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.
advertisement
"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.
Posted by: Sotonian, Southampton on 11:07am Fri 21 Dec 07
Well done Colin Lee. A design with a bit of flair and imagination - will it fly though ?
Mayflower park could do with this and something similar that celebrates Southampton's maritime heritage, making it a place that people will want to visit.
Well done Colin Lee. A design with a bit of flair and imagination - will it fly though ?
Mayflower park could do with this and something similar that celebrates Southampton's maritime heritage, making it a place that people will want to visit.
Posted by: Barry Mung, Southampton on 12:32pm Fri 21 Dec 07
I think it's great and as part of a bigger development it could be just what soton needs.
However, why is it that a mere "Echo reader", on presumably a budget of zero can come up with such a stunning design yet the council with millions of pounds at it's disposal came up with a load of old tosh??
I think it's great and as part of a bigger development it could be just what soton needs.
However, why is it that a mere "Echo reader", on presumably a budget of zero can come up with such a stunning design yet the council with millions of pounds at it's disposal came up with a load of old tosh??
Posted by: mangobean, Eastleigh on 2:43pm Fri 21 Dec 07
[quote]why is it that a mere "Echo reader", on presumably a budget of zero can come up with such a stunning design yet the council with millions of pounds at it's disposal came up with a load of old tosh??[/quote]
A very good question Barry.
Perhaps they'll waste a load more money in a survey or inquiry to find out why.
£100k to be told that the council is run by a bunch of **** who are massively out of touch with what their wards actually want/need, and worse than that, don't actually care.
why is it that a mere "Echo reader", on presumably a budget of zero can come up with such a stunning design yet the council with millions of pounds at it's disposal came up with a load of old tosh??
A very good question Barry.
Perhaps they'll waste a load more money in a survey or inquiry to find out why.
£100k to be told that the council is run by a bunch of **** who are massively out of touch with what their wards actually want/need, and worse than that, don't actually care.
Posted by: ex so'ton, Abingdon on 3:29pm Fri 21 Dec 07
Superb design, go for it-and is there room for an ice rink/dance hall as well? Would be nice and round off the whole developement as well, or would that get in the way of the [bold]annual[/bold] boat show?
Superb design, go for it-and is there room for an ice rink/dance hall as well? Would be nice and round off the whole developement as well, or would that get in the way of the annual boat show?
This design shows some real flair well done. There is, however, one problem the boat show (which pays no rent) will not like the loss of display space so this really nice piece of art is not likely to be built in Mayflower park. How about we take our city back, next time there is an election vote.
This design shows some real flair well done. There is, however, one problem the boat show (which pays no rent) will not like the loss of display space so this really nice piece of art is not likely to be built in Mayflower park. How about we take our city back, next time there is an election vote.
Posted by: June, Southampton on 5:44pm Fri 21 Dec 07
It wont ever happen, Rosy Cassy and her unelected partnership will make sure of that. Alec Samuels, Royston Smith give us some real leadership and a spitfire the city needs
It wont ever happen, Rosy Cassy and her unelected partnership will make sure of that. Alec Samuels, Royston Smith give us some real leadership and a spitfire the city needs
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
