The SAAF Forum

Thank you Dean.

Work has progressed at a lightning pace!

Early Sunday morning (7 Sept) this was the scene.



Late Sunday afternoon, some 10 hours after the above picture, this was the very enjoyable view.





Some statistics:-
Cost 1 million Sterling. Raised mostly from donations.
Weight 90 tonnes
Standing 29m / 95 feet tall (9m taller than the Angel of the North at Gateshead)
Wingspan 31m

The installation represents an Avro Lancaster bomber, in flight, heading “home” to RAF Swinderby, just 3km away. The site is particularly fitting, not only because of its perfect vantage point, but also because a number of aircraft, including Lancasters crashed nearby during the Second World War. The landmark will be seen by more than 35,000 drivers every day on the A46.
Although intended to be a reminder of all Bomber Command crews, one such aircraft, Lancaster R5689 (VN-N) crashed on 18th September 1942 as it limped home from a mission over the Baltic Sea and five members of its crew perished. Because that crash site is so close, and the fact that VN-N was also the most photographed Lancaster of the war it has been chosen as the basis of this landmark to serve as a permanent reminder of Lincolnshire’s link to war-time aviation.
(Bomber Gateway Trust)

https://www.bombergatewaytrust.co.uk/about/

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

Awesome! Thanks for posting and photographing.

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

My pleasure Dean.

Work on the sculpture / object of art / On Freedom's Wings seems complete. All the metal slats have been fitted to wings and fuselage, and the cranes have gone. Fencing around the sculpture is still in place, it is said to open 'officially' in the Autumn. I visited again early evening Tuesday 9th and was fortunate in that the site was quiet, which made for pleasant photography.

The following picture shows an 'eye size view' taken from the A46, showing what you'll see as you drive by.



With dusk setting in, the silhouette shows prominently.



Bomb aimer's bubble, front turret, cockpit canopy, top turret, and rear turret.



A beautifully presented sculpture of yesteryear glory adorning the southern gateway to Bomber County.



Sponsors:-
The Bomber County Gateway Trust is a Registered Charity with the object of designing, constructing and installing an iconic landmark art installation on the county border of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. To be known as ‘On Freedom’s Wings’.

https://www.bombergatewaytrust.co.uk/about/

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums