World War 2 hero New Zealander Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park will be remembered with a permanent bronze statue to be unveiled in central London next month.
The permanent bronze statue of Battle of Britain leader Sir Keith will be unveiled at Waterloo Place on September 15, which is Battle of Britain Day in England and the 70th anniversary of the 1940 battle.
Sir Keith fought at Gallipoli in World War 1 before he was wounded and told he was unfit to serve with the artillery. He joined the Royal Flying Corps and later commanded the 11 Group Fighter Command.
His contribution to the World War 2 defence of Britain was later recognised as the key factor in turning back the German invasion plans.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Lord Tedder, said of Sir Keith: "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I don't believe it is recognised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save not only this country, but the world".
The unveiling will be attended by about 1000 invited guests, including Battle of Britain veterans, members of Sir Keith's family, and representatives of the Commonwealth and other countries whose airmen flew with the Royal Air Force during the battle.
The statue will replaces a five-metre high fibreglass statue of Sir Keith temporarily installed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square.
That statue will now go on permanent display in the Battle of Britain Hall at the RAF Museum in Hendon.
NZPA