Southampton Spitfire Statue
Discussion
Looks like a very worthy tribute.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9300673.Landmark_S...
Hope it does get built.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9300673.Landmark_S...
Hope it does get built.
Lovely as it is, perhaps something honouring the work of RJ Mitchell and the Supermarine company that includes their other products as well might be more appropriate than yet another "Spitfire" celebration.
My cynical mind says to me that this is more to do with Southampton trying to produce a rival structure to Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower.
My cynical mind says to me that this is more to do with Southampton trying to produce a rival structure to Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower.
Eric Mc said:
My cynical mind says to me that this is more to do with Southampton trying to produce a rival structure to Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower.
I really like that! Only ever seen pictures, but does remind me of the Bhurj!We have a tethered balloon, which is fantastic, but many wrinklies (of which there are many) say that it has blighted the landscape
mildmannered said:
Eric Mc said:
My cynical mind says to me that this is more to do with Southampton trying to produce a rival structure to Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower.
I really like that! Only ever seen pictures, but does remind me of the Bhurj!We have a tethered balloon, which is fantastic, but many wrinklies (of which there are many) say that it has blighted the landscape
Nobaccymaccy said:
I agree - but notice from the link that the whingers have already started to complain about the cost .... sad when you think that it will also contain a pool of remberance for those who paid for that bloke's right to whinge at the cost of their lives .
The whinger was talking about the homeless - but there will always be homeless people just as there will always be poor people. So £2M there is pissing into the sea, like trying to feed the whole of Africa. Ain't gonna work.BUT I do feel that £2M on a rather pointless memorial (the Spitfire and BoB are pretty famous already) is a silly waste of money on 'art' when the entire country is screwed for cash.
Eric Mc said:
Lovely as it is, perhaps something honouring the work of RJ Mitchell and the Supermarine company that includes their other products as well might be more appropriate than yet another "Spitfire" celebration.
My cynical mind says to me that this is more to do with Southampton trying to produce a rival structure to Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower.
Given that there isn't a decent spitfire "celebration" other than a 2/3rd scale mockup plonked on a roundabout I think its kind of fair enough.My cynical mind says to me that this is more to do with Southampton trying to produce a rival structure to Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower.
Believe it or not outside of the aircraft geek world few people actually know what else Supermarine/Mitchell were responsible for. I can appreciate you may find the public love affair with the spitfire tiresome but for many its all they know.
Not sure how you can equate a 500ft steel tower to a 130ft statue or the need for either city to "keep up with the joneses".
Crafty_ said:
Given that there isn't a decent spitfire "celebration" other than a 2/3rd scale mockup plonked on a roundabout I think its kind of fair enough.
Believe it or not outside of the aircraft geek world few people actually know what else Supermarine/Mitchell were responsible for. I can appreciate you may find the public love affair with the spitfire tiresome but for many its all they know.
Not sure how you can equate a 500ft steel tower to a 130ft statue or the need for either city to "keep up with the joneses".
There's the whole Solent Sea/Sky Museum for a start - and that is due for a multi-million ££££ facelift as well.Believe it or not outside of the aircraft geek world few people actually know what else Supermarine/Mitchell were responsible for. I can appreciate you may find the public love affair with the spitfire tiresome but for many its all they know.
Not sure how you can equate a 500ft steel tower to a 130ft statue or the need for either city to "keep up with the joneses".
Maybe they should put a Walrus on the plinth - or an S6B.
I think it's entirely justified, it's not for us to decide when another memorial is enough.
I can't imagine the young men who gave their lives declaring 'that's my 4th Me 109' I'm done'
Anyway, it's better to see this (for me)
than some cow chopped in half, or a bucket of paint chucked on the floor.
I'm also all for memorials to RJ Mitchell, & similar worthy causes.
Lest We Forget
I can't imagine the young men who gave their lives declaring 'that's my 4th Me 109' I'm done'
Anyway, it's better to see this (for me)
than some cow chopped in half, or a bucket of paint chucked on the floor.
I'm also all for memorials to RJ Mitchell, & similar worthy causes.
Lest We Forget
Edited by Waynester on Thursday 13th October 07:27
I don't think that the chances of forgetting the Spitfire or those who flew them are are that high. What IS in danger of being forgotten is the fact that the RAF did not fly only Spitfires and that thousands more RAF airmen died flying other aircraft rather than Spitfires.
I would love some recognition of all the other aircrew and aircarft who died in other ares of RAF operations other than those who fought and died in Spitfires.
And as for the Fleet Air Arm (something very relevant to the cities of both Portsmouth and Southampton), they get almost no recognition at all.
I would love some recognition of all the other aircrew and aircarft who died in other ares of RAF operations other than those who fought and died in Spitfires.
And as for the Fleet Air Arm (something very relevant to the cities of both Portsmouth and Southampton), they get almost no recognition at all.
Indeed us Sotonians (born and breed here) do love the Spitfire, however as this thread identifies, there were other aircraft, I do find the nostalgia industry growing around the Spitfire a little odd.
Southampton City Council seem hell bent on Southampton becoming Spitfire City, a few years ago there was talk of 4 laser lights in the sky emanating from the city centre clock tower, shining north, east, south and west, apparently to demarc Southampton as ther centre of the south coast, projected cost of half a million, I wrote to the city council and the Evening Echo at the time suggesting the moeny be put towards the Solent Sky project to get the Supermarine Walrus flying boat back in the air, imagine that, a Supermarine flying boat landing on Southampton Water.
The Echo printed my letter, the Council binned the laser lights, Solent Sky sold the Walrus.
Scott Paine sold Supermarine and started British Powerboat Company, took the world water speed record twice, built endless racing motorboats and military torpedo boats etc, yet nothing from BPB is running in Southampton.
Southampton City Council seem hell bent on Southampton becoming Spitfire City, a few years ago there was talk of 4 laser lights in the sky emanating from the city centre clock tower, shining north, east, south and west, apparently to demarc Southampton as ther centre of the south coast, projected cost of half a million, I wrote to the city council and the Evening Echo at the time suggesting the moeny be put towards the Solent Sky project to get the Supermarine Walrus flying boat back in the air, imagine that, a Supermarine flying boat landing on Southampton Water.
The Echo printed my letter, the Council binned the laser lights, Solent Sky sold the Walrus.
Scott Paine sold Supermarine and started British Powerboat Company, took the world water speed record twice, built endless racing motorboats and military torpedo boats etc, yet nothing from BPB is running in Southampton.
mildmannered said:
andymadmak said:
Torquay?
Noooooooo......
"You aint seen me, roight?"
(sorry OP for the thread hijack - might have to start a new thread elsewhere for this!)
Eric Mc said:
Crafty_ said:
Given that there isn't a decent spitfire "celebration" other than a 2/3rd scale mockup plonked on a roundabout I think its kind of fair enough.
Believe it or not outside of the aircraft geek world few people actually know what else Supermarine/Mitchell were responsible for. I can appreciate you may find the public love affair with the spitfire tiresome but for many its all they know.
Not sure how you can equate a 500ft steel tower to a 130ft statue or the need for either city to "keep up with the joneses".
There's the whole Solent Sea/Sky Museum for a start - and that is due for a multi-million ££££ facelift as well.Believe it or not outside of the aircraft geek world few people actually know what else Supermarine/Mitchell were responsible for. I can appreciate you may find the public love affair with the spitfire tiresome but for many its all they know.
Not sure how you can equate a 500ft steel tower to a 130ft statue or the need for either city to "keep up with the joneses".
Maybe they should put a Walrus on the plinth - or an S6B.
(not my pic, but the one I took was just about identical I think)
The statue in its complete surroundings.
Sea planes, steam ships, old trams, Dunkirk little ships, tall ships
It will be quite an interesting place to visit if the whole deal ever comes off:
Proposed for here:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=50.8932...
The four square shaped pillars in the water just off the dock are listed structures and part of the original walkway down into the old flying boats.
Sea planes, steam ships, old trams, Dunkirk little ships, tall ships
It will be quite an interesting place to visit if the whole deal ever comes off: Proposed for here:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=50.8932...
The four square shaped pillars in the water just off the dock are listed structures and part of the original walkway down into the old flying boats.
ked at the moment, is it sensible to burn money on nostalgia? I suppose if the Titanic is going to sink anyway we may as well polish the handrails as a distraction...The port has given over the lease of the land for a peppercorn rent, the rest is a lot of separate heritage charties pooling together for a big Lottery grant and moving their current set up, so it may happen.
Dead handy for the port too, to get all the charity basket cases (like me!) in one place and out of the way of the paying ships (plus no doubt a 'sweetener' for their next stab at getting the Dibden Bay container terminal built).
Dead handy for the port too, to get all the charity basket cases (like me!) in one place and out of the way of the paying ships (plus no doubt a 'sweetener' for their next stab at getting the Dibden Bay container terminal built).
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