Flying ace set for fourth plinth

A design for a statue of Sir Keith Park, the Air Vice Marshal, who commanded the defence of London and South East England during the Battle of Britain, was unveiled at City Hall earlier today. Sir Keith, a flying ace from World War One credited with numerous kills, led 11 Group RAF during the crucial fight for air supremacy in 1940.

Supporters of the sculpture want to see it installed on the fourth plinth for sixth months next year. The London Evening Standard reported that the sculpture will be six metres tall.

Park was born in New Zealand, the ninth of ten children. He initially served in the New Zealand expeditionary force in the First World War. He was wounded in 1916 and shipped to Britain. He managed to gain a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps.

Park's first assignment as Air Vice Marshal was to facilitate with the Royal Navy the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. To this end some 340,000 troops were evacuated.

Park advocated a policy of disruption, whereby RAF pilots would seek to break up formations of German bombers and thus the intensity of bombing over London and the South East.

In February 1947, the Chief of Air Staff, Lord Tedder praised Park's crucial contribution to Britain's war effort at the New Zealand Society's annual dinner. "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don't believe it is realized how much that one man, with his leadership, his calm judgment and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world."

Sir Keith Park died in 1975.

The fourth plinth was built way back in 1841. Originally, an equestrian statue of King William IV was going to occupy the plinth but there were insufficient funds to carry out the proposal.

The fourth plinth now hosts a rotating programme of modern art. Exhibits on the fourth plinth have included a statue of England's World Cup winning rugby union fly half, Jonny Wilkinson.

Trafalgar Square was named after Admiral Horatio Nelson's naval victory, against a combined French and Spanish fleet, at the battle of Trafalgar, in 1805. The column was designed by William Railton. It is topped by an 18ft granite statue of Nelson. The four lions around the base of the column were added in 1867.

Visitors to London can hear about the history of royal and monumental of the English capital with the Palace Trail, Walk Talk Tour London travel guide.

Hear why the Houses of Parliament is properly called the new Palace of Westminster. Find out where the true centre and London's one time smallest police station are located. Hear and see - if you get your timing right - Changing the Guard at Horseguards and Mounting the Guard outside Buckingham Palace. To find out more at the dates and opening times of key attractions and events along the tour's route please take a look at our Where & When page.

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