New spitfire proposal to commemorate designer and machine

7:00am Friday 21st December 2007

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RJ MITCHELL proudly gazes skywards as he watches his most decorated fighter plane - the Spitfire - soar over Mayflower Park.

Rising up from the waterfront site, a bronze crest of wave tells the remarkable story of the Spitfire from Mitchell's rough sketchings to the first flight over Eastleigh and its eventual triumph at the Battle of Britain.

This is the latest proposal for a fitting monument to the iconic aircraft that could help put Southam-pton back on the map and give the city the elusive wow factor.

It was dreamt up by Daily Echo reader Colin Lee after the proposed Spitfire of the South was unveiled last month.

The 44-year-old from Freemantle said a tribute to the Spitfire was well overdue but the proposed structure - with the Spitfire standing upright on its tail - wasn't suitable.

"After seeing other people's ideas in the Daily Echo for the proposed Spitfire memorial, I was inspired to have a go myself," he said.

"I thought you need something simple and I wanted to give it a sense of motion in the sky, as it would have been over Southampton."

Inspired by artist Paul Day's Battle of Britain Memorial on the banks of the Thames, in London, Mr Lee said the sculpture should retell the Spitfire's history.

"Included would be the Supermarine factory in Woolston and the ordinary men and women who helped build the Spitfire who were dispersed around Southampton and Hampshire in small garages after the main factory was bombed.

"I am proud to say that I'm from Southampton and I don't think enough is done to promote the city's association with the Spitfire.

It is hoped the structure would stand more than 100ft high and could cost between £1m and £2m when it includes a visitor centre and observation area.

Funding for the attraction will be sought from government bodies, private business sponsorship and public subscription in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth.