Rope and Sling Specialists (RSS) said that it has provided the rigging equipment utilised by Hutchinson Engineering Services to manoeuvre a life-size Lancaster bomber sculpture into place beside the A46 in Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, UK.
The project was executed by the Bomber County Gateway Trust, a Registered Charity with the object of designing, constructing, and installing an iconic landmark art installation on the county border of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
The sculpture represents an Avro Lancaster Mk1 Bomber, crafted from a steel frame and mounted on a streamlined steel support structure, designed to give the impression of flight. This installation pays homage to Lincolnshire’s rich aviation history and its strategic role as home to the Royal Air Force during World War II.
RSS provided essential lifting equipment for the operation. These included two MOD24 spreader beams configured at 4.5m, six lever hoists with a capacity of 9 tonnes each, two collar chains, and four roundslings with a 12-tonne capacity and 6m length.
This equipment ensured precise and secure placement of the sculpture by Hutchinson Engineering Services.
RSS Rotherham depot office manager Linzi Broadhead said: “Our equipment was used to lift the fuselage, wings, and tail of the plane. We frequently work with Hutchinson Engineering — it is typical for us to provide rigging gear for use with their fleet of cranes. However, this was a particularly notable project.
“This is an iconic sculpture — I read one report that said an estimated 35,000 motorists a day will see it from the road as they drive between Newark and Lincoln.”
The location of the artwork is particularly fitting due to its historical context. During World War II, several aircraft, including Lancasters, crashed in this region. The Bomber County Gateway Trust, registered as a charity, aims to reflect this rich history through the landmark installation.
RSS is recognised for its comprehensive range of lifting and rigging products across the UK. The company offers blocks, shackles, hooks, slings, harnesses, and other lifting gear, all maintained under Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) inspections. Their equipment supports many UK-based joint ventures and large-scale infrastructure projects.
In addition to traditional products, RSS provides live365 digitalisation and compliance technology to enhance operational efficiency and safety standards within the lifting industry.
The Bomber County Gateway Trust continues its mission to design and construct art installations that celebrate local heritage. This latest project highlights their ongoing efforts to connect contemporary engineering feats with historical significance in the region.
This installation marks a significant addition to the Lincolnshire landscape, offering both a memorial to aviation history and a new visual landmark for those traveling through the area.
