K5054 Artwork

Spitfire K5054 Painting Auction - Painting and 250 limited edition prints by Michael Turner

There were several bidders up to £25k, but excitement and began to mount as the bidding, which had started at £10,000, went over £30,000, building to a crescendo with only two bidders left one at the Banquet and one by telephone. The hammer eventually fell (or, more accurately, the auctioneer tapped his microphone) at £47,000!

The name of the proud owner remains anonymous the telephone bidding was conducted by a lawyer in America on behalf of an undisclosed client. There was naturally considerable speculation about who it might be. Who has such a keen interest in aviation and enough money to indulge his passion to that extent? Two names suggested most frequently were John Tavolta and Tom Cruise, with Travolta generally considered the more likely. The auction of various aviation-related lots and a raffle raised about £74,000 and, in total the evening raised about £100,000 for the Museum and the Air League.

Those of us of more modest means have the opportunity to enjoy the painting and save £46,850 - 250 limited edition prints, numbered and signed by both Alex Henshaw and Michael Turner are available from the Air Leage.