Sites for giant Spitfire memorial earmarked
A SHORTLIST of three sites for Southampton's answer to the illustrious Angel of the North has been selected.
While the possible locations are being kept secret for now, planners say the monumental Spitfire sculpture will greet millions of visitors to the city each year.
Standing upright on its tail, the Spitfire of the South could stand up to 100ft tall and transform the city skyline.
Two of the identified locations are on the city's northern edge, while a third lies within Southampton City Council boundaries.
The chosen location will have to meet a set criteria that include maximum public visibility, a site of geographical prominence, a site with an extended sight line, a recognisable gateway feature and in close proximity to a major road network or junction.
While support for a memorial to the great Second World War fighter plane is growing, the ambitious design has received a mixed reaction from the public since it was unveiled a month ago.
The Spitfire Tribute Foundation - made up of business leaders, council, military and the media, and including the Echo - this week unanimously backed the initial concept.
The tribute to designer RJ Mitchell and his Spitfire would also include a visitor centre and observation area.
Funding for the metal structure will be sought from government bodies, private business sponsorship and public subscription, both in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth.
The council has already earmarked £70,000 to investigate the design, planning and feasibility.
However, no further taxpayers' money will be used to pay for construction.
12:29pm Tuesday 1st January 2008
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CommentPosted by: Harry Remmington, New Forest on 1:01pm Tue 1 Jan 08
£70,00.00 wasted
Posted by: Graham Smith, Southampton on 1:18pm Tue 1 Jan 08
This could have been thought out much better. Why does the council not build a massive spitfire covered in photo voltaic solar panels. This could then be sold back to the grid. This in turn would pay for the structure and save millions of tones of CO2 [bold]www.grayhatch.com[/bold] At this site we prove it works on benches etc. Graham Smith
This could have been thought out much better. Why does the council not build a massive spitfire covered in photo voltaic solar panels. This could then be sold back to the grid. This in turn would pay for the structure and save millions of tones of CO2
www.grayhatch.com At this site we prove it works on benches etc. Graham Smith
Posted by: Denzil, Romsey on 1:34pm Tue 1 Jan 08
How about an ice rink?
Posted by: King Mush, Woolston on 1:49pm Tue 1 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Denzil[/bold] wrote:
How about an ice rink?[/quote] Cheapskate! Happy New Year Denzil you old troll!
I bet you have just broken your NY Resolutions and carried on into 2008?
Mind you - how about having an ice rink then build a Spitfire modelled surface cleaner that can zip round the rink as waiting skaters sing WW2 songs?
Oh - and a Happy New Year to everbody else.
Denzil wrote:
How about an ice rink?
Cheapskate! Happy New Year Denzil you old troll!
I bet you have just broken your NY Resolutions and carried on into 2008?
Mind you - how about having an ice rink then build a Spitfire modelled surface cleaner that can zip round the rink as waiting skaters sing WW2 songs?
Oh - and a Happy New Year to everbody else.
Posted by: Denzil, Romsey on 1:51pm Tue 1 Jan 08
[quote][bold]King Mush[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Denzil[/bold] wrote: How about an ice rink?[/quote] Cheapskate! Happy New Year Denzil you old troll! I bet you have just broken your NY Resolutions and carried on into 2008? Mind you - how about having an ice rink then build a Spitfire modelled surface cleaner that can zip round the rink as waiting skaters sing WW2 songs? Oh - and a Happy New Year to everbody else.[/quote] I was joking! Happy new years mush.
King Mush wrote:
Denzil wrote: How about an ice rink?
Cheapskate! Happy New Year Denzil you old troll! I bet you have just broken your NY Resolutions and carried on into 2008? Mind you - how about having an ice rink then build a Spitfire modelled surface cleaner that can zip round the rink as waiting skaters sing WW2 songs? Oh - and a Happy New Year to everbody else.
I was joking! Happy new years mush.
Posted by: R.J Mitchell, Woolston on 2:43pm Tue 1 Jan 08
WHy do the Echo persist in showing this ridiculous spitfire-on-its-tail design - all this will do is create scorn and ridicule as being a straight copy of the Angel of the North. The Spitfire was a success because its design was original and innovative, so why make its monument unoriginal and derivative?
I am turning in my grave.
WHy do the Echo persist in showing this ridiculous spitfire-on-its-tail design - all this will do is create scorn and ridicule as being a straight copy of the Angel of the North. The Spitfire was a success because its design was original and innovative, so why make its monument unoriginal and derivative?
I am turning in my grave.
Posted by: Council WORKER, Southampton on 3:04pm Tue 1 Jan 08
2 areas in the North....near the new pikey site then, great welcome (innit)
2 areas in the North....near the new pikey site then, great welcome (innit)
Posted by: hdc, at home on 4:07pm Tue 1 Jan 08
waste of money £70,000.00 just to investigate the design,
here ill do it for free its c***
waste of money £70,000.00 just to investigate the design,
here ill do it for free its c***
Posted by: Shazza on 6:14pm Tue 1 Jan 08
Why don't they give me the money I'll get beered up and walk the streets of Southampton. An entertaining vagrant drunk could be the wow factor this city is so vitally missing.
Why don't they give me the money I'll get beered up and walk the streets of Southampton. An entertaining vagrant drunk could be the wow factor this city is so vitally missing.
Posted by: la la, southampton on 7:23pm Tue 1 Jan 08
prefer to see spitfire at an angle not straight up it will look wrong I saw plenty of these flying during the war years, but not one sat on its tail
prefer to see spitfire at an angle not straight up it will look wrong I saw plenty of these flying during the war years, but not one sat on its tail
Posted by: Becky B, Woolston on 8:58pm Tue 1 Jan 08
lets hope its not done by the same numpty that did the Ted Bates statue
lets hope its not done by the same numpty that did the Ted Bates statue
Posted by: King Mush, Woolston on 12:52am Wed 2 Jan 08
[quote][bold]la la[/bold] wrote:
prefer to see spitfire at an angle not straight up it will look wrong I saw plenty of these flying during the war years, but not one sat on its tail[/quote] Dammit old bean. You mean you never saw the Spitfire VTOL prototype that was developed right here by the banks of the Itchen??
Sat on its tail and ready to shoot straight up without needing an airstrip.
Got as far as Radstock Road.......
la la wrote:
prefer to see spitfire at an angle not straight up it will look wrong I saw plenty of these flying during the war years, but not one sat on its tail
Dammit old bean. You mean you never saw the Spitfire VTOL prototype that was developed right here by the banks of the Itchen??
Sat on its tail and ready to shoot straight up without needing an airstrip.
Got as far as Radstock Road.......
Posted by: Robert on 4:15am Wed 2 Jan 08
What does the Spitfire on its tail do next?
It pursues its high-speed vertical course in the direction of the ground and after a further mini-second it's become a crater in which it's swallowed up forever and ever.
What does the Spitfire on its tail do next?
It pursues its high-speed vertical course in the direction of the ground and after a further mini-second it's become a crater in which it's swallowed up forever and ever.
Posted by: Cynic, Southampton on 11:48am Wed 2 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Denzil[/bold] wrote:
How about an ice rink?[/quote] Good idea. Build a 600 foot Spitfire of the South on top of an ice rink. The fuselage could accomodate a lot of flats. The propellor could be a revolving restaurant & viewing gallery. Each wing could house a walkway & platform for bungy jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, etc. They could even hang advertising or festive lights for religious occasions of all creeds, that would be visible from miles around, and just think of the magnificent helter skelter or flume that would be possible.
Denzil wrote:
How about an ice rink?
Good idea. Build a 600 foot Spitfire of the South on top of an ice rink. The fuselage could accomodate a lot of flats. The propellor could be a revolving restaurant & viewing gallery. Each wing could house a walkway & platform for bungy jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, etc. They could even hang advertising or festive lights for religious occasions of all creeds, that would be visible from miles around, and just think of the magnificent helter skelter or flume that would be possible.
Posted by: Benji, Soton on 12:06pm Wed 2 Jan 08
I think the Echo has made an error in the article instead of
"Southampton's answer to the illustrious Angel of the North"
It should read
"Southamptons blatant copy of the Angel of the North"
I think the Echo has made an error in the article instead of
"Southampton's answer to the illustrious Angel of the North"
It should read
"Southamptons blatant copy of the Angel of the North"
Posted by: King Mush, Woolston on 8:54pm Wed 2 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Cynic[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Denzil[/bold] wrote: How about an ice rink?[/quote] Good idea. Build a 600 foot Spitfire of the South on top of an ice rink. The fuselage could accomodate a lot of flats. The propellor could be a revolving restaurant & viewing gallery. Each wing could house a walkway & platform for bungy jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, etc. They could even hang advertising or festive lights for religious occasions of all creeds, that would be visible from miles around, and just think of the magnificent helter skelter or flume that would be possible.[/quote] Nice post! Good ideas and worthy of consideration at the next council meeting.
Happy New Year to you as well.........
Cynic wrote:
Denzil wrote: How about an ice rink?
Good idea. Build a 600 foot Spitfire of the South on top of an ice rink. The fuselage could accomodate a lot of flats. The propellor could be a revolving restaurant & viewing gallery. Each wing could house a walkway & platform for bungy jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, etc. They could even hang advertising or festive lights for religious occasions of all creeds, that would be visible from miles around, and just think of the magnificent helter skelter or flume that would be possible.
Nice post! Good ideas and worthy of consideration at the next council meeting.
Happy New Year to you as well.........
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