Regular readers of the Southern Evening Echo will be aware that over many years there have been numerous attempts to build a memorial, by the City of Southampton, to honour R J Mitchell. So far all attempts have fallen by the wayside.

I am sure most will agree that such a memorial is incredibily long overdue. The Echo are currently backing a campaign to build a fitting and lasting tribute to this great designer. Several designs have been submitted and being "disappointed" in seeing some of the results Colin decided to submit his own ideas. So far the feedback from the Echo website has all been favourable.

There is noticeable overwhelming support for a suitable tribute, but money will have to be raised, as always, from public donations and sponsorship. If any members have any design ideas of their own or would like to support the campaign please write to the Echo.

Maybe the City Council will finally wake up and make a real effort to commit to a unforgivably long overdue memorial from the City.

Click on the links below to read  Southern Daily Echo articles: (PDF files) 21st December 2007 19th July 2008

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 Colin's first design :

  Version 1

Conceptual art work submitted by Colin Lee.

Daily Echo - January 5th 2008

A high profile team has been set up to turn the vision for a grand Spitfire memorial in Southampton into a reality.

The Spitfire Panel will take charge of fundraising and investigate the feasibility and design of the memorial to the great Second World War fighter aircraft.

The Panel:

Ken Clarke:  South-east area director of the Royal Air Force Association.

Trevor Graham:  Director of Slipstream and Hampshire Sound.

George Bromley:  Acting chairman of the Southampton Spitfire Society.

Jan Halliday:  Director of communications at Southampton Airport

Alan Jones:  Director of the Solent Sky Museum.

Ian Murray:  Editor of the Daily Echo.

Councillor John Hannides:  Southampton City Council Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture.