Landmark bomber sculpture nears major milestone

Artist's impression of the sculpture, which will be by the A46 at Norton Disney

The framework for a life-size sculpture of a Lancaster bomber, set to stand in a Lincolnshire field, could be finished by the end of the summer, officials have said.

The tribute to RAF crews who served in World War Two will stand next to the A46 between Newark and Lincoln at Norton Disney.

The Bomber County Gateway Trust hoped it would be lifted into place in September.

Additional steelwork and cladding would then take place at the site, with a completion date of summer 2025.

Planning permission for the sculpture was granted in April 2018.

It is hoped the steel frame will be installed later this year before more work at the site takes place

Chairman of the trust, Ken Sadler said: “It will be a landmark, but some people will see it as a memorial too.

"It will be seen by 35,000 people a day, as they drive up and down the A46”.

Fabrication of the fuselage has taken place in two sections, with work on the rear half of the aircraft almost complete.

The wings are expected to be built in the next month.

Mr Sadler said, when complete, the sculpture will reach a height of 98ft (30m) above ground, making it “taller than the Angel of the North”.

Ken Sadler from the Bomber County Gateway Trust said the sculpture will be a "landmark"

Engineering and construction companies have given tens of thousands of pounds worth of labour and materials for free.

David Starling, the director of Timmins Engineering and Construction said both his grandparents had served with the RAF in the war.

He said: "I just thought it was a lovely opportunity to honour them and give something back".

The trust has already raised over £200,000 for the project and said it will need to raise another £80,000 to complete it.

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