A long-awaited life-size sculpture of a Lancaster Bomber has been erected alongside the A46 highway near Norton Disney, located on the border between Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The impressive memorial was finally installed last month after facing numerous challenges that delayed its completion for several years.
While the sculpture serves as a tribute to all personnel who flew and served in Bomber Command during World War II, it carries special significance with its coding VN-N. This designation specifically honors the aircraft that crashed in the nearby area in September 1942, adding a deeply personal connection to the local community and historical memory.
The ambitious project has faced a lengthy journey to completion, with the initial concept dating back over eight years. According to project organizers, several negative factors significantly contributed to the extended timeline and complicated the construction process. The COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the current cost-of-living crisis all presented substantial obstacles, with funding proving to be particularly challenging throughout the development period.
The successful completion of the sculpture required the dedicated efforts of numerous individuals and organizations working together. Timmins Engineering deserves special recognition for their role in manufacturing the complex structure, while Hutchinsons generously provided both transportation services and crane rental, offering their specialized expertise to guide this crucial phase of the construction process.
A project spokesman expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that made the memorial possible. "We are also grateful to the steel erectors who worked all weekend voluntarily with great skill and precision, and to everyone who donated to the project in one way or another, a fantastic effort," the spokesman stated, highlighting the community spirit that drove the project to completion despite the various challenges faced over the years.
