The Clive James broadcast at 8.50 this morning on Radio 4 had a very good piece about Keith Park. He mentioned about how both he and Dowding were sidelined after the Battle of Britain was safely won. I suppose it is true to say that for reasons already discussed he is not an iconic figure, in the accepted meaning of the term. Indeed James quoted a female columnist from a quality newspaper (he didnt specify which, but I'm guessing The Guardian here) who admitted that until the publicity about the statue on the fourth plinth she had never heard of Park. James was scathing about the lack of knowledge displayed by a major journalist, but it sort of proves the point that whatever great qualities Park possessed he was not interested in self-publicity, and thus failed to achieve iconic status.
Bader will no doubt win, but he wont be getting my vote.