Mk1a Spitfires of 152(Hyderabad) Squadron, on patrol over Portland in late July 1940. They were based at Warmwell during the Battle of Britain to give air defense over Portland Naval Base.

When I decided to do a Spitfire painting, I wanted it to have a personal connection. I grew up in Dorset so I searched for a regional connection. I found that there was an airfield in Warmwell that took part in the Battle of Britain. Background decided. I then searched deeper and found the main reason for this was to protect the Royal Navy situated at Portland Harbour from air attacks. So now I had to decide on which Squadron to base my painting on. Sqn/Ldr Peter Devitt flew in 152 sqn and on one mission, as I read, took a hit and crash-landed a Mk1a Spitfire not far from Frome in Somerset. Being as I now reside in Frome my decision was made, 152 squadron has their own website with lots of information and history. After days of reading and searching, taking notes, and painting an image in my head, I came up with the story depicted.

They flew several patrols without incident so I opted for one of those days. I also wanted to include their main objective, protecting the Naval Base. Portland is famous for Portland Bill, The treacherous seas, and the coastline. I decided I wanted to include this somehow. So the background of the painting was set. I also wanted to try and capture the beauty of the Spitfire. I decided to have one nearly side-on, and then a couple behind showing the famous shape of her. Two Spitfires banking away, going toward the coast, and the title came to me. ”Let’s head for home”. Many pilots never had that opportunity after their mission, so it gave a nice feeling, that on this day they did. Flying K9894 UM-N is Sgt Denis Norman Robinson. UM-A is being flown by Sqn/Ldr Peter Kenneth Devitt with P/O Eric Simcox (Boy) Marrs in the distance flying UM-J “Old Faithful”.

Below them is Portland Bill. Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour can be seen on the left of the painting.