Artefacts from a flying ace who took down at least five enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain have been donated to the museum in Uxbridge .

The bunker, which housed the secret headquarters of the bold Royal Air Force aerial campaign in 1940, is currently undergoing a £6million redevelopment to be completed in February 2018.

Wing Commander Ronald Gustave Kellett, DSO, DFC, AE flew for the Polish 303 Squadron at RAF Northolt during the Battle of Britain, with five confirmed enemy aircraft takedowns, two "probables" and 1 Luftwaffe aircraft damaged.

The story of the 303 Squadron is being turned into a Second World War drama titled Hurricane, with Sam Hoare playing the role of Wing Commander Kellett.

He was also one of the first men to fly the Hawker Hurricane fighter, which was instrumental in winning the Battle of Britain and many subsequent operations.

Councillor Richard Lewis, cabinet member for central services, culture and heritage said: "This is a major coup for us and it is wonderful that Hillingdon is home to Wing Commander Kellett’s medals so near to his old base at RAF Northolt.

Senior curator Daniel Stirland and the Kellett children under a replicla of the Hurricane fighter plane

"We even have a replica of the plane he flew in the colours of 303 squadron standing guard at the entrance to the underground bunker.

"These items will be the stars of our collection when the new £6 million Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre opens next year.”

Medals from Wing Commander Kellett's illustrious flying career

Wing Commander Kellett's children entrusted Hillingdon Council with the artefacts after fears that splitting them among the five children and 20 grandchildren would lead to his memory being forgotten.

The family met Daniel Stirland, a senior curator at the visitor centre, at a Polish Air Force dinner and decided the Battle of Britain Bunker was the best home for the medals and personal effects.

Judy Williams, Wg Cdr Kellett’s daughter, said: “Meeting Dan came at the right time and we are pleased future generations will be able to admire father’s items and that his legacy is kept alive at the bunker.

The new museum and visitor centre is due to open in February 2018

"This is an amazing place. It is amazing to think of the hard work of the people working down there, and they must have known the pilots including father," she added.

Mr Stirland said: “This is an historically significant collection and we are very excited the family chose to donate their father’s items to us and this will be one of the highlights of the new exhibition when it opens in the spring.”

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