Southampton's Spitfire memorial

Kyt · Sep 29, 2008

How city's Spitfire memorial will look (From Daily Echo)

THE final design for Southampton’s proposed tribute to the Spitfire can today be unveiled by the Daily Echo.

Soaring 160ft into the city skyline and with a wingspan of 110ft – three times the size of the legendary fighter plane – the memorial is set to become an internationally recognised landmark.

A location for the towering monument remains a secret, however negotiations with a landowner are at an advanced stage.

It is the latest boost to the Echo’s campaign for a tribute to the Spitfire, and the men and women who built and flew it, after Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave his public backing in the summer.

Designed by renowned British sculptor Kenneth Potts, the wire-mesh styled Spitfire will be held aloft by three enormous pylons.

Swooping in the sky, the distinctive shape that made the Second World War aircraft instantly recognisable will be visible from vantage points across the city.

At night, lights projected onto the stainless steel sculpture will illuminate it in its numerous battle camouflages.

Colours would include the brown and green used during the Battle of Britain in 1941, the green and grey used in conflicts over Europe and the black and white invasion stripes of D-Day.

The city council commissioned three artists to submit proposals and the winning design was chosen by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation, a group of council, business, media and aviation leaders.

Councillor John Hannides, the foundation chairman, said the sculpture was true to RJ Mitchell’s original design and would be the icon that defines Southampton.

“Now that we have an agreed design I hope it will capture the imagination of the people of Southampton who will help us make it a reality,”

said the Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage.

Artist Potts – who created a number of military memorials – said the Spitfire was the most ambitious of his career.

“There are not many pieces of sculpture anywhere that are of this scale. It’s not only a landmark for Southampton, but a landmark for Britain – it is a piece that could rival America’s Statue of Liberty,” he said.

Mr Potts said the stainless steel mesh and colourful lighting of the Spitfire was an important feature of his proposal.

The original Angel of the North-inspired concept to stand the Spitfire on its tail, which received a mixed reaction since being revealed late last year, has been abandoned.

A full feasibility will now be carried out, including the testing of a scale model in a wind tunnel and detailed research into the construction.

The foundation has so far raised £30,000 from sponsors and the city council has committed £70,000.
Click to expand...

Kyt · Nov 17, 2008

Spitfire tribute plan approved (From Daily Echo)

NEW York has the Statue of Liberty, Portsmouth has the Spinnaker Tower – now Southampton will at last have its own iconic waterfront landmark.

The Daily Echo can today reveal that an enormous tribute to the Spitfire will rise up at Town Quay.

Swooping in the sky, the distinctive shape that made the Second World War aircraft instantly recognisable will be visible from vantage points throughout the city and across Southampton Water at Hythe.

Towering 180ft over the waterfront skyline with a wingspan of 110ft – three times the size of the legendary fighter plane – the stainless steel structure is set to become one of Britain’s most famous landmarks.

Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns Town Quay, has backed the ambitious £1.5m plans drawn up by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation.

Port director Doug Morrison yesterday told the Daily Echo it was the perfect location.

“It would be the iconic building that Southampton needs and we need to recognise what RJ Mitchell did and the role the Spitfire played in the Second World War,” he said.

Conservative councillor John Hannides, the Spitfire Tribute Foundation chairman, approached ABP with the proposal after scouring the city for a suitable location.

The Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage said Town Quay would allow residents and tourists to see the Spitfire “in all its glory”.

“This is a momentous decision taken by ABP and I would like to particularly extend my thanks to Doug Morrison for championing this proposal,” Cllr Hannides said.

Campaigner and Solent Sky Museum curator Alan Jones said: “This is going to go all over the world. Whenever you pick up a brochure on Southampton this aeroplane is going to be on the front of it.”
Click to expand...

Kyt · Nov 17, 2008

Mighty Spitfire monument gets mixed reaction (From Daily Echo)

TOWERING over Southampton’s waterfront skyline it will be a lasting tribute to the Spitfire.

Billed as the city’s rival to the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, it is set to take pride of place at the end of Town Quay to greet the thousands of cruise passengers who visit the city every year.

The British designer of the memorial has even gone so far as to say that it will be the city’s equivalent to New York’s Statue of Liberty.

But while Hampshire residents agree that the stainless steel structure will certainly be an impressive landmark, it seems that planners may have missed a vital selling point.

How can it rival the likes of these two other landmarks if you can’t actually climb up it to admire the view?

This was a point aired by several city residents including Southampton cleaner Shirley Broadbere.

The 63-year-old, of Brockley Close, Lordshill, said: “I think it’s a good idea because we need a memorial to the Spitfire. But I don’t think it’s going to rival the Spinnaker Tower as you can’t actually go up it.

“You can’t do anything but look at it. But I think it will look good when people coming into Southampton see it.”

Southampton pensioner Derek Giladjian echoed the same concern. The 81-year-old, of Warren Crescent, Shirley Warren, added: “I think as there were a lot of Spitfires made in South-ampton it is a good idea. It will look good as a landmark but you won’t be able to go up it, which is a major drawback.

“I think the Spinnaker Tower is fantastic as you can admire the views and have a coffee there. There’s not much to see in Southampton once the cruise liners are at sea though. But it would improve the view when you come into the docks.”

As revealed, the enormous tribute following a Daily Echo campaign, will tower 180ft over the waterfront skyline with a wingspan of 110ft – three times the size of the legendary fighter plane.

Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns Town Quay, has backed the ambitious £1.5m plans drawn up by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation.
Click to expand...

Antipodean Andy · Nov 17, 2008

Great idea, I reckon. A little over the top perhaps but imagine having an office nearby. You could stare at it all day and just daydream...

Kyt · Nov 18, 2008

Personally I think it a little overblown. But it seems better than the idea of a Spitfire sitting on its tail and its wings outstreched - looking just like an aircraft version of the Angel of the North

Log in or Sign up

Southampton's Spitfire memorial

Kyt Άρης

Attached Files:

SouthSpit.jpg

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Antipodean Andy New Member

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Southampton's Spitfire memorial

Thread Tools

Kyt Άρης

Attached Files:

SouthSpit.jpg

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Antipodean Andy New Member

Kyt Άρης

Share This Page

Useful Searches