Steve McQueen's iconic The Great Escape bike on display in Lincolnshire for anniversary

Steve McQueen flying through the sky on motorcycle in a scene from the film ‘The Great Escape’, 1963.

Steve McQueen’s iconic motorbike from “The Great Escape” will be on display in Lincolnshire for the 80th anniversary of the escape attempt. One of the most iconic scenes in both the film and popular culture is the moment McQueen’s Capt Virgil Hilts jumps a 12ft riding a Triumph motorbike.

That very bike, forever associated with the ‘King of Cool’, will be loaned to the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln on Sunday, May 19. Nicky van der Drift, chief executive of the IBCC, said: “The Great Escape film is a classic piece of cinema that brings to life and has immortalised the incredible feat of bravery, hardship, and determination in the face of adversity, that the [prisoners of war] of Stalag Luft III endured.

“For the escape’s 80th anniversary, we’re thrilled to have Steve McQueen’s motorbike on display for our visitors to come and take photos with. We’ll also have plenty else on the day to remember, recognise, and reconcile the sacrifice of those who lost their lives.”

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“All proceeds from [motorcycling charity] InSpire Ride2024 will go directly back into funding the IBCC’s heritage preservation, education and outreach programmes, and we’re grateful for your support.” The film recounts the daring escape attempt of 76 Allied prisoners of war from Stalag Luft III, a Nazi prison camp in Lower Silesia, on March 24 1944.

The attempt was largely unsuccessful – all but three escapees were recaptured and 50 of the airmen were executed. Of these, 28 were members of Bomber Command and their names are etched on the centre’s memorial walls.