Firm honoured to back Lancaster project
A Newark company has been appointed to help make the proposed A46 Lancaster bomber art installation a reality.
Jessops Construction will work with BSP Consulting, Nottingham, to get the project get off the ground.
The Bomber County Gateway Trust project wants to create a full-sized, Lancaster Bomber on Brills Farm, next to the A46 at Norton Disney.
The aircraft sculpture, made entirely of steel, will be suspended in mid-air giving the impression it is heading ‘home’ to RAF Swinderby.
Jessops Construction will draw on its wealth of experience in design and build, having successfully completed more than 100 major developments nationally since the company’s launch in 2000.
This project is particularly poignant for the firm’s managing director, Richard Wherry, whose great-uncle, Sergeant Alan Dabbs, enlisted as a Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with 50 Squadron and served as an air gunner on Lancaster R5902.
He said: “We are honoured to be involved in the construction of this fitting tribute to those who have given their lives for their country, many of whom died very young.
“The project will be overseen by our experienced team who, together with members of the Bomber County Gateway Trust, aim to create an iconic landmark that the whole region can be proud of.”
Jessops Construction has collaborated on other projects with the civil and structural engineering firm, BSP Consulting.
BSP director of structures Carl Hilton will be leading the project on the firm’s behalf.
He said: “Engineers at BSP are hugely experienced at structural engineering design for everything from multi-storey structures to individual bespoke construction projects, but this is a truly unique scheme that we are so proud and delighted to be a part of.
“It’s not often you are asked to design a structure to give the impression that a life-sized plane is flying.
“Our team has relished the challenge to get involved and create suitable designs for the structure of a sculpture that will be such an important and visually inspiring landmark.”
Trustee and project director Ken Sadler said: “The success of the project depends on a strong team of engineers, construction professionals and project managers and, in collaboration with these firms, we have a cohesive and capable team that shares our vision for the project.”
The ground-breaking ceremony on May 15 was attended by many decorated veterans, including George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, the last British survivor of the original members of No. 617 Dambuster Squadron, emphasising the importance of the project to both serving and retired service personnel.
Planning permission was unanimously granted by North Kesteven District Council in April.
The plane will have a wingspan of 31metres and will be mounted on a 10-12-metre stand, reaching a height of 30metres above ground.
The trust continues to raise funds for the project however work on site has started with ground investigations, which are currently taking place. Construction is expected to commence over the coming months.
A Just Giving page for donations to the project has been set up at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bombercounty gateway