This is a pencil sketch study of a Sgt Pilot from 1940 by Steve Teasdale. It has been signed by the artist and Battle of Britain Sgt Pilot Arthur Pond of 601 squadron. The sketch could be framed on its own, with a print or placed in your favourite book on the Battle of a Britain as a highly collectable bookplate. The overall paper size is roughly 19x14cm. Arthur ‘Bill’ Pond’s signature is one of the least common ones as he didn’t sign a huge amount of items. He passed away in 2003.
Pond went to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 28th May 1940 and after converting to Hurricanes he joined 601 Squadron at Middle Wallop on 9th June.
In the early evening of 11th July 601 intercepted a formation of He111s heading for the naval base at Portsmouth. Pond attacked one, which exploded and collided with the one flying next to it. Pond's victim, from KG55, crashed.
On 15th August Pond shot down a Ju88 of II/LG1, which crashed into the sea south of Southampton, its crew being rescued by an aircraft of Seenotflugkommando.
Three days later Pond attacked a Ju87 during a raid on Thorney Island. It began to smoke but then the gunner's return fire hit Pond's engine and his windscreen was covered with oil. He rolled and dived away, managed to reach Tangmere and made a crash-landing after his engine cut at he crossed the boundary. His Hurricane, V7305 was repairable and Pond was unhurt.
Pond received a Mention in Despatches (gazetted 29th September 1940).