Story

Laurence Goff Volunteer Fundraiser at Newark Market on Wednesday and Friday if the weather is OK until Friday 7th November 2025. https://www.justgiving.com/page/laurence-goff-1688905419640

The landowners are allowing parking on the grass field inside the entrance. There is no hard standing & please follow the parking attendants directions.

Please use the car park & do not park on the surrounding lanes as they are narrow & easily blocked causing problems for everyone

Parking is free but please support this incredible landmark by making a donation either in cash at the entrance or online www.bombergatewaytrust.co.uk

- Work will continue on landscaping, CCTV system and car park.

GETTING TO THE BOMBER FROM YOUR CAR

There is a level gravel track from the parking area. The distance is approximately 500m. It is a 5-10 minute walk depending on speed. PLEASE KEEP TO THE TRACK

ACCESSIBILITY

For those with a “Blue Badge” who are unable to make the walk, we will be providing a vehicle to to conduct those who require assistance to the bomber. Please note this is being provided as a courtesy & is not an official vehicle. If you choose to take this transport you do so at your own risk.

A Lancaster bomber (R5689 VN-N) crashed near Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, on September 19, 1942, killing four of its seven crew members, not five. The crash occurred on its final approach after a mission when the aircraft became uncontrollable due to engine failure and bad weather, and struck nearby woodland. A full-size sculpture called "On Freedoms Wings" has been erected on the site to commemorate the crew and others who served in Bomber Command.

The crash: The aircraft, R5689, was returning from a Baltic Sea mission when its portside engines failed during a final approach in bad weather. It crashed into woodland near its home base at RAF Swinderby.

Casualties: Of the seven crew members on board, four were killed.

The memorial: The "On Freedoms Wings" sculpture was installed in September 2025 to honor Bomber Command and specifically the crew of R5689.

Eighty three years on and today there’s a new life-size steel sculpture, created by the Bomber County Gateway Trust, positioned on the flight path.

It depicts the VN-N Lancaster R5689 from No 50 Squadron in a tilted, mid-flight position. It crashed into nearby Thurlby Wood in the early hours when both port-side engines failed on its final approach when returning from a mine-dropping operation in the Baltic Sea,

The design includes two propellers spinning and two that have stalled, specifically to reflect the story of the 1942 crash.

Five of the seven crew members were killed in the crash.

RAF Swinderby was an operational Bomber Command station during the Second World War and this memorial – just like the memorial spire also in the District at the IBCC – seeks to remember and commemorate everyone who served with Bomber Command. After the war, it became a training facility, including serving as the RAF School of Recruit Training from 1964, and was sold for commercial development in 1995 – becoming Witham St Hughs and the Network 46 industrial park.

Location: On Freedoms Wings Lancaster Bomber sculpture is located alongside the A46 Newark to Lincoln dual carriageway near Norton Disney.

Viewing the memorial: The site is currently a construction area and will open to the public,

CAN YOU TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS

Yes

CAN YOU STAND UNDERNEATH THE BOMBER

The short answer is NO. While you can get extremely close, there is security fencing around the base. This is there for your safety, please do not attempt to open or climb the fencing.

ARE DOGS ALLOWED ON THE SITE?

NO dogs cannot be taken up onto the site unless they are registered assistance dogs. While we discourage dogs attending with visitors, If absolutely necessary dogs can remain in the owners car if temperatures allow but must not exit the car park.

We very much look forward to welcoming you, please read the disclaimer below which applies to anyone who proceeds through the entrance.

DISCLAIMER

You are being invited onto the site at the landowners discretion but if you choose to do so it is entirely at your own risk. No responsibility for any injury or accident or theft to any person vehicle or property will be held by the landowners, Bomber County Gateway Trust or any person associated.

UPDATE FOR VISITING THE SITE & VIEWING

**Please read entire post for full deatils**

At the moment the site will only be open on specific dates. (See below) This is to allow construction to continue & a car park to be built. We hope to have a car park & booking system into place in approximately the next 6 weeks to allow everyone to enjoy the Bomber at their convenience.

There is an excellent viewing point which is unrestricted & can be found at the following location using What3words - Evaporate.Captions.Informal

Please download the What3words app

ENTRANCE FOR ACCESS TO THE SITE

There is ONLY ONE ENTRANCE for visiting the site. The land which the bomber sits on is privately owned, as is, the surrounding land & If you decide to push through fencing, climb gates that are closed, walk through livestock & let cattle out, you are not only trespassing but causing enormous problems & spoiling this for everyone as time & money have to then be spent in repairs & apologies made to farmers whose livelihood you have jeopardised. PLEASE PLEASE respect this & do not try to access the site through any route except the main entrance.

Please use the main entrance on Folly Lane LN6 9JN. Exact location is found using What3words

snug.dress.boards

Please download the What3words app to access this.

DRONES

It has come to our attention that clarification is needed in this matter.

While it is completely legal to fly drones over the site as the airspace is not owned, there are conditions in place to protect people, property & privacy. Please make sure you understand & comply with them before flying a drone in the vicinity of the bomber.

Drones may be launched without permission from any public land but NOT from privately owned land without the land owners permission. This includes gateways & inside fence lines.

There will be no permission given to individuals for the launching of any drones from the bomber site or any of the privately owned land surrounding it apart from the official drone & pilot authorised by the BCGT

The Civil Aviation Authority provides details of all legal requirements for flying drones over private property.

Thank you for your cooperation & consideration

The sculpture, a full-sized steel replica of an Avro Lancaster bomber installed on the A46 road between Lincoln and Newark in Nottinghamshire. The main steelwork was completed by Lincolnshire-based Timmins Engineering and Construction Ltd, who designed and fabricated the sculpture almost entirely free of charge.

It was erected by the Bomber County Gateway Trust to commemorate the RAF Bomber Command and aircrews of World War II. While not yet officially open to the public for access, the sculpture can currently be viewed from the nearby A46. It is tilted to give the impression that the Lancaster Bomber is in flight, heading home to RAF Swinderby – a former station a few miles away.

Organiser Charlie White, a farmer who owns the site, and chairs the Bomber County Gateway Trust On Freedom's Wings a registered charity and a group of passionate people whose aim to bring this iconic landmark to life, which will mark the historic link that Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire shared with RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War.

The landmark is made out of 92 tonnes steel representation of the iconic Lancaster Bomber and will be seen on the high ground off the A46 at Norton Disney. Rivalling the Angel of the North in both size and status, On Freedoms Wings will be seen by 34,000 passing motorists each day.The Bomber County Gateway Trust’s 26-metre-long sculpture will be mounted on a steel frame to give the impression it is in flight. It will measure 29 metres in height and have a wingspan of 31 metres, making it nine metres taller than the Angel of the North.

Bomber Command aircrews suffered a very high casualty rate, these brave young men who flew in total darkness.

On September 18, 1942, Lancaster R5689 (VN-N), the most photographed Lancaster bomber of the war, crashed in Lincolnshire woodland near Swinderby and Norton Disney while returning from a mission over the Baltic Sea, resulting in the deaths of five crew members. The crash site's proximity to the base at RAF Swinderby and the aircraft's notable status led to its selection as the basis for a full-scale Lancaster bomber sculpture, known as "On Freedom's Wings," located near Norton Disney to serve as a lasting tribute to Bomber Command.

We don't do nearly enough to remember the sacrifice of our servicemen. This will mark the historic link between Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire shared with RAF Bomber Command during the second world war. They paid the Ultimate Sacrifice for our Freedom. The Lancaster Bomber, Sculpture Being Constructed locally. Thank You Help By Making This Dream Come True, For Making it A Reality. Many donations from dedicated supporters an overall cost of around £1m.

https://www.facebook.com/OnFreedomsWings

https://www.justgiving.com/page/laurence-goff-1688905419640

Laurencegoff4newark@yahoo.co.uk

Cheques can also be made payable to Bomber County Gateway Trust and posted to: Bomber County Gateway Trust, Hill Holt Farm, Norton Disney, LN6 9JP.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1548863809445426

Bomber County Gateway Trust

Bomber County Gateway Trust

Story

Rebecca Miggels

Liam

BRIAN, BARBARA, LESLEY

Anonymous

Laurence Goff

Donation summary