Awesome Lancaster Bomber

A full scale replica of a Lancaster Bomber is to be built. On Freedom’s Wings is an ambitious project to build a full-scale replica sculpture of the iconic Lancaster bomber, between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Lancaster Bomber

Lancaster Bomber's are very large, they are 26m long and have a 31m wingspan. This will make the installation taller than the Angel of the North, which stands 20m tall. The sculpture will be mounted on a steel frame to give the impression it is in flight.

The ambitious landmark will be seen by more than 34,000 drivers every day on the A46. Lincolnshire is inextricably linked to aviation and in particular its home to the RAF in the Second World War. More than 125,000 men served as aircrew in Bomber Command during World War Two.

The site is particularly fitting, not only because of its perfect vantage point, but also because a number of aircraft, including Lancaster's crashed nearby during the Second World War. Although intended to be a reminder of all Bomber Command crews, one such aircraft, Lancaster R5689 (VN-N) crashed on 18 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. Steel support beams have already been erected at the site, just off the A46 near Norton Disney.

However, progress has since stalled due to the continued rising cost of materials off the back of the covid pandemic.

Around £150,000 has been raised so far for the project work, while there has been a further £400,000 worth of goodwill services and materials from businesses. But, at least £90,000 more is needed for the steel work so further funding is required for the project. The timescale for the project depends on how quickly funds can be raised, as well as finding more firms who would like to support creating the sculpture.

The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engine heavy bomber used by the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces during World War II.

Of the 7,377 aircraft built, 3,736 were lost during the War (3,249 in action and 487 in ground accidents).

Today, 17 remain in complete form: two are airworthy, and two others are in taxable condition with working engines.

You can find out more and donate to the project HERE.

If you'd like to see a video of a Lancaster Bomber, you can check out a short video on our YouTube video HERE.