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08/06/2010 02:06:52 PM · #1
Hello all - it's been a while!

Just thought I'd draw some gratuitous attention to a recent project I undertook – to design a £2m statue for the Supermarine Spitfire to be built at Southampton where it was designed and built. It was an open competition and I've sent my entry off now (closing date Monday). It was designed in my head and built in Lightwave 3D. Any comments, positive or otherwise welcome – and if there are any sculptors, architects out there who have words of wisdom then that would be good too.





(warning: large images)

Cheers
Jon
08/06/2010 02:19:08 PM · #2
That's cool as hell. I'd probably go visit Southampton just to see it if it were built. Would it actually capable of supporting itself?
08/06/2010 02:27:26 PM · #3
Wow you're talented!!
08/06/2010 02:28:24 PM · #4
Thanks! I mentioned in my notes to the proposal that it possibly wouldn't without a full survey of materials/location, etc.! The central cantilever may have to be thicker/stronger and the angles slightly elevated and so on. Hopefully not too far off though!

Oh - and the large images are here:
Image 1
Image 2

: J
08/06/2010 02:33:49 PM · #5
That looks awesome. If they don't build it, there's probably an aviation museum/patron somewhere that would (or commission it at least).
08/06/2010 02:49:34 PM · #6
Thank you karmat - and I'd certainly love to find someone willing to spend the sort of money to build it if it doesn't succeed!

Edit - and thanks Karen too!

Message edited by author 2010-08-06 14:50:10.
08/06/2010 02:53:28 PM · #7
that is one the of best sculptures i have ever seen , it is really brilliant

reading your notes in the second paragraph , The part about England one being great and can be again, reads awkwardly. I think it is the 'has' in there (That Britain has once been great and she can be once again)



Message edited by author 2010-08-06 14:59:05.
08/06/2010 02:54:20 PM · #8
X!
08/06/2010 02:58:14 PM · #9
A million times better than some of the so called memorials that spring up these days. 110% pure awesomeness!

However young man, where the devil have you been??!?!

EDIT - Just checked it out again and you have really captured the essence of the Spitfire - I bet if you pitched this at the spitfire pilots who are still alive they would love this to pieces.

Message edited by author 2010-08-06 14:59:57.
08/06/2010 03:16:44 PM · #10
I think its FANTASTIC! Beautiful and a wonderful tribute!
08/06/2010 03:37:32 PM · #11
A stunning memorial to a simply stunning and iconic aircraft of WWII. It has an enduring place the hearts of Brits and this memorial captures the grace and elegance of the Spitfire. I'm not so sure that the roundel is really necessary to convey the image and could be dispensed with, my only criticism. I hope It gets serious consideration.

I can also see it becoming a desktop or mantel item, obviously on a smaller scale:))
08/06/2010 03:57:02 PM · #12
I'm an aerospace Engineer..................I am often more critical of these 'Art' Monuments than others...........

However, this is just Stunning................

Structurally, without doing the math, I reckon its possible.......the Spitfire replica could be built relatively light, and the supports could be made strong enough for the weight........Wind strength may be a problem maybe..........but thats where the maths comes...

Would love to see this built.........If not in Southampthon, then somewhere.........

Disagree with SteveJ, the Roundel is Vital.......this was the RAF's finest moment........
But yes, once built, desktop models would be brilliant....I would want one myself........

Congrats in advance....if you don't for some reason win this, send it to anyone else who might be interested, cause the design is just brilliant.............and needs to be built
08/06/2010 04:02:55 PM · #13
Originally posted by kaiser_chief:



Disagree with SteveJ, the Roundel is Vital.......this was the RAF's finest moment........


I realised the importance of the Roundel, however my reason for feeling it is out of place is that, 1. Everything on the memorial is sleek and metallic, the roundel just jars for me. 2. It becomes a maintenance issue, the need to repaint or recolour every so often. The roundel design could still be incorporated with etched circles and left metallic. This is just a very minor thing and as such could well be ignored as I am probably just being picky:)

Message edited by author 2010-08-06 16:03:31.
08/06/2010 04:56:24 PM · #14
I hope, when you win, we DPCers will get an invite to the unveiling of this monument. I can soon get to Southampton, don't worry about that:))
08/06/2010 05:44:39 PM · #15
Your design is stunningly beautiful, and would be a very fitting tribute to an exceptional aircraft. I do think that there will be some modification necessary for structural considerations.
An interesting aside, I saw a spitfire just last weekend performing in an airshow at Oshkosh (the annual EAA convention)
08/06/2010 06:11:13 PM · #16
Really - that response is just amazing - I'm taken aback and utterly delighted that it conveys what I'd hoped.

To all who've commented since my last response, I'm really grateful, and those words have made me even more emotional than when I first started out designing it. Kaiser_Chief - your comment is especially important in light of the competition as I'm sure it will be judged under similar levels of scrutiny.

I too did wonder about the roundel actually – too heavy & dominant, too flag-waving, etc. but in the end I've left it in because from passing aircraft it would be a strong visible landmark to try and spot. A valid comment - and the etching would be a solution anyway.

And I LOVE the idea of the desktop model SteveJ!

I can promise faithfully too that, if this made it, I would be certain to get everyone down that I could to see it!!

Cheers
Jon
08/06/2010 06:37:05 PM · #17
beautiful work of art!
08/06/2010 07:20:30 PM · #18
Wow, very, very cool looking! I love what you've done using swirly contrails to support it. IMO, the Spitfire is one of the most attractive aircraft ever built, and you have done it justice.

Added: I agree on the roundel being an important part of your design. It screams: "R.A.F.", and that is as important to the meaning of the monument as the plane itself.

Message edited by author 2010-08-06 19:22:56.
08/06/2010 08:10:59 PM · #19
I look at this design and the music from 'Battle of Britain' the film comes to mind. I'd like a desktop model of that one too.
08/06/2010 08:22:21 PM · #20
That is SEXY!
08/06/2010 10:42:56 PM · #21
Here's a shot from Airventure (Oshkosh, WI, USA) taken on 2010-07-31.
08/06/2010 10:42:57 PM · #22
Damn, double post :-P


Message edited by author 2010-08-06 22:43:21.
08/06/2010 11:15:48 PM · #23
Originally posted by kirbic:

Here's a shot from Airventure (Oshkosh, WI, USA) taken on 2010-07-31.

I apologize for being a nitpicker, but that's actually a Hawker Sea Fury.
08/06/2010 11:29:52 PM · #24
That is truly a work of art! WOW! I'm not a big plane person, but this is stunning!!!
You've created something quite beautiful!
08/06/2010 11:34:01 PM · #25
Truly awesome! I hope you win this!
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