A charity building a landmark tribute to the Lancaster bomber aeroplane is urging Britons to help complete the project by raising desperately needed funds.
The Bomber County Gateway Trust in Lincolnshire thinks the sculpture will be a reminder of “British values” at a time when they are in “short supply”.
A site in Norton Disney, on the border with Nottinghamshire, is already being developed for the structure called 'On Freedom's Wing's' while an enormous steel frame is being built at an engineering company near Lincoln.
Approximately £80,000 is needed to cover the final cost of materials like steel and additional labour after delays because of price rises.
Artist impression of sculpture
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Tail of Lancaster bomber scultpure
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Ken Sadler, Chairman of the Bomber County Gateway Trust, said: “When you talk about Lincolnshire it is inextricably linked to the RAF. Arguably the Lancaster defended the freedom we enjoy today.”
“People can treat it as a memorial if they like, but it is a landmark. Hopefully, this will remind people of the sacrifice and the British values that are in short supply that we hold dear and should hold dear.”
The charity has received £200,000 since launching the project in 2017, mainly from public donations, but also £10,000 each from Nottinghamshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council.
“People have dug deep and slowly but surely we are making it happen.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Dave Starling of Tmmins Engineering and Ken Sadler of Bomber County Gateway Trust
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Frame on site at Norton Disney overlooking A46
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The £1million project has received half a million pounds in free labour from companies, plus donated materials at a time when rising costs cause delays in progress
Dave Starling’s firm, Timmins Engineering and Construction, based in Caenby Corner near Lincoln thinks offering free labour is the “least we can do.”
Both of his grandparents were in the RAF during the Second World War. He said, “It’s nice to be able to do it and honour the Lancaster, it’s such a statement piece for Lincolnshire.”
“We are bomber county and proud of it. We’ve still got countless RAF bases so it’s nice to honour them.”
Back section of Lancaster bomber sculture
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A crane moves steel podium into place
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Lincolnshire was home to Bomber Command during the Second World War and most of the 7,000 Lancasters built were based in the county. Some 55,000 allied troops died flying with the section of the air force, including men and women from Canada, Australia, and Poland.
The full-size sculpture of a real Avro Lancaster will weigh around 92tn when complete, six times heavier than the real Second World War plane.
In place on a frame, the 32m wingspan tilted will make it taller than the Angel of the North in Tyne & Wear which is 20m high. Overlooking the A46, which connects the East Midlands counties, the landmark will be seen by 34,000 drivers every day.
The charity is hoping to reveal the finished landmark in September 2025.
Donations can be made by visiting the charity’s Just Giving page or website via the following link HERE
