stays with you forever” – Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum R.I.P Another one of the few now gone, Blue skies Geoff

#raf100 #raf #spitfire #firstlight #geoffreywellum

Artmoorhouse Gallery are extremely proud to host #speed On show amazing work by Ferrari @gto_engineering together with breathtaking Sculptures by @gregorypercivalsculptor and beautiful and interesting representational art by #williamlansbury to mark the 60th anniversary of #mikehawthorn #worldchampionship For any information on the exhibition please contact @eli_martinelli #London #artoftheday #instaart #cityoflondon

*NEWS*

EDITION 18 OF 25 ONLY TO BE MADE, SOLD AT THE BONHAMS DECEMBER SALE 6TH DECEMBER 2017

EDITIONS ARE BECOMING LIMITED

Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC

‘Knights of the Sky’ sculpture series

‘Endeavour’

Gregory Percival produced this work specifically for the Fly to Help charity event held at the RAF Club, 1st May 2013.

Paying tribute to Geoffrey Wellum, the the bronze sculpture depicts the pilot in his Mk11a Spitfire diving and roling to the left.

His Squadron code ‘Q J’ is visible on the body of the sculpture along with the riveting and panelling associated with these aircraft.

The completed work is a limited edition of 25 bronze casts, signed, numbered and finished by the artist. with two artist’s proofs AP001/002 andAP002/002 already sold

An early edition is being sold to the Bonham’s Oxford auction in December 2014 with proceeds again going to Fly2Help.

Cast in bronze and mounted on slate.

Artists Proofs: 2 of each,  Individually numbered and signed. SOLD

Edition of 25 available from 021/025 onwards

Approx: 6KG in Weight, 40cm in Height and 30cm in Width

Current Pricing: £4500

Aged eighteen, he signed up on a short-service commission with the Royal Air Force in August 1939. The first aircraft he flew was the Tiger Moth at Desford airfield in Leicestershire, after successfully completing the course he then went on to fly the North American Harvard at RAF Little Rissington with 6FTS.

He was then posted directly in May 1940 to 92 Squadron, flying Spitfires. He saw extensive action during the Battle of Britain. His first Commanding Officer was Roger Bushell, (later immortalised in The Great Escape), and his close colleagues included Brian Kingcome

Flight Lieutenant Brian Kingcome (left), commanding officer of No. 92 Squadron Royal Air Force and his wingman, Flying Officer Geoffrey Wellum, next to a Supermarine Spitfire at RAF Biggin Hill, Kent, 1941.

He claimed a Heinkel He 111 shot down on 11 September, and a quarter share in a Junkers Ju 88 downed on 27 September 1940. Two (and one shared) Messerschmitt Bf 109s were claimed ‘damaged’ during November 1940. A Bf 109 was claimed shot down on 9 July 1941 over France.

In February 1942 he was transferred to 65 Squadron based at Debden, being appointed a Flight Commander in March 1942.

On 11 August 1942, Wellum led eight Spitfires launched from the carrier HMS Furious to reinforce the fighter complement at Luqa airfield on Malta. Here he joined 145 Squadron on air defence duties before being rested after a severe bout of sinusitis.

First public display at The Goodwood Revial 2014 and at the Bonhams Revival Auction 2014

Endeavour Spitfire Geoffrey Wellum DFC Bronze Spitfire Sculpture

Endeavour Spitfire Geoffrey Wellum DFC Bronze Spitfire Sculpture

Phot graphy courtesy of John Goodman

Geoffrey Wellum DFC Bronze Spitfire Sculpture

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The following images show the original sculpture being made from rough wooden former to more complex areas

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Wax outer shell

This is the first wax to be created, it sits on one side of the silicon robber mould i made

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Wax Camopy and Main Body De-moulded

Wax demoulded with its canopy, which is a seperate casting, resting on the body

Latest edition to be shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week at Bonhams 016/025 edition number. From the rough casting at the foundry to the polished section with the canopy silver soldered to the body of the Spitfire.

The patination is slowly built up using a lot of heat from a large nozzle propane torch while applying ferric nitrates to the surface to build up the patina. Finally using lower heat wax is appiled hot to the surface, left to cool then polished by hand to get the almost glass like shine. Hot hot work but the results are always so satisfying. Start to finish of an ‘Endeavour’ edition Sqd Leader Wellum DFC in his Spitfire during the Battle of Britain

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