Sir Keith Park Statue Unveiling

Update on locomotive 34053 Sir Keith Park;
http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/News/news.html

airart – I had missed your post and I completely agree. Having been elbowed aside in 1940 he went on to save Malta and establish the basis for the successful North African and Italian campaigns. This memorial is long overdue.

I would certainly be interested … but as for wealthy 🙁

The owners of ‘Battle of Britain’ class locomotive No 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ are appealing for funds to complete the rebuild of the locomotive:
http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/34053/34053_Tubes.html

Cotswold Steam Preservation (of which I’m a member) did a similar boiler tube sponsorship for our locomotive, GWR No 2807, which was successful. 2807 entered service at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in August 2010. It was a long slog but we made it!

Incidentally, its been brought to my attention that Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific “249 Squadron” at the East Lancs Rly is in possible danger of ending up as spares. This loco is an example of the unrebuilt version (unlike Sir Keith Park which was one which was rebuilt in the late 1950s) and is in worse than scrapyard condition. However, seeing the expertise with organisations such as Southern Locomotives, it can be seen that restoration is possible although daunting – a brand new tender would be needed for a start but this is nothing new for the restorers. As “249 Squadron” is one of only 3 “squadrons” to survive the cutters torch (“92 Sqn” and “257 Sqn” being the other 2) and that 249 Sqn included amongst its ranks the only Fighter Command VC winner – Flt Lt Nicholson, I am minded to see if there’s interest (and wealthy backers!) for a restoration campaign. Its not cheap (£1.5million I would estimate) but a certain delta winged aircraft society seems to ask for that sum regularly.
Sorry about thread creep and dig at wonderful Delta – not the same league I know! Anyway, there might be mileage in saving 249 Sqn. Once gone, that’s it.

Will it be at flying legends next year?

I would imagine that if you were to sponsor the completion of the rebuild and the transport costs that the owners would be delighted to let it attend!

The owners of ‘Battle of Britain’ class locomotive No 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ are appealing for funds to complete the rebuild of the locomotive

Will it be at flying legends next year?

The owners of ‘Battle of Britain’ class locomotive No 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ are appealing for funds to complete the rebuild of the locomotive:
http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/34053/34053_Tubes.html

I think Park was treated very shabbily, elbowed aside by the big egos.
Here is my pic taken yesterday and I like the statue, in the style of Nelson on his column. This mans victory was no less significant.

Pity not the slightest mention of Park’s contribution to the success of the Battle for Malta. He slowly but surely changed the situation from one of defence to offence. Great man, great strategist.

RJC

Looking forward to the next tribute to the great man:
http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/34053/34053_Restoration.html

Yes cant wait to see that running have it double header with Manston or 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair

Looking forward to the next tribute to the great man:
http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/34053/34053_Restoration.html

Yep great to have a statue up , bit of a camp pose though 🙂

Thanks for sharing that photo Sir !

Yes … a well noted & deserved honor for this man …. thanks for sharing !

BlueNoser352

I popped up there, plenty of pilots there but us great unwashed were kept at a distance, the Spit did a nice wing waggle as it flew over. Nice statue, well overdue.