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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 3, 2011 4:50:01 GMT 12
hoarding is now up around the construction area, covering quite a large footprint in the North West corner of The Green Park. As well as encompassing the ground on which the Memorial is being built, there is space for portakabins, used as offices and store rooms, parking for the plant needed for construction work, and room for manoeuvre and storage. Currently, work is taking place on the foundations for the Memorial, necessary before stone can arrive and building can begin.The weather recently with late September and October bringing some of the best weather of the year to London
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 3, 2011 11:43:25 GMT 12
Thanks for the news. I met the RAF Bomber Command Ass people in London last month for an update. The memorial design is impressive.   The ground work had been delayed by invredible levels of red tape, they even had to find two 100 year old oaks to replace the ones cut down.  The site is opposite the RAF Club in Picadilly. Four of the seven bronzes were complete and the tentative unveiling is June 2012. The NZBCA has applications from 52 aircrew veterans wanting to attend the unveiling and we are waiting on the Defence/Veteran Affairs Ministries to come up with a new travel support package. The help given to the recent trip by Crete Veterans wasn't acceptable and a new policy is being developed. The level of organisation needed in London is mind boggling as they need to fit around the Olympics, the Queens 60th Jubilee and have to cope with several hundred 85 + year olds at a venue where seating is difficult. However pre match and post cremony do's have already been arranged, one at the RAF Hendon Museum, so they have their priorities correct. Publicity about the memorial has uncovered "new" BC Veterans and Associatin members now exceeding 200. If forum members know of others please contact me by pm. NZBCA membership is free to all aircrew veterans. Many family members and aviation historians/enthuasists take up associate membership. There is a $10 application fee but no subs. Our site www.nzbombercommand.co.nz gives contact details or apply to spirits@xtra.co.nz Forum members are most welcome. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 3, 2011 13:11:20 GMT 12
i hate to see it but an open memorial like that with all that lovely white marble seems to me to be inviting tagging. I hope not. Will there be guards there 24/7?
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Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 3, 2011 13:53:34 GMT 12
I like the design. Dave, the Auckland War Memorial Museum gets tagged occasionally by scum; even an enclosed memorial would still be attractive to those who wish to express their crap art forms or territorial claims by way of the spray can.
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 3, 2011 14:14:38 GMT 12
Great photos!
I wonder if the names of all MIA/KIA will be on the walls?and are the four statues of crew from every country?
I'm not sure if there will be guards but i'm sure it will have a hundred camera's just like everywhere else in England.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 3, 2011 14:52:31 GMT 12
As far I was told the names of all casualties wont be listed as the Runnymeade Memorial has them and this is kept uodated.
The seven staues represent the crew of a heavy bomber and each will have the kit typical of his position ie gunner, w/op ,pilot etc.
Part of the red tape was to appoint and pay for maintainence in perpiturity ie for ever, and RAFBCA have appointed a services group ...The Royal Legion ?? to do the task.
AS Luther says anti terrorism surveilence is so tight in places like Picadilly by the time a tagger has got his can out he may be making friends with an SAS bod. Hopefully they then sell them into slavery.
In Spain no tagging to be seen ( they gaol them there) , France only the trains but not public buildings etc while Gold Coast police issue trespass notices , so job or not you are arrested if found there again. The best I came across was in Bristol where they stuck " IS GAY " signs under the tags, most were gone the next day. Finish of rant.
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 3, 2011 15:18:39 GMT 12
I have seen a few shows on Englands CCTV network and it's hard to get away with anything over there. Anyone who would tagg that spot should be shot on site.
Ok it's seven crew,It looks like four until you count the legs.
Is anyone here going to be able to make it to the opening?
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Post by skyhawkdon on Nov 3, 2011 17:55:18 GMT 12
I'm looking at a UK trip in June/July (out of there before the Olympics start!) next year so hopefully I'll get to see it. My great uncle was a pilot on 75 Squadron 1943/44 on Stirlings and Lancasters so it really means something to me.
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 3, 2011 18:13:24 GMT 12
Same with me.My Great Uncle was in 149th Squadron, MIA in a Stirling September 1943 in the Hanover raid. I would love to be there to see it.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 4, 2011 9:29:06 GMT 12
The latest info on the unveiling is June 28 but its not confirmed. As noted above , space will be restricted and it will be a ticket only event. Theres plenty of room in the park but with all the trees there may not be a view. I will post further updates as I get them.
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 4, 2011 17:19:49 GMT 12
Thanks for the updates.I hope someone video records it for us to see.
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 4, 2011 18:05:16 GMT 12
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Post by Luther Moore on Nov 4, 2011 18:08:21 GMT 12
Who can tell what statue is what crew member?
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