A team building a full-size Avro Lancaster alongside a major road says it needs a cash injection to keep the project in flight.
The completed landmark will sit above the skyline at 30m high appearing to be gliding alongside the A46 near Norton Disney. It will be seen by 34,000 drivers travelling between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire every day.
The Bomber County Gateway Trust has already raised £200,000 through donations but needs at least another £80,000 to finish the job.
“Other counties have their own landmarks. Lincolnshire doesn’t.” said Ken Sadler, Chairman of Bomber County Gateway Trust.
The landmark, called ‘On Freedom’s Wings', will be raised 15m above the ground
The landmark, called "On Freedom’s Wings”, will be raised 15m above the ground. When tilted, the Lancaster's 31m wingspan will make it taller than the Angel of the North which is approximately 20m high.
The charity says it’s relying on good will gestures from construction firms for the project.
Sadler said: “At this time of year people take an extra interest in what we’re doing and it gives us a nudge to get on with it."
“We’ve not had any funding from the Government or local authority.”
Lincolnshire was home of Bomber Command during the Second World War, boasting 46 airfields
Nottinghamshire County Council has given the project £10,000. So too has North Kesteven District Council.
Sadler says “It’s a shame Lincolnshire County Council who are the primary beneficiaries haven’t (donated)” but he’s hopeful they will in the future.
“We’ve had checks from little old ladies for £1000 and letters that would just break your heart.”
A team of 30 engineers are volunteering on the project, but more specialists are needed.
Ground excavations have already been completed at the site and in October 2019 a steel podium on which the Lancaster will sit was fixed in place with 1300 tonnes of concrete.
Johnny Johnson, the last surviving member of the Dambusters who died in December 2022, broke the ground in 2018 and was said to be “super excited” to see it finished.
Lincolnshire was home of Bomber Command during the Second World War, boasting 46 airfields and accommodating 80,000 RAF personnel from Canada, Australia, America and Poland, plus Brits.
“If you go to Lincolnshire, you are almost falling over Second World War airfields, some of which are still in use," said Ken. "Every family in every town has some connection with it."
55,000 airmen from Bomber Command lost their lives during the war.
Although it isn’t designed to be a war memorial, Ken says people are welcome to hold services beneath the wings when finished.
The charity hopes Remembrance will encourage more donations for the landmark.
“The RAF runs through the blood here in Lincolnshire. I think everybody right minded in the country know the debt of gratitude we pay to all the armed forces.”
The plane is designed from a Lancaster that crashed in woodland close to the A46 in September 1942 in which five of the seven aircrew died.
