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“ON FREEDOM’S WINGS” – THE AVRO LANCASTER MODEL PROJECT

Avro Lancaster Model: How it began

In 2020, we started undertaking a massive project in collaboration with the Bomber County Gateway Trust. From start to finish, the Avro Lancaster Model Project has been an incredible endeavour to be part of.

We were asked to help build a full-size model of an Avro Lancaster bomber, including the substructure and cladding in a similar style to the Angel Of The North. This monumental task was a tribute to Lincolnshire’s incredible aviation history and something we’re proud to be involved with.

The Avro Lancaster model, designed to appear in flight as it heads towards RAF Swinderby, was an impressive undertaking weighing nearly 60 tonnes. Timmins Engineering has been proud to be at the heart of this project, fabricating the main structural skeleton to ensure a precise and authentic recreation.

A wing of the The Avro Lancaster Model Project | Timmins Engineering

The Build Process

Everyone involved was incredibly excited about the project’s launch. Seeing the initial designs come to life was incredibly motivating, as a lot of time has gone into it.

The structural skeleton (including the body, tail, and two wings) was assembled at our yard, which fortunately has 37 metres between buildings. This made our site big enough to accommodate the Avro Lancaster’s 31-metre wingspan with enough room to manoeuvre around it and eventually transport it to its forever home.

Adapting to Challenges

As with any large-scale project, we’ve faced our share of challenges along the way. We continuously revisited and tweaked to ensure we were able to provide structural integrity and adhere to historical accuracy.

Although this did slow down the project initially, we knew that providing an accurate design would be vital to its success. Our team has dedicated approximately 1,400 hours to detailing the model, focusing on intricate aspects such as mitre joints and other critical connections and all of this is before any steelwork was actually done!

A Project for the Community

The Bomber County Gateway Trust has been instrumental in rallying community support. Volunteers, friends, and even friends of friends who have all come forward to lend their time and expertise.

This project has truly become a community effort, highlighting the strong local ties and collective pride in our aviation heritage. It’s been great having people volunteer their time and expertise to help move this project forward.

A Personal Connection

We know that the passion driving this project has been deeply personal for many involved. Our Timmins’ team have grandparents who served in the RAF during the war and this was an amazing way to honour them.

This connection has instilled a sense of pride and honour in contributing to such a meaningful tribute. It’s not just about building a model; it’s about preserving a legacy for future generations to appreciate and remember.

The Finished Result

The completion of “On Freedom’s Wings” is not just a success for the county, but also showcases Timmins Engineering’s technical capabilities, demonstrating our expertise in handling large-scale, complex fabrication projects that demand both precision and innovation.

We hope that this project reflects our deep-rooted community values, highlighting our genuine commitment to preserving regional heritage and honouring the sacrifices of veterans.

A Legacy for Timmins and Lincolnshire

The successful delivery of this ambitious, multi-year endeavour proves Timmins Engineering’s ability to see challenging projects through from conception to completion, maintaining quality and dedication throughout an extended timeline.

Today, the sculpture serves as a permanent and striking advertisement for Lincolnshire, as well as Timmins Engineering’s capabilities. Visible to thousands of daily A46 users, “On Freedom’s Wings” will be recognised as a monumental engineering project.

How the Lancaster Model measures up

♦ Height: 29 metres (9 metres taller than Angel of the North)

♦ Wingspan: 31 metres

♦ Weight: Approximately 100 tonnes (60 tonnes structural skeleton)

♦ Material: Cor-Ten weathering steel for authenticity and durability

♦ Components: Four main fabricated sections (front, tail, two wings)

This project has been a work of passion for us, and we are so excited to share the final result with you.

While this project has been a massive success,  The Bomber County Gateway Trust continues to seek donations to support their important work.

Please visit the Bomber County Gateway Trust website for more information about the project or to support and donate.

Or get in touch to discuss your requirements for your next project.

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