Tribute to Ken Mackenzie by Ivan Berryman. [Original Painting]

Wing Commander Ken Mackenzie was a formidable opponent during the Battle of Britain - even without any weaponry as on the occasion depicted here. Then a Pilot Officer flying with No.501 Sqn, on 7th October 1940 he shot up an Me109 and followed it down to the sea, expecting it to ditch. When his foe did not crash-land, he used the starboard wing-tip of his Hurricane, V6799 SD-X, to strike the tailplane of his opponent, sending the German fighter crashing into the water. Thus he claimed one of at least 6 victories during the Battle of Britain and 10 overall in the war. Posted in June 1941 to No.247 Sqn, Ken Mackenzie was himself forced to ditch into the sea after damage from flak over Brittany. He became a prisoner of war until October 1944 and served in the Royal Air Force until 1967, becoming an airline pilot until 1973. He died in 2009.

Oil on canvas

Size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)