RAF Museum plans vast monument to Battle of Britain

Taken from Times Online;
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7125952.ece

It is worth looking at the video on the link

Mentioned alongside landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster, the Beacon of Hendon may sound incongruous. But the London suburb previously notable for its proximity to the M1 and the police college is to have a monument that will dominate the skyline.

In a project to rival Angel of the North in scale, the Royal Air Force Museum is proposing a 116m (350ft) tribute to the Battle of Britain.

The museum hopes that the £85million spiralling metal structure, with suspended Spitfires and Hurricanes that will simulate the dogfights of 1940, will be far more than a distraction for passing motorists. Keith Ifould, the museum’s development director, said: “It will mark the gateway to London.”

But the museum may first have to do battle with people living in the area. Harley Atkinson, of the Hampstead Heath Society, said: “I have respect for the objective but we are concerned about it intruding on views from the heath. It sounds like it would stick out like a sore thumb.”

Alison Hopkins, from a local residents group, said that while a monument to the Battle of Britain was a wonderful idea, it “doesn’t seem appropriate for the area”. Ms Hopkins said: “The council is very fond of grandiose schemes. They have started building high-rise tower blocks all over the place; it used to be very suburban here.”

The project follows proposals for a 115m tower at the Olympics site in East London, and a 50m horse near the Eurostar station near Ebbsfleet, Kent.

A fundraising campaign will be announced this summer. The museum hopes that the beacon can be built in the lifetime of veterans of the battle.

Visitors will move through a ground-floor exhibition before being “scrambled” via a high-speed lift to the top of the building, where replica aircraft will be on display with sounds of aerial battle. The roof will offer panoramic views of London and there will also be interactive audiovisual displays telling the story of the battle.

Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye, the museum’s director-general, said that the importance of the battle was such that it merited a significant commemorative building. “It’s about how the collective endeavours, determination and courage in the face of a huge threat to the world succeeded,” he said.

He hoped that the building would form part of the regeneration of the area in North London, including improved transport links. “The new structure will be a ‘beacon of freedom’ providing a witness to the sacrifices made by pilots and ground crews from over 13 nations who took part in the Battle of Britain. Its presence will help to reawaken traditional values of citizenship, commitment, self-sacrifice and community.”

The project, by the architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, will incorporate the latest energy and environmental technology.

This is the website for the project;
www.battleofbritainbeacon.org/

Gosh - they seem to be getting the cash from somewhere for all these new memorials - I thought times were hard. Then I noticed the last line...

The project, by the architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios...

Any relation to Cameron, Clegg....

Graham

As soon as I saw the price tag, who the hell is going to pay that much. Thats million less to needy causes. You could spend a lot less on Kenley and turn that into a wonderful B of B memorial. And the state already owns the free hold!

Yes Paul but how can we move Bicester to sit on a prominent hill just off the M1.

I too am on the fence with this one. My immediate response is that a 120 metre structure jutting up into the Heathrow race track pattern would be unwelcome. I note too, that charity donations are invited so I expect the general public to show their interest - or lack of it - in that manner. Yes, better put it towards maintaining Bicester.

£85 million pounds?..good grief!

The whole concept of a huge spiralling metal structure, with suspended Spitfires and Hurricanes that will simulate the dogfights of 1940 to me sounds...well,... slightly....tacky. But being funded from donations, the planners can, provided planning permission is granted, do what they want, I dont think I would contribute though.

As regards a memorial to the Battle Of Britain, we have the wonderful Monument in London, and the excellent structure at Capel le Ferne. Would placing this at the bottom of the M1 really invoke memories of the dark days of 1940?

I love this part...Its presence will help to reawaken traditional values of citizenship, commitment, self-sacrifice and community.” When I get to the bottom of the M1 all I think about is the hell I'm about to enter on the North Circular and beyond.

Simple solution Number One
They could ask the AB..beezlebub, beezlebub.. if they would build a mound of earth, and plonk one of their stones on it.. job done at a fraction of the cost!

An interesting idea, certainly better than the idea for that sculpture by the olympic stadium. But how exactly should it be funded? My suggestion would be lottery funding.

Incidentally theres a plan for an aircraft sculpture by junction 32 of the M6, its to symbolise the aircraft industry in Preston.