Hornchurch Country Park is going back in time to the Second World War with an exciting new project about to be unveiled in the children’s play area. Over the last few weeks a half-size Spitfire climbing rock has been taking shape for budding young flying aces to clamber on.
The Spitfire will be the focal point of a larger, new and exciting play scheme to be installed by play company Wicksteed Playscapes and London Borough of Havering council with funding from Playbuilder, Lottery and London Marathon Trust.
The Spitfire climbing rock is being created on-site using a revolutionary new building technique designed by British mountaineers, based upon considerable climbing experience. The shape of the spitfire was designed at Wicksteed from which a scale model was sculpted. The full-size polystyrene form was then transported and positioned on site. It was then reinforced with a steel mesh before being sprayed on-site with colour-impregnated concrete to a depth of 150mm. Hand carved foot and hand holds were then added during this process.
The Spitfire which will be seen flying out from clouds has been painted in its instantly recognisable green and beige colours – ready to join the Hornchurch Flying Squadron and bring back some no For further information visit
Tel 01536 517028.
www.wicksteed.co.uk
During the First World War an airfield was created at Suttons Farm,( now Hornchurch Country Park) from which bi-planes of the Royal Flying Corps took off to defend London from airship attacks. RAF Hornchurch was later developed, covering most of the Country Park we see today. During the Second World War, the squadrons of Spitfires were based there played an important role in the Battle of Britain. After the war the airfield was used for air crew training and the RAF station finally closed in 1962.
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