Pilot Officer A C Cochrane 'J P' C by Cuthbert Orde, charcoal and chalk on paper

This portrait is one of many that the Air Ministry commissioned from Cuthbert Orde, independently of the War Artists' Advisory Committee, to promote the contributions of Fighter Command pilots during the Battle of Britain.

Orde drew the pilots deemed most successful from every squadron, taking around two hours to complete each portrait. Canadian-born fighter ace Arthur Charles ‘Cocky’ Cochrane served with No. 257 Squadron at RAF Northolt at the time of this portrait, having won several victories against enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Cochrane later joined No.87 Squadron as Flight Commander with the North African campaign. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross the day before he was shot down in his Hurricane over Tunis on 31 March 1943, aged 24. Gifted by Sophia Crawford, 1998. Copyright: the artist's estate / RAF Museum.