RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster pictured flying over On Freedom’s Wings memorial site on Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire border on 80th Anniversary of Dambuster raid

A Lancaster bomber from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight took to the skies over Grantham and the district on Tuesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.

The Lancaster began its flight over former RAF Spitalgate, now the Prince William of Gloucester barracks in Grantham, before flying over another 32 locations including Fulbeck and finally RAF Coningsby.

On its flight, the Second World War bomber flew over On Freedom’s Wings site, where a full-scale sculpture of a Lancaster will be erected in memory of the airmen that served at bases in the region.

The spectacular sight was captured by aviation photographer Claire Hartley.

The On Freedom’s Wings sculpture will be located just off the A46, on the border of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire close to the former RAF Swinderby.

Donations are currently being gathered for the project, with around another £90,000 needed in order to complete construction, although steel support beams already in place, as seen in the photo.

The vision was brought to life by The Bomber County Gateway Trust — a group of passionate Lincolnshire-based people whose sole aim is to finance and build the structure — to mark the historic link that Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire shared with RAF Bomber Command during the second world war.

Organisers say recent events show how much interest there is in aviation heritage and that once finished, the sculpture will be a big attraction for visitors into the area.