#sheffieldflypast

[davidfieldsculptor]

Just finished revealing the bronze powder and adding a dark polish to bring up the highlights on my B17 Airmen tribute plaque. This was the most nerve wracking stage for me. Not done yet as I have to build the frame. #b17tribute #b17 #b17g #flyingfortress #theb17airmen #b17airmen #b17aircrew #airmen #aircrew #305th #ww2 #usairforce #airforce #memorial #tribute #bronzeresin #coldcastbronze #sheffieldflypast #22february1944 #raflakenheath #22021944 #americianambassadortouk https://www.instagram.com/p/BvpM28_lsoO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7oatekev2wex

[big-stamp]

Following events around the world last week, to commemorate the 75thAnniversary of the D-Day Normandy Landings, the Normandy Veterans Sheffield Branch, supported by Sheffield City Council, are holding a commemoration event and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Norfolk Heritage Park on Saturday 15 June.

A ceremony was held on the anniversary last week with the Normandy Veterans Sheffield Branch, at the dedicated memorial in Sheffield’s Weston Park.

The commemoration and flypast has been timed a week after the anniversary to allow veterans from across the North of England to attend, who had travelled to Normandy on the actual anniversary last week.

Councillor Mary Lea, cabinet Member for Culture, parks and leisure at Sheffield City Council said: “It was an honour to stand side-by-side at the ceremony with Sheffield’s Normandy Veterans on the 75th Anniversary last week.

“We have been working with the Sheffield veterans, not only to create a lasting memorial in Weston Park but to hold the main Drumhead service and flypast in Norfolk Park. The veterans were keen to invite their comrades from across the North of England to join in this special moment and it is our privilege to support them as we all come together to remember those who fought for our peace and freedom.”

A military band will start event proceedings at 11.00am, followed by a commemorative parade and a Drumhead service at 12.15pm.

During the Drumhead Service wreaths will be laid by The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Sheffield Councillor Tony Downing, HM Lord-Lieutenant Andrew Coombe, Major General Neil Sexton, Chairman of Normandy Veterans Sheffield Branch Gordon Drabble LH and Branch Secretary Graham Askham.

After the service at 1.30pm the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Bomber will fly over the park and will circle Sheffield city centre. Acknowledgements and thanks will close the event by 2pm.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield Councillor Downing will be joined by Councillor Julie Dore Leader of Sheffield City Council, Councillor Lea, Sheffield’s Military Champion Councillor Tony Damms and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety Councillor Paul Wood.

Representatives based in the UK from Canada, France, Poland and America will be in attendance, plus Normandy Veterans from as far afield as Hull and Liverpool.

ON THE DAY

The service takes place in Norfolk Heritage Park, Sheffield – at the top of the hill by Centre in the Park

The event is open to everyone and free to attend.

Normal entrances and exits in and out of Norfolk Heritage Park will be open.

Timings:

11.00am – start with Military Band

12.15pm – Commemorative Parade and Drumhead Service

1.30pm Battle of Britain – Lancaster Flyover

2pm – thanks and close

People are advised not to bring wreaths to the event, as the actual D-Day memorial is in Weston Park.

Plan your journey

Norfolk Park car park will be reserved for travelling veterans, service personnel and invited guests. Parking around the park will not be available.

People are advised to plan journeys in advance, allowing plenty of time and to travel by public transport or on foot where possible. Several bus routes and Stagecoach Supertram pass closely to the park.

Those attending Norfolk Heritage Park on the day for other reasons should be aware that it will be very busy and access may be more difficult.

Vantage points and potential route

The flight path of the Lancaster Bomber is expected to approach Norfolk Park from the south east of Sheffield flying over The Manor. It will then circle above the city centre and depart to the north en route to Wentworth.

Those not attending the service in Norfolk Park should still be able to get a good view of the aircraft from various locations across Sheffield along the route.

Some good vantage points will include the city centre, Manor Park, Parkwood Springs.

People are encouraged to capture and share the event and flyover on social media, using the hashtags #DDay75 and #sheffieldflypast.

The flypast will be subject to operational and prevailing weather conditions.

Cllr Lea added: “If you’re coming along please plan ahead and take public transport as we expect it will be busy and parking is not available. We want this to be an enjoyable occasion for everyone, particularly our local and visiting veterans and I hope many Sheffielders will join us as we pay our respects and remember.”

[davidfieldsculptor]

Sitting in the cold outdoors tidying up the first bronze resin cast of my B17 Aircrew tribute plaque. Inspired by the sacrifice of the Mi Amigo Crew in Sheffield on February 22nd 1944, the dedication of Sheffield schoolboy Tony Foulds in maintaining their monument eversince and the loss of 400 other Allied Aircrew on that day. I'm outside because the overcast light is perfect to see the areas I still need to work on. The magnifying lenses help. I need some thermals, it's freezing! #b17 #b17aircrew #b17tribute #flyingfortress #b17tributeplaque #miamigo #sheffieldflypast #sheffield10 #bronzeresin #coldcastbronze #oldschool #finishing #ww2 #usairforce #heavybomber #warplane #aircrew #theAirmen #TheAircrew #airplane #alliedairforce #allies https://www.instagram.com/p/BvgTjOFFZpA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fnltjbs6nlpa

[davidfieldsculptor]

Detailing the parachutes on this B-17 Aircrew tribute plaque. I was inspired to make this after hearing the moving story of Tony Foulds and the sacrifice of the Airmen of the US bomber Mi Amigo which crashed in a Sheffield park on Feb 22nd 1944 after avoiding houses and a group of children playing football. The bomber was on its way home from a mission. Over 400 Allied Airmen died on that day. This plaque is a personal tribute to all of those men and the figures on it do not represent particular individuals. Water clay on wooden board. #sheffieldflypast #MiAmigo #b17flyingfortress #rememberthe10 https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJUpCWlk_3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16oxz38hzod4d

[davidfieldsculptor]

The finished B17 Airmen tribute sculpture. Packing it up today for the journey to its owner. 70cm x 32cm. Cold bronze. #b17 b17tribute #b17heavybomber #b17flyingfortress #flyingfortress #305th #ww2 #bigweek #dday #aircraft #usairforce #alliedaircrew #theb17airmen #theairmen #sheffieldflypast #miamigo #inspired #inspiredbysacrifice #ontheshouldersofgiants#foughtforfreedom #freedom #military #aviation #militarysculpture #sculpture #tribute #memorial #plaque https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv_OxOhFfHa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12jg4hgdx6ski

[davidfieldsculptor]

The frame is painted and the B17 Airmen Tribute plaque is finished. Inspired by the story of the sacrifice of the crew of Mi Amigo in Sheffield and the 400+ Allied Airmen who died on 22nd of February 1944. #miamigo #ww2 #b17 #flyingfortress #sheffieldflypast #bigweek #tribute #usairforce #305thbombergroup #305thheavybombergroup #305th #inmemory #sacrifice #military #airforce #allies #rememberthe10 #rememberthefallen https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv07FEnFw9d/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=uzkg4hhivpvq

[davidfieldsculptor]

Teasing the silicone rubber mould off the cold bronze cast. #b17tribute #b17flyingfortress #flyingfortress #ww2 #theaircrew #theairmen #sheffieldflypast #miamigo #inspired #ontheshouldersofgiants #model #sculpture #coldbronze #bronze #resin #silicone #mould #inspiration #sculpture #commercialsculpture #bigreveal #diditwork https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvd0M71Fud7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ro41cmxedk9a

[davidfieldsculptor]

The faces are finally finished on the B17 Airmen tribute sculpture. Inspired by the self sacrifice of the crew of the Mi Amigo B17 Bomber that crashed in Sheffield on February 22nd 1944, the dedication of Sheffield schoolboy Tony Foulds who has been looking after their crash site memorial ever since and the 400 Allied Aircrew who fell in action on that day. The figures on the sculpture are not the likeness of any specific crewmen. Clay on wood but the first cast will be in bronze resin. #theAircrew #theAirnen #b17 #flyingfortress #miamigo #sheffieldflypast #tonygotaflypast #ww2 #alliedairforce #usairforce #b17tribute https://www.instagram.com/p/BvPbHJ_FKhT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=haquqwmdp1bf

[davidfieldsculptor]

Changing the base of the Airmen tribute plaque from a runway to something more appropriate to their name. #airmen #aircrew #ww2 #b17 #flyingfortress #miamigo #remembertheten #sheffieldflypast #cloudmen #clouds #flying #flyinghigh https://www.instagram.com/p/BuYIRaLl2Bb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ooy4ql0pnbj6