A 380 feet (116 metres) tall twisted beacon, taller than Britain's Houses of Parliament, is to be unveiled to commemorate the Battle of Britain.
The memorial may be built at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, north west London, and will be so tall that it would be visible from the centre of London. It will house a permanent exhibition about the Battle of Britain if construction goes ahead.
If built, it will be 64 feet taller than the Houses of Parliament's St Stephen's Tower, which houses the famous bell known as Big Ben, which is 116 feet tall.
The RAF Museum, which is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the battle, said the project may cost £80 million.
The Battle of Britain was the last battle to have been fought in Britain, starting on 10th July 1940 and ending on 31st October 1940. Despite the RAF being outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, it was a decisive British victory. 2,698 Luftwaffe crews lost their lives, compared to 544 RAF personnel.
Though it wasn't the first time the British heavily defeated the naughty continentals against the odds.
Reach for the sky: Ambitious plans unveiled for 116m tall beacon to commemorate the Battle of Britain
By Daily Mail Reporter
15th May 2010
Daily Mail
A twisted beacon taller than the Houses of Parliament could be created to remember the sacrifices made during the Battle of Britain.
The 380 feet (116 metres) tall landmark building is planned for The Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, north west London, and would be almost 64 feet (19 metres) taller than the famous clock tower at the Palace of Westminster.
The building, provisionally called the Battle of Britain Beacon, would be visible from the centre of London and will house a permanent exhibition about the Battle of Britain if construction goes ahead.
Beacon of Britain: Artist's impression of the new Battle of Britain memorial proposed for the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon in north London
The Royal Air Force Museum is currently marking the 70th anniversary of the air campaign and announced its vision for the future at a fundraising dinner last night.
Development director Keith Ifould said the project would cost an estimated £80 million secured through private funding and there are several interested parties.
The distinctive design has also been well received, he said.
Tales of valour: A display of a 'dogfight' envisaged on top floor of the beacon
‘We have had an amazingly positive response to it. Lots of people are saying 'this must be built'.’
It is hoped the building would allow wider public access and ensure that the museum's unique collection of Battle of Britain aircraft, memorabilia and archives is preserved for future generations.
Grand scale: An aircraft hangar is also planned for the site. This year see the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
The museum is consulting on its plans and hopes to complete the project within the lifetime of some of the surviving veterans of the Battle.
Nearly 3,000 RAF pilots, including hero Douglas Bader who lost both legs but carried on flying, were involved in the Battle, which killed 544.
Fighter pilot Douglas Bader, whose heroism was vividly recaptured in the film Reach For The Sky, took part in the Battle of Britain despite losing both his legs before the War. He shot down 22 aircraft.
dailymail.co.uk
The memorial may be built at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, north west London, and will be so tall that it would be visible from the centre of London. It will house a permanent exhibition about the Battle of Britain if construction goes ahead.
If built, it will be 64 feet taller than the Houses of Parliament's St Stephen's Tower, which houses the famous bell known as Big Ben, which is 116 feet tall.
The RAF Museum, which is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the battle, said the project may cost £80 million.
The Battle of Britain was the last battle to have been fought in Britain, starting on 10th July 1940 and ending on 31st October 1940. Despite the RAF being outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, it was a decisive British victory. 2,698 Luftwaffe crews lost their lives, compared to 544 RAF personnel.
Though it wasn't the first time the British heavily defeated the naughty continentals against the odds.
Reach for the sky: Ambitious plans unveiled for 116m tall beacon to commemorate the Battle of Britain
By Daily Mail Reporter
15th May 2010
Daily Mail
A twisted beacon taller than the Houses of Parliament could be created to remember the sacrifices made during the Battle of Britain.
The 380 feet (116 metres) tall landmark building is planned for The Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, north west London, and would be almost 64 feet (19 metres) taller than the famous clock tower at the Palace of Westminster.
The building, provisionally called the Battle of Britain Beacon, would be visible from the centre of London and will house a permanent exhibition about the Battle of Britain if construction goes ahead.
Beacon of Britain: Artist's impression of the new Battle of Britain memorial proposed for the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon in north London
The Royal Air Force Museum is currently marking the 70th anniversary of the air campaign and announced its vision for the future at a fundraising dinner last night.
Development director Keith Ifould said the project would cost an estimated £80 million secured through private funding and there are several interested parties.
The distinctive design has also been well received, he said.
Tales of valour: A display of a 'dogfight' envisaged on top floor of the beacon
‘We have had an amazingly positive response to it. Lots of people are saying 'this must be built'.’
It is hoped the building would allow wider public access and ensure that the museum's unique collection of Battle of Britain aircraft, memorabilia and archives is preserved for future generations.
Grand scale: An aircraft hangar is also planned for the site. This year see the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
The museum is consulting on its plans and hopes to complete the project within the lifetime of some of the surviving veterans of the Battle.
Nearly 3,000 RAF pilots, including hero Douglas Bader who lost both legs but carried on flying, were involved in the Battle, which killed 544.
Fighter pilot Douglas Bader, whose heroism was vividly recaptured in the film Reach For The Sky, took part in the Battle of Britain despite losing both his legs before the War. He shot down 22 aircraft.
dailymail.co.uk
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