*British, c.2000, Framed Keith Hill Limited Edition Print “Tribute to the Few”, WW2 RAF Supermarine Spitfire of No. 602 Squadron (LO-Q), signed Wg Cdr P.P.C. “Paddy” Barthropp DFC AFC & Keith Hill, with RAF WWII Aircraft Tailwheel*
A highly evocative Battle of Britain themed display, comprising a framed limited edition print titled “Tribute to the Few” after an original oil painting by aviation artist Keith Hill, together with a WWII-era RAF aircraft tailwheel assembly.
The print, issued in 2000 by the Daily Mail as part of a commemorative fundraising campaign, depicts a Supermarine Spitfire in early-war camouflage flying above cloud, bearing the squadron code LO-Q of No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, a unit heavily engaged during the Battle of Britain. The print is signed in pencil by the artist Keith Hill and further signed by Wing Commander P.P.C. “Paddy” Barthropp DFC AFC (RAF, Retired), a Battle of Britain pilot and one of “The Few.” The edition is numbered 1541 from a limited run of 2,000. The print is housed in a glazed wooden frame, with an original handwritten gallery label (The Staircase Gallery) describing the piece and referencing the certificate of authenticity (not inspected without opening the frame).
Accompanying the print is an original aircraft tailwheel assembly fitted with an Aero tyre, forming a highly effective physical complement to the Spitfire artwork. The tyre is marked: AERO; Code: PA.19; Size: 4.95 – 3½; “Static Conducting” and EH718. The metal hub is stamped: 29653; A / 836 / AL/287; ADAPTOR; ET 62 / ET 68 and Inspection mark “M” within a circle. The wheel is of compact, high-pressure pattern consistent with RAF tailwheel assemblies of the Second World War period.
Approx. Measurements – Frame: 82.2 cm x 56.5 cm. Wheel: approx. 30 cm diameter x 11 cm width. Hub diameter: 11.4 cm
History Note:
This print was commissioned in 2000 by the Daily Mail as part of a fundraising campaign for the Battle of Britain Monument on London’s Victoria Embankment, with aviation artist Keith Hill producing the original oil painting specifically for the project. The limited edition of 2,000 prints sold out rapidly—reportedly within 20 hours—raising approximately £20,000 for the memorial fund.
The title “Tribute to the Few” derives from Winston Churchill’s famous 1940 speech during the Battle of Britain, referring to the RAF fighter pilots who defended Britain—placing the signed participation of Wing Commander Barthropp firmly within that historic group. The aircraft depicted represents a Spitfire of No. 602 Squadron, one of the RAF fighter units central to the defence of Britain during 1940. The inclusion of the signature of Wing Commander “Paddy” Barthropp, a confirmed Battle of Britain pilot, directly links the print to the events it commemorates. Barthropp flew operationally in Spitfires during the Battle of Britain, later being shot down over France in 1942 and spending the remainder of the war as a prisoner. Post-war, he became a test pilot flying early jet aircraft before retiring from the RAF. His signature appears on relatively few modern commemorative pieces, enhancing the desirability of the edition.
The accompanying wheel is identifiable as a WWII-era RAF aircraft tailwheel assembly, retaining its Aero tyre marked 4.95–3½, a size closely associated with aircraft such as the Airspeed Oxford and other contemporary training and light operational types including the Fairey Battle and naval aircraft of similar class. The hub markings and construction are consistent with British Air Ministry pattern components of the period.
While not attributable to a specific aircraft, the wheel represents an authentic component of WW2 RAF wartime aviation and provides a tangible counterpart to the Spitfire imagery, creating a cohesive and highly displayable aviation ensemble.
*Condition*
The print remains in good overall display condition with strong colour and clear signatures. The frame shows light wear consistent with age and handling. The reverse retains a handwritten gallery label. The frame has not been opened, and the presence of the certificate of authenticity referenced has not been verified. The aircraft wheel shows expected service and age-related wear, including surface marks, oxidation to the metal hub, and general handling wear to the tyre. The tyre remains intact with clear moulded markings. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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