A GRIMSBY artist has told of her pride after an RAF memorial she designed was unveiled.
Sylvia Waugh, pictured right, of Marshall Avenue, created a new memorial to honour the fallen members of the famous 617 Squadron.
The squadron approached Lincoln University, where Sylvia was studying, to see if any art students could take on the honour.
Sylvia's design was chosen to be placed alongside the existing Second World War memorial in Royal Square, Woodhall Spa, the home of the squadron.
And it was unveiled to coincide with the recent 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid.
Sylvia said: "I grew up in North Kelsey and my father worked in the Royal Observer Corps at RAF Caistor, so we would occasionally have the planes fly over the house which was exciting, especially with the Vulcan jets in later years.
"When we got a television when I was 12, I loved watching the Dambusters film and I would often play the Dambusters theme on the piano, much to my father's amusement.
"I feel I have a deep connection to the squadron, which is why I was so honoured to be chosen to create a monument for it."
Her design represents the Tornado, the current RAF fighter jet, giving the monument a modern feel.
"Seeing the Tornado in flight and how it can climb almost vertically, I knew I wanted to incorporate that into the design," she explained.
"I was inspired by the delta wing shapes of the Tornado and Vulcan jets and the sight of the 'Thor' Project missile, which was located at the Caistor base during the Cold War, have made a big impact on me which is reflected in the shape of the sculpture.
"I had always wanted to see it created out of highly-polished black granite and seeing it completed has given the sculpture a life of its own.
"Depending where you are standing and where the sun is, it changes colour and reflects in interesting ways from the different angles."
She added: "My childhood was very creative and I have always been encouraged in my creativity.
"My parents were very musical and I made a lot of my dresses myself and, by 16, I knew I wanted to be an artist.
"Having one of my creations used for such an important reason is the most fantastic experience of my life."
