A major milestone in the tribute to one of Britain’s greatest Second World War symbols has been heralded as “overwhelming” by supporters of the project.
The life-size Lancaster bomber landmark is being constructed in Lincolnshire to perch on the county’s border with Nottinghamshire near Norton Disney.
The charity building the structure has unveiled the completed frame of the iconic airplane to families and supporters at an industrial estate near Lincoln.
The £1million project, called 'On Freedom's Wings', progressed through donations of time and money from companies, councils and the general public.
The life-size Lancaster bomber landmark is being constructed in Lincolnshire to perch on the county’s border with Nottinghamshire near Norton Disney
Sarah Washbourn - Yellowbelly Photography
Ken Sadler, Chairman of Bomber County Gateway Trust said: “This is the first opportunity to assemble the structural frame in one piece so that people get to see the scale and size of what we’ve achieved.”
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew Britain's last remaining Lancaster Bomber over the site three times in celebration of the tribute.
The full-size sculpture of a real Avro Lancaster will weigh around 92 tonnes when completed - six times heavier than the real Second World War plane.
Lifted 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.
The charity is seeking another £50,000 in donations for it to be able to move forward constructing the steel ribs and cladding of the Lancaster, giving it the “final shape.”
Ken said: “As soon as we can get that we can flesh it out and plan a completion date.”
In March, GB News viewers donated an enormous £32,000 to the project, helping the charity reach the latest stage.
Timmins Engineering and Construction Ltd has volunteered £100,000 worth of labour designing and fabricating the frame.
"The tail section has been the hardest part," said Adrian Crosby, Workshop Manager at Timmins. "It's given me many sleepless nights."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The £1million project, called 'On Freedom's Wings', progressed through donations of time and money from companies, councils and the general public
Sarah Washbourn - Yellowbelly Photography
"I've missed time with my family, I've missed birthdays, but it's all for a good cause."
Dave Starling, Director at Timmins said:“It’s quite emotional to see it get to this stage.”
Like many in Lincolnshire, his grandparents served in the Royal Air Force during the war.
“I think this will serve as a constant reminder,” he said, “everyone gave so much.
The ultimate sacrifice was paid by thousands of people.” Adding: "this is the least we could do.”
The landmark is based upon a real plane, Lancaster R5689 (VN-N), that crashed near the site on September 18, 1942.
Overlooking the A46, which connects the East Midlands counties, the landmark will be seen by 34,000 drivers every day.
Dick Denby, aged 89, from Lincoln, said: “It’s wonderful that their making this effort to install the memory in perpetuity.”
The man remembers seeing the “skies always full of aeroplanes” while growing-up in wartime Lincolnshire. “It’s marvellous” he said.
An artist's impression of the completed landmark
“We lost so many men” said Helen Wheatley, 69, from Lincoln. “This means they’re not forgotten.”
“A lot of the young people today don't realise what was given up in those days,” said Cath Turner, aged 91, from Lincoln.
“It’s a massive trophy to the county” said Jed Doughty, 30, from Lincoln. “It’s gonna be great when it’s done.”
“I can't wait to drive past it” said Sharon Macallan, aged 60, from Boston.
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 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.
