First glimpse due of bomber sculpture On Freedom’s Wings sculpture, just off the A46 near Norton Disney.

Published: 06:00, 13 October 2019

The public will soon be able to get their first glimpse of a £750,000 sculpture being built next to the A46 in tribute to Bomber Command.

Work has started on phase two of the highly-anticipated On Freedom’s Wings sculpture, just off the A46 near Norton Disney.

The framework will be put in place over a three-day period from Monday.

On Freedom's Wings graphic by Mathius Dominoes. (18455851)

Ken Sadler, chairman of the Bomber County Gateway Trust, said thanks to the astonishing generosity of local businesses and firms, around £450,000 was provided, while £150,000 was raised by cash donations.

A steel podium and support will be put in place, courtesy of William Hare Ltd and TATA Steel.

“This will mean that, for the first time, motorists on the A46 will be able to see the work above ground and see exactly where the landmark is,” said Mr Sadler.

“We are expecting lots of interest from this point.”

The finished sculpture will measure 26 metres in length, 29 metres in height and have a wingspan of 31 metres, making it nine metres taller than the Angel of the North, a national landmark with which it hopes to compete in stature.

The last surviving Dambuster, George Johnson, formerly of Collingham, is a long-time supporter of the project.

He said: “The Lancaster was, in my opinion, the finest heavy bomber of the second world war.

“This sculpture will be recognised as a symbol of sacrifice made by nearly 58,000 men and women who served with Bomber Command.”

Phase three will see the plane structure take shape, which will be constructed by Timmins Engineering.

A2P2 will prepare the CAD files and provide the labour to clad the skin of the plane.

Once completed, the trust will be £150,000 short of its fundraising target, which would cover the costs for the final engineering designs and the steel.

Human Interest Newark Traffic and Travel Connor Thompson