Dated 1939. A linen RAF flag used to denote the Command of Air Commodore Keith Rodney Park, horizontal RAF colors (light and dark blue), with a thick red stripe in the center, 590 x 860 mm. The hoist stenciled "A.C.M. K.R.P 39," the flag discolored and with a few tears, fly blown out. A rare personal RAF command flag for Keith Rodney Park, a New Zealand born Airman, both a World War I flying Ace, and RAF Commander in World War II. In 1938 he was promoted to Air Commodore at Fighter Command under Dowding. In April 1940 he was promoted again to Air Vice Marshall of No 11 Group RAF, responsible for the Fighter defense of London and South-east England. In that role he directed fighter patrols over Dunkirk and was responsible for fighter command during the Battle of Britain in his sector. After the controversy created by Leigh-Mallory, the commander of 12 group defending airfields during the Battle of Britain, which resulted in both Park and Dowding being replaced after the battle of Britain, Park was then posted to Training Command. In 1942 Park was sent to Egypt to build up the air defense of the Nile delta, and moved on to take command of the defense of Malta during the massed air attacks from Germany and Italy. Park was an important figure in the wartime RAF, and this flag probably moved with him from posting to posting around the world.
Dated 1939. A linen RAF flag used to denote the Command of Air Commodore Keith Rodney Park, horizontal RAF colors (light and dark blue), with a thick red stripe in the center, 590 x 860 mm. The hoist stenciled "A.C.M. K.R.P 39," the flag discolored and with a few tears, fly blown out. A rare personal RAF command flag for Keith Rodney Park, a New Zealand born Airman, both a World War I flying Ace, and RAF Commander in World War II. In 1938 he was promoted to Air Commodore at Fighter Command under Dowding. In April 1940 he was promoted again to Air Vice Marshall of No 11 Group RAF, responsible for the Fighter defense of London and South-east England. In that role he directed fighter patrols over Dunkirk and was responsible for fighter command during the Battle of Britain in his sector. After the controversy created by Leigh-Mallory, the commander of 12 group defending airfields during the Battle of Britain, which resulted in both Park and Dowding being replaced after the battle of Britain, Park was then posted to Training Command. In 1942 Park was sent to Egypt to build up the air defense of the Nile delta, and moved on to take command of the defense of Malta during the massed air attacks from Germany and Italy. Park was an important figure in the wartime RAF, and this flag probably moved with him from posting to posting around the world.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
