Bust of Sir Alex Henshaw by Reginald Lewis, bronze

This bronze was made by Reginald Lewis in 1944 while Sir Alex was chief production test pilot at the Vickers-Supermarine Works at Castle Bromwich near Birmingham.

It is one of two busts of Henshaw by Lewis. The other was used by Lewis as a sample when he applied for election to the Royal Society of British Sculptors, where he eventually became Vice President. In the 1930s Henshaw was a keen pilot who made his name in air races, but rather than joining the RAF he became a test pilot at Vickers-Armstrong where he flew Spitfires. It is estimated that he test flew 10% of all Spitfires ever built. The bust was gifted to Henshaw by the artist. It remained with the family until it was donated to the RAF Museum.