An impressive statue of New Zealand war hero Sir Keith Park has been locked out of Battle of Britain commemorations at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. John Landrigan reports on the larger than life figure that turned out to be too large.
An unveiling of a statue in memory of
Sir Keith Park in London will be a proud moment for New Zealand.
A moment we were to share - in part, here in Auckland with our own 6m tall tribute. But organisers have discovered the tribute to Sir Keith is too big to fit into the foyer of our grand memorial.
September this year is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the air campaign waged by the feared German Luftwaffe against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940.
The statue of Kiwi hero of the infamous battle, Sir Keith Park - described by the Germans as the "Defender of London" - is to be officially unveiled in London's Waterloo Place this month with dignitaries such as New Zealand Prime Minister John Key attending.
Auckland Museum's centrepiece for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was to be Weta Workshop's six 6m model that was used to make the bronze statue of Sir Keith Park.
The trouble is, at 6m tall, it's too big says museum spokeswomen, Margi Mellsop.
"Auckland War Memorial Museum will not be displaying the model of the statue of Sir Keith Park as had been previously stated," she conceded in a short statement this week.
"This is due to the fact that the museum team have been unable to find a way to get the 6m Weta-made model into the grand foyer."
Mrs Mellsop says, based on the measurements, the team realised it would not fit and the statue will remain in Wellington.
Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Royal New Zealand Air Force Association will still mark the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, with a range of activities both inside and outside the museum. These include a parade and service on the newly refurbished Cenotaph and an Air Force fly-over.
Inside there will be a special installation alongside the Spitfire, gifted to the Museum by the Air Ministry of England at the request of Sir Keith. The installation will tell the stories of Sir Keith and two New Zealand pilots who flew during the Battle of Britain, M C Kinder and R A Hadley.
Visitors to the museum will be able to learn about this important battle and some of the many who courageously gave their lives.
Saluting Sir Keith
What: Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary. Remembering Sir Keith Park
When: Parade, Fly-over and Service: Sunday, September 19, 11am - midday,
Court of Honour (wet weather option: World War II Hall of Memories)
Airforce vehicle display: Sunday, September 19, 10am - 1pm, Upper Court of the Cenotaph.
Spitfire Gallery installation: September 18 - October 3
Where: Auckland War Memorial Museum
An impressive statue of New Zealand war hero Sir Keith Park has been locked out of Battle of Britain commemorations at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. John Landrigan reports on the larger than life figure that turned out to be too large.
An unveiling of a statue in memory of
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