Sir Keith Park at Thames
When the 1914-1918 World War Commemorations started back in 2014, the name of Thames born Sir Keith Park was remembered by many. Then in 2019 a generous donation led to a life size statue of Park being erected outside the Thames War Memorial Civic Hall.
There are many worthy historical projects needed at the Thames, this would for many be way down the list of priorities. But, hats off to the group who made this happen, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for yet another statue and a replica plane that will be on display at the Thames Airfield, the Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield. The first phase is complete and the replica plane is to be officially unveiled on Sunday 13 September, followed by the marking of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain - with a ceremony at the Civic Hall in Mary Street at 11am. (Details of the day)
Sir Keith Park's Hurricane
Below are photographs of the plane. It looks small as you drive along the Ngati Maru Highway, but once you get nearer, the size and the imagery are very impressive. Interesting to find out though, just as we will have two statues of Sir Keith within a few kilometres of each other, there is also another replica plane a short distance away in Auckland. At MOTAT, there is "a replica of Park's Mk 1 Hawker Hurricane 'OK 1' - the aircraft he used to visit airfields under his command during the Battle of Britain."
