A FUNDRAISING appeal to build a Spitfire monument in Southampton has taken off. 

The National Spitfire Project has launched its public appeal, coinciding with the 77th anniversary of VE-Day, to construct the Supermarine Spitfire monument.

Located in Mayflower Park, the 40-metre tall memorial will commemorate all those from more than 30 allied countries who designed, built, flew and maintained this aircraft during the Second World War.

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The monument has official backing at national and local levels – with £3m match funding promised by UK Government and the support of Southampton City Council.

Royston Smith, MP for Southampton Itchen and trustee of the National Spitfire Project, said: "The iconic Spitfire was instrumental in defending our country during the Second World War but particularly during the Battle of Britain.

"This country and our lives would have been very different but for the heroism of the young pilots who bravely took to the skies in R J Mitchell's magnificent feat of engineering.

Daily Echo: National Spitfire Monument National Spitfire Monument

"We are proud to call Southampton the home of the Spitfire and I am grateful to the Government for trusting us to deliver this project and for supporting it."

The Spitfire was designed by Reginald Mitchell at the Supermarine factory in Woolston.

This monument will be one and a half times the size of the original aircraft and is expected to be seen by more than seven million people every year.

Councillor John Hannides, Chairman of the National Spitfire Project, said: "The Spitfire is a great British icon.

"It embodies courage and hope against adversity, it is the epitome of engineering excellence and innovation, and it represents the spirit of collaboration too – diversity and unity, coming together for a common cause."