Rilmac Fabrication are proud to have been involved with the manufacture and production of an eye-catching memorial to Squadron Leader Sam Bailey. The memorial sculpture, named ‘The Joy of Flight’ has recently been installed at the Lincoln College Monks Road main campus, with a dedication ceremony officially opening the piece a few days later.

This is the latest steel sculpture project that Rilmac have been involved in, with previous work installed not only in Lincoln, but as far afield and London. Such pieces make a change from the large scale, high end engineering fabrications regularly rolled out from their Lincoln workshops.

The location for the sculpture was chosen by Squadron Leader Bailey’s family, after seeking the support of RAFA, the Royal Air Force Association. RAFA suggested the Lincoln College site as it is the home to the new Air & Defence College and the memorial will inspire future generations of RAF recruits.

The final sculpture is made from stainless steel with a footprint of 7.8m sq. and a maximum height of 3.5m. There is also an additional plinth and plaque which has been laser engraved with an inscription from Squadron Leader Bailey’s family and excerpts of the poem, High Flight by John Gillespie Magee.

Rilmac were first approached right at the outset and worked with the College and designers, Optima Design, on potential options and solutions. The Bailey Family and Lincoln College chose ‘The Joy of Flight’ as their preferred design and work began in converting the original paper model prototype in to the finished sculpture that was installed in situ by engineers from Rilmac Fabrication.

Terry Cutter, Operations Director of Rilmac Fabrication said, “It is fantastic to have the opportunity to work on projects like this. It allows us to use a variety of specialist skills and show an alternative side to our usual scale of fabrication. Coming from an RAF family I am particularly proud to have been able to work on this memorial to Squadron Leader Bailey.”

Squadron Leader Sam Bailey was tragically killed while flying over the Moray Firth in a Tornado GR4 during July 2012.