Progress so far
Nov 2010
The maquette is now ready to be checked over at the Royal Air Force Museum London for accuracy. Once approved it will be cast in bronze and used for fund raising. All contributions are very welcome large or small, a credit card system will soon be in place on this web site.
Oct 2010
Local sculptor Francis Margaret has now been invited to produce the centrepiece and has already made very good progress on the maquette.
04 August 2010
East Devon District Council has granted the planning application for the memorial to be established.
The South West Airfields Heritage Trust are now fundraising for the creation of the memorial.
May 2010
Exeter International Airport kindly gives permission to use the land for the memorial
The location of the planned memorial is on the main entrance to Exeter International Airport
The Exeter Airport RAF Memorial
Exeter International Airport was the site of RAF Exeter during World War Two.
With Exeter being one of the targets for the Baedeker Blitz , as Hitler tried to destroy the morale of the British people, RAF Exeter Airport was a very active operational fighter base.
During the 1970s, Devon County Council considered building a memorial garden, but sadly it did not happen.
As a fitting tribute, the South West Airfields Heritage Trust is now seeking to build a memorial to all those from many nations who served at RAF Exeter during WW2, including those involved in the D-Day and many other operations carried out at the base.
We believe that for those of us who lived through WW2, time is running out; and this, the 70th Anniversary of the 'Battle of Britain' is a fitting time for the creation of such a memorial.
South West Airfields Heritage Trust member's sketch of the planned memorial
About the Memorial
Our design depicts a fighter pilot who has retuned from a major defensive mission during August 1940 over Portland, when 14 Hurricane fighters were scrambled from Exeter to confront over one hundred enemy bombers and fighters.
During that mission Exeter lost four planes and three pilots.
The sculpture is intended to show a pilot who made a safe return scanning the sky for his missing comrades.
The plinth is designed to carry up to six plaques, thereby giving an opportunity to explain the history and acknowledge all those who served from there.
We will be seeking to raise £50,000 to enable the memorial to be built.
Both Corporate and private donations are welcomed.