Pictured above: Katie Taylor
The winners of a competition to design a piece of cockpit nose
art will be on display at the Waddington International Airshow on
2nd and 3rd July 2011.
Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire launched the Aircraft Nose Art
Competition, which was open to young people aged between six and
22, in September last year to celebrate the county's rich aviation
history.
The winning entries in each of the four age categories have been
transferred onto the cockpits of fighter aircraft by Lincoln-based
signmaker Allen Signs. Their specialist team of signmakers and
engravers has also painted the winners' designs and the next best
18 entries onto riveted aluminium panels designed to represent the
sides of aircraft.
David Allen, Managing Director of Allen Signs, said it was a
really interesting project to work on. "Transferring nose art
designs onto the cockpits of fighter aircraft is not something we
get asked to do on a regular basis but we've really enjoyed being
involved in the competition.
"The standard of entries has been amazing and we can't wait to
see the children's faces when they see their artwork on display at
the Waddington Airshow which attracts visitors from all over the
world.
"This competition encourages young people to take an interest
not only in the county's aviation past but also in design and we
hope that it inspires the next generation of designers."
All 22 pieces will be displayed on the Aviation Heritage
Lincolnshire stand at the Waddington International Airshow on
2ndand 3rdJuly 2011 and then exhibited as a collection at various
galleries and public venues (including an airport and a stately
home) around the East Midlands.
David Harrigan, creator of the competition and Outreach and
Learning Officer for Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, said: "The
response to the competition, which was advertised on radio and in
the press as well as through direct mailing to schools and
colleges, was outstanding.
"The quality and level of research by entrants of all ages
really astounded the three independent judges and I'm delighted
that a new generation has been inspired to pay tribute to this
iconic art form.
"Allen Signs has done a fantastic job bringing the designs to
life and I can't wait to see the finished artworks at Waddington,
which is the largest of all the RAF air shows."