New sculpture honour for Dambuster heroes

By [mbrown]

Wartime heroics are to be honoured with a series of sculptures being donated to RAF Scampton, near Lincoln.

Three life-size busts depict the base's Victoria Cross winners, while a two-foot high bronze statue of Wing Commander Guy Gibson with his dog, commemorates the famous Dambusters raid.

The artwork has been created by 22-year-old student Jenny Barber, as the final project of her character creation course at the University of Hertfordshire.

Using archive photos, she first created the likenesses out of clay, before using cold casting techniques to produce the relatively lightweight metal and fibreglass structures.

"I'm really interested in history and aviation," she said.

"I was originally going to do something on Guy Gibson and Barnes Wallis for the Derwent Museum but they suggested I also speak to RAF Scampton as I could do something that would be special for the base."

The Derbyshire museum ultimately pulled out, at which point Ms Barber increased her involvement with the Lincolnshire airfield's historical museum.

Each bust took around 36 hours to complete with the statue taking more than 50 hours.

Gill Angel, community development officer at RAF Scampton, said they had jumped at the chance to have the work created for them.

"It's such a rare gesture these days," she said.

"Jenny has worked really hard and I think the work will be a credit to Scampton."

All three of the Victoria Crosses awarded to Scampton personnel were presented during the Second World War.

The statues will be handed over to the museum after the artist graduates in mid-July.

For more on the new statues for RAF Scampton, see Thursday's Echo.