Angel of the South

This latter post gives the impression RJ Mitchell was a Southampton lad…..he is not, born in Stoke on Trent as pointed out previously. He worked in the Southampton area……….

Planemike

Rather than a new thread I thought I would add to this one , news today
http://www.thisishampshire.net/display.var.2131500.0.spitfireinspired_turbines_for_city.php

SOUTHAMPTON’S skyline could be on the verge of a dramatic change as wind turbines could soon be generating power in the city.

The council wants to start a consultation on building up to 20 medium sized turbines as part of its commitment to using more sustainable forms of energy.

The first would incorporate a design that reflects the Spitfire heritage in the city.

Campaigners have long been calling for a permanent memorial to the Spitfire that was designed by Southampton’s RJ Mitchell.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, Councillor Richard Williams, said: “When it comes to innovation it is only fitting that we look at how we can commemorate and pay tribute to one of Southampton’s greatest innovators of all – R.J Mitchell.”

Cllr Williams added that exploring the need for wind power in Southampton was essential if the city was to meet its renewable energy goal.

“Southampton is hugely proactive in tackling climate change,” he said.

“Over the coming weeks and months we will be looking carefully at the possibility of how we can generate significant energy in the city by using small to medium sized wind turbines.

“Wind turbines represent unique symbols of an area’s pledge to tackle climate change.”

The wind turbines would be built by the private sector on commercial or industrial sites at no cost to the tax payer.

They will be subject to complex procurement procedures and feasibility studies.

S*d Southhampton R.J. was a Staffs lad!!! So what about an “Angel of Butt Lane”!!!!!
Butt Lane is the area he was born in and to everyone including the North Staffordshire natives Butt Lane is in the Borough of Newcastle -under- Lyme and has nothing to do with Stoke – on – Trent;) :p

100ft high. Skeletal wings.

Simply stunning.

Mark

your wish is my command!

Thats the one! Excellent pic by the way:)

Ther is already a Replica Prototype Spitfire mounted like ths at the roundabout for the airport at Eastleigh and can be see travelling Eastbound on the M27 past J5. Unfortunately I am at the other end of the country so I cant get a pic of it

Martin

your wish is my command!

I like the idea.

Well, I like the idea of erecting a Spitfire memorial.

Although personally I would prefer something similiar to the Gloster E28/39 mounted on the roundabout, I would be glad to see a Spitfire themed ‘Angel of the South’ as opposed to some modern, unidentifiable twisted lump of ‘art’.

Just my personal view. Can be shared at no cost.

camlobe

Ther is already a Replica Prototype Spitfire mounted like ths at the roundabout for the airport at Eastleigh and can be see travelling Eastbound on the M27 past J5. Unfortunately I am at the other end of the country so I cant get a pic of it

Martin

You are more than welcome to take ours – its crap.

… It also resembles a Nazi symbol… something to do with either Lufthansa or the Luftwaffe. I’ve seen it on a propoganda poster from the late 1930’s….

a passing similarity to the Dornier logo.

I like it, but then again I love the Angel of The North…..was excited like a kid to see it in the flesh!
Sorry LL!

Any whoo, Southampton already has an ‘Angel of the south’

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/18/18315/Angel_of_the_South/Southampton

You are more than welcome to take ours – its crap.

It contributes to more accidents on the A1 than anything else.
“Look Dear, there’s the Angel of the North…. Damn, I’ve just driven into a truck”……..

It also resembles a Nazi symbol… something to do with either Lufthansa or the Luftwaffe. I’ve seen it on a propoganda poster from the late 1930’s….

LL (less than 2 miles from the Angel of the North)

Love the Spitfire idea though….

If I were a kid on the south coast, I would be fascinated with its form. Surely a big draw toward aviation for the young?

Seems a good idea 🙂

However in my opinion the best memorial we have for the Spitfire and those associated with it is the flying examples 🙂

Between one and two million would get the Walrus flying – restore the Swift F.7 to a good static state and probably buy the Swift F.4 from Shepperds .

That would be enough of a tribute to Southampton.

Angel of the South

I like the idea.

Well, I like the idea of erecting a Spitfire memorial.

Although personally I would prefer something similiar to the Gloster E28/39 mounted on the roundabout, I would be glad to see a Spitfire themed ‘Angel of the South’ as opposed to some modern, unidentifiable twisted lump of ‘art’.

Just my personal view. Can be shared at no cost.

camlobe

Marvellous, Southampton now has a chance to really put her self on the map… Not only for the people of Southampton, but also to the memory of the people who fought in the Second World War and to a legend of the R.A.F. The Spitfire and the pilots that flew her were the major part in the beginning of the end of Nazism in Europe…

So how do they envisage this monument to undoubtedly one of the greatest aircraft of all time…? By sticking one on its tail in the earth like a kid might stick a toy that has lost its owners interest… Ha!

It should be like this;

Banking, high above the earth in polished gleaming stainless steel, with three great supports radiating out from under the fuselage, down toward three ground monuments; one for R.J.Mitchell, the second to Roll-Royce and the Merlin and the third to the Battle of Britain and the Men & Women who served…

That is a monument, one made in tribute to those that fell so long ago to keep the wolves from our door…

I just saw this reading my local rag and came here to post about it , its much much better than many of the recent proposals both for a landmark for the area (non spitfire related) and a tribute to the spitfire/ RJ Mitchell , I also think its marvelous that they plan on adding a visitor centre so people can learn more and see its much more than a sculpture but a tribute aswell.
Problem is the proposed locations by a junction on the M27 , will there be enough incentive for people / famillies to drive there and look around the centre as opposed to it being somewhere central i.e down near the docks where it may be more accessible , on top of that the locations suggested are notoriosly bad for being traffic hotspots and for accidents too , having people eyeing the sculpture would surely add to this.
regards
John

Would look nice but I can hear all the cries of “copycat” and “unoriginal” – it’s too much like the Angel of the North.

Roger Smith.