Bomber crews from World War Two will be celebrated with a very special display at The Atkinson in Southport – and they need your help to make it a success!
World-renowned artist Suhail Shaikh is being commissioned to create a full-scale representation of the nose section of the iconic Avro Lancaster bomber which British and Allied aircrews flew so courageously during the conflict.
Last year SuhailShaikh created the stunning Supermarine Spitfire centrepiece of the Courage and Devotion exhibition at The Atkinson.
He spent 1,500 hours making his sculpture of the aircraft, almost entirely out of paper, which was one third of the size of a real Spitfire.
The Spitfire sculpture now hangs from the ceiling at the top of the stairway at The Atkinson on the first floor.
After honouring those who flew in Fighter Command in the RAF, there is real excitement about what Suhail will create to celebrate all those who served in Bomber Command.
A spokesperson for The Atkinson said: “During World War II, 57,205 Bomber Command aircrew lives were lost.
“To remember these individuals we are commissioning an artwork by artist Suhail Shaikh.
“This will be a full scale representation of the nose section of the Lancaster chosen to represent all the aircraft that once flew.
“This will be covered with images, articles, certificates, photographs, letters and other memorabilia of air and ground crew individuals.
“This is where we need your help! We are asking for people to submit any copies of ephemera relating to Bomber Command and the crews which will then be used in the sculpture.
“For more information or to submit your artwork, email joanne.chamberlain@sefton.gov.uk”
Last year Suhail Shaikh spent five months and hundreds of hours creating an exact replica sculpture of a World War II Supermarine Spitfire, to pay tribute to the brave Polish pilots who flew from Britain during World War II.
His ‘moment in time’ sculpture shows the exact moment, height and speed of the Spitfire being flown in 1942 by Polish pilot Sergeant Jerzy Stanislaw Zielinsky of the 308 Krakowski Squadron based at RAF Woodvale as it intercepted and shot down a Dornier German bomber off the coast of Southport.
The artwork was part of the Courage and Devotion exhibition which took place at The Atkinson on Lord Street in Southport from Saturday, 26th June 2021 until Saturday, 12th March 2022. The Spitfire is now available for people to view at The Atkinson, admission free.
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