Archive for August, 2012

Explosive success for Dunsfold Wings & Wheels

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

The most exciting, explosive Wings & Wheels to date enthralled and delighted over 30,000 visitors on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th August. A fantastic combination of new and old aircraft thrilled crowds as the Red Arrows, Vulcan and Battle of Britain Memorial flight took part in the five hour airshows along with unique formation displays from the Meteor T7 and Hawker Hunter, Spitfire and Mustang, Fokker and Apache.

Hearts were pumping and crowds jumping as the Tornado GR4 roared across the sky through fireballs and explosions in a simulated attack before the soothing aerobatics of the Breitling Wingwalkers took centre stage.

Straight from his jump as the Queen at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, stuntman Gary Connery leapt from his helicopter in his wing suit, leaving crowds gasping as he waited until he was metres from the ground before deploying his parachute.

The Wheels Zone was awash with vintage vehicles in static displays and over 100 participants joined in the motoring demonstration run by Brooklands Museum including legendry Formula One and Grand Prix Motorcycle road racer John Surtees in his Formula One car. The Stunt Zone showcased four and two wheeled daredevil performances from Paul Swift and *NEW* act, Learn 2 Wheelie.

The 70th anniversary of the Aerodrome was celebrated in a popular central arena display which charted the historic sites beginnings to the current thriving business and events hub it has now become.

The 32 acre public arena was also bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions from the 1940s Zone, Hot Rod Zone and *NEW* interactive display from the famous Boeing 747 and DC3. Visitors enjoyed laser quest, kids driving, paintballing, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, a Wall of Death, fairground, emergency services demonstration and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts.

Jamie McAllister, Events Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “Each year the team work tirelessly to improve and introduce new elements to Wings & Wheels and we are thrilled with the success of this year’s Show. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. There was so much to see and do in the air and on the ground, from old classics to new and exciting demonstrations with something for everyone. I would like to thank all of the staff, volunteers and individuals who worked tirelessly to put on the Show and all those who have supported Wings & Wheels through sponsorship, donations and by purchasing tickets.”

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited to help raise funds for nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Help for Heroes and Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.

http://www.wingsandwheels.net

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On Her Majestys Secret Service

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

Following his two celebrated showcase events this year, Olympics opening ceremony aerial stuntman GARY CONNERY will make an exclusive appearance at Dunsfold Wings & Wheels on Monday 27th August.

Gary will combine his wing-suit world record achievement with a deployment by canopy in front of a thrilled audience. Arriving in a James Bond-esque pursuit in an AC Cobra, Gary will make good his escape by helicopter, before exiting to make his trademark wing-suit flight, deploying the canopy just in time to make a target landing in front of the audience. He’ll then return to the wheel of the Cobra before joining the crowd for meet and greets and photographs.

Garry Connery comments: “I have always had a passion for flying and cars. To be involved in a show that brings the two together is wonderful and I can’t wait to share my wingsuit flight with so many people in one day at Wings & Wheels. The visual experience will be awesome.”

Over 1 billion people worldwide watched Gary’s last performance as he stood in for the skydiving ‘Queen’s’ dramatic arrival at the Olympics Opening Ceremony with James Bond on Friday 27th July 2012. It was the most talked-about sequence of Danny Boyle’s stunning three hour ceremony.

Gary made his first parachute jump as an Army recruit at the age of 23 and has since become a professional stuntman. The 42-year-old daredevil is a veteran of the skies with over 880 sky dives, 450 base jumps and dozens of film and television roles, as well as having leapt from famous buildings including the top of London’s Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Nelson’s Column and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are thrilled to announce that Gary is joining our Wings line-up on Monday 27th August with his unique wing-suit display. He’s renowned for his world record attempts and more recently his stand in role as the Queen at the Olympics Opening Ceremony and is a welcome addition to what is shaping up to be our most exciting Wings & Wheels Show to date.”

http://www.wingsandwheels.net/

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Final flying participation announced for The Duxford Air Show

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

The final flying participation has now been announced for The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September) and it is an amazing line-up!

Just confirmed is a flypast of United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles on both Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September.

On Sunday 9 September only, a pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Royal Norwegian Air Force will fly alongside a pair of de Havilland Vampires from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron.

This exciting combination has never been seen before in the UK. It brings together the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s first and most contemporary jet fighter aircraft.

Also from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron is their newly-acquired Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, an American-built jet trainer aircraft, which will be flying on Saturday 8 September only.

The presence of the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron at The Duxford Air Show commemorates the centenary of aviation in Norway, celebrated this year. It also acknowledges the long-standing historical connection between the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Royal Air Force.

From New Zealand come two rare replica First World War aircraft, the Albatros DV.a, a German single-seat biplane that sustained aerial combat in the skies over France for longer than all of the more famous Fokker models combined; and the RE.8, a two-seater reconnaissance biplane.

Also representing the bold and brave innovation of the First World War era are replicas of the Fokker DR-1, the type of aircraft in which the Red Baron gained his last 19 victories, and a Nieuport 17, a French biplane fighter aircraft of the era.

The world-famous Red Arrows will perform on Sunday 9 September only, while the Aerostars will be performing stunning aerobatics on both days of The Duxford Air Show.

Flying on Saturday 8 September only is Avro Vulcan XH558, which previously flew at IWM Duxford in September 2008. Vulcan XH558 performs a majestic flying display in the 60th anniversary year of the Vulcan’s maiden flight and the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, in which the Vulcan played a vital role.

XH558 was the first Vulcan B Mark 2 to be delivered to the RAF and the last Vulcan to leave RAF service after a sterling 33 years. It is now the oldest complete Vulcan in the world.

A pair of Tornado GR4s from15 (R) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth will make their debut appearance at IWM Duxford in the 30th anniversary year of the Tornado entering RAF service.

In scenes reminiscent of the Battle of Britain, five Spitfires, including a rare Mark I Spitfire, will fly in a tailchase formation with two Hispano Buchons, representing Messerschmitt Bf109 aircraft, and a Hawker Hurricane.

There’s more superb biplane action with the Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Swordfish, the Antonov An-2, the largest single-engine biplane ever produced and still flying, and the de Havilland Dragon Rapide (flying on Sunday 9 September only).

Following its outstanding performance in striking Jubilee colours at The Jubilee Air Show, the Shorts Tucano fromthe Central Flying School Flight at RAF Linton-on-Ouse makes a welcome return at The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 8 September only.

Making only its second air show appearance is The Fighter Collection’s P-47 Thunderbolt Snafu which was a highlight of this year’s Flying Legends Air Show.

Even more exciting flying includes the BAe Hawk from208 (R) Squadron, RAF Valley; the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota; the Gnat Display TeamPair; B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B; Douglas C-47 Skytrain; Bucker Bu 131 Jungmann; Curtiss Hawk 75; Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat; Consolidated PBY Catalina (flying on Saturday 8 September only) and the North American T-28 Trojan.

This has to be one of the most exciting flying displays seen at IWM Duxford in recent years!

There are plenty of activities to enjoy across IWM Duxford and themuseumis open to explore throughout the day.

Living history groups will be bringing Second World War history to life, with RAF Ops 1939-45 recreating an RAF Fighter Pilots’ dispersal position and giving visitors a glimpse of 1940s Bomber briefings in action.

The Military Equipment Collectors will be recreating the role of the RAF ground crew who kept Spitfires constantly at scramble readiness throughout the Battle of Britain and beyond. They will be displaying an RAF Mobile Mechanic Unit with early Second World War field equipment.

Colonel Richard Grahamwill be hosting his popular talks about the SR-71 Blackbird in the American Air Museum next to the SR-71 Spyplane that he flew. Colonel Graham’s talks will take place at 10amand noon on both Saturday and Sunday.

Children of all ages can enjoymaking and painting an Airfix model in AirSpace between 10.30am and 4pm and can then take their model masterpiece home as a souvenir of The Duxford Air Show.

Duxford Aviation Society’s The British Airliner Collection will be open to explore, including the iconic Concorde. Duxford Radio Society will be presenting radio equipment displays between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

On both days between 10amand 2pm, touch, hold and find out more about RAF Bomber Command historic objects in Air Space next to the iconic Lancaster. Learn about United States Army Air Force historic objects in the American Air Museum from 10am to 2pm.

There is still time to purchase your tickets in advance to save 10% and get a free child ticket, which is available with every adult or senior ticket purchased.

This offer is on advance ticket purchases only; it cannot be used on the day of the event.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499 353. The Box Office is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

There is no booking fee but a postage and packing fee applies per transaction.

Advance tickets will be available until:

5pm on Friday 24 August for overseas postal delivery
5pm on Wednesday 29 August for UK postal delivery

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Tributes to the Red Arrows

Saturday, August 18th, 2012

Calendar competition sponsor Terry Jones has released 2 Commemorative Red Arrows print specials.

The first is a tribute to Flt Lt Jon Egging, who died tragically at last years Bournemouth Air Festival, after guiding his stricken jet away from residential properties. All proceeds go to the Jon Egging trust, set up by proud wife Emma to support young people under-achieving in the formal education system by linking them to inspirational people and evironments connected to aviaion.

The second is dedicated to Flt Lt Sean Cunningham who was killed 2 months on in an ejector seat accident whilst still on the ground. Proceeds from the sale of this print will go to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

To purchase either of these prints please visit http://www.terryjones-art.co.uk.

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World Records and Flying Machines Launch Wings & Wheels 2012

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

The Wings & Wheels launch got off to a flying start yesterday (Tuesday 14th August) as two Hawks swooped in to help the team with their Guinness World Record attempt.

Having looked long and hard at the thousands of recent records, discarded the longest distance to squirt milk from your eye and the most forward rolls in one minute, the team at Wings & Wheels created the longest ever line of toy cars.

The world record attempt, which saw 3,737 cars lined up over 258.2 metres, was completed on the Top Gear track with a little help from Hawk pilots Flt Lt Phil Bird and Flt Lt Bruce Poole, volunteers from Help for Heroes, Brooklands Museum, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, as well as 14 Sussex Wing Air Cadets and 17 families and fans of Wings & Wheels.

Two independent officials, Richard Newsam of Curchod & Co and Lt. Col. Bill Carling were also on hand to oversee proceedings and make sure everything was in order. The Wings & Wheels team now have a tense seven day wait to hear if they have succeeded and beaten the current world record of 3,001 cars and a length of 239.1 metres.

Nancy Edwards, Wings & Wheels Event Manager comments; “Each year at the show we major on the diverse range of displays and attractions we have available for the whole family to enjoy. The launch was a little taste of this and we were thrilled with the reaction we got from the public and press on our world record attempt, it really captured everyone’s imagination. We’ll be displaying the cars from the record at Wings & Wheels on Sunday 26th & Monday 27th August 2012 where we also hope to announce our record result.”

As well as flypasts from the Hawks, journalists and guests were taken back in time by Brooklands Museum to compete in an adrenaline pumping pit-stop challenge on a 1928 Bentley 4 ½ litre Le Mans car. Teams of two raced against-the-clock to get into their 30s race suits, remove and replace wheels, check oil levels and clean windscreens with aviation journalists Mike Rivett and James George eventually being crowned overall winners.

The launch was just a taster of what a sensational summer event for the whole family Wings & Wheels is. Bursting with the unmissable sound of roaring jet engines, the twisting and turning trills of death defying stunts, the iconic beauty of vintage and classic machines and the joyful buzz of delighted spectators, the Show will blow your mind!

The 8th annual Wings and Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Sunday 26th & Monday 27th August 2012, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:00.

Tickets start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £65 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book tickets call 08712 305572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited with proceeds going to nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Help for Heroes and Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.

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A little piece of America at IWM Duxford with American Air Day

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

The popular American Air Day will bring a bit of US culture to IWM Duxford on Friday 17 August.

This family-friendly day offers the chance to meet and mingle with personnel from the United States Air Forces in Europe and find out more about their missions, aircraft and equipment. Discover what it is like to be serving at an American air base such as RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.

Exciting flying demonstrations will include a fly-by from up to four F-15E Strike Eagle single-seat fighters and a KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that provides the core refuelling capability for the United States Air Force.

An MC-130H Combat Talon II and an MC-130P Combat Shadow will fly in, land and open up for public tours .

An array of historic American aircraft will take to the skies, celebrating the United States’ heritage of iconic aeroplanes. These include the famous B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, a P-51 Mustang, North American T-28 Trojan, two Boeing Stearman , Ryan PT-22 Recruit, Piper L4 Cub, Cessna L-19 Birddog and the rip-roaring North American F-86 Sabre.

A wide range of displays will show the diversity of operations and roles within USAFE. These include a Security Forces weapons display, the popular military working dog demonstration and installation firefighting equipment, including the chance to meet Sparky the Fire Dog.

The 48th Operations Support Squadron from RAF Lakenheath will be presenting aircrew flight equipment and demonstrating how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness – using IWM Duxford’s own static F-15 Eagle as part of the demonstration.

There will also be a display of medical equipment and an ambulance used by Air Force service members to support their installation medical mission.

In addition, there will be a Birds of Prey demonstration, which is always a huge attraction for visitors of all ages.

The USAFE Band Wings of Dixie will be performing traditional American Dixieland Jazz, bringing the sounds of New Orleans to IWM Duxford.

The 501st Combat Support Wing and 100th Air Refueling Wing historians will be highlighting the historic link between East Anglia and the United States Air Force that dates back to 1918, when the first US airmen arrived at RAF Duxford.

In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard will be remembering United States military personnel who lost their lives in active service.

Come along and meet members of the United States Air Force in Europe in a relaxed, family-friendly day and enjoy a little bit of America at IWM Duxford.

www.iwm.org.uk

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Vulcan XH558 and the Red Arrows at The Duxford Air Show

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

Now confirmed – a stunning line-up for The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September.

New for Saturday 8 September only is Avro Vulcan XH558, which previously flew at IWM Duxford in September 2008. Vulcan XH558 performs a majestic flying display in the 60th anniversary year of the Vulcan’s maiden flight and the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, in which the Vulcan played a vital role.

XH558 was the first Vulcan B Mark 2 to be delivered to the RAF and the last Vulcan to leave RAF service after a sterling 33 years. It is now the oldest complete Vulcan in the world.

Also now confirmed for Saturday only is the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, an American-built jet trainer aircraft.

The world-famous Red Arrows perform on Sunday 9 September only.

There is still time to purchase your tickets in advance to save 10% and get a free child ticket, which is available with every adult or senior ticket purchased.

This offer is on advance ticket purchases only; it cannot be used on the day of the event.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499 353. The Box Office is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

There is no booking fee but a postage and packing fee applies per transaction.

Advance tickets will be available until:

5pm on Friday 24 August for overseas postal delivery

5pm on Wednesday 29 August for UK postal delivery

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Airscene Ebook

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012

The Airscene 2012 photobook is now available in ebook format.

The publishers have recently made the format available so I jumped at the opportunity of getting the book converted for those who expressed an interest earlier in the year.

The book is prices at £4.99 and contains a selection of winning entries from last years calendar competition.

http://www.blurb.co.uk/bookstore/detail/2838750

*All profits from the sale of both the print and ebook formats are used to cover the costs of hosting fees and administration in running the Airscene competitions.

First-ever Summer Camp at IWM Duxford

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

For the first time, IWM Duxford is hosting an exciting American-style Summer Camp for 11 to 13 year olds between Monday 6 and Friday 10 August.

We have a last few remaining free places available. Contact us to find out more information and to secure a place for this exciting event.

It is now 70 years since Britain experienced the ‘friendly invasion’ of the United States forces during the Second World War. Summer campers will discover the story of these American servicemen and how they coped in an unfamiliar environment far from home.

Find out about the challenges faced by the American airmen and the residents of East Anglia as they learnt to overcome cultural differences to live and work side-by-side. Learn new skills and find out more about Second World War history in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Bringing history to life in a hands-on way, you’ll be learning about code-breaking, propaganda and escape and evade tactics. You’ll learn about ‘forties fashion and dancing, make period-style news reports and learn about the enduringly popular American sports that the United States airmen played to relieve the tension and boredom between missions.

Even more exciting is the chance to spend a night at the museum, amongst the exhibits, in an American-style sleepover. We’re fairly sure that none of the exhibits will come to life!

This all takes place in the historic atmosphere of IWM Duxford, which, as an RAF base during the Second World War, hosted the 78th Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Force from 1943 to 1945.

As this is the first time that we have hosted Summer Camp, we are offering free places to young people, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants must be available from Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 August from 8.45am to 3.15pm and on Thursday 9 August from 8.45am until 9am the following morning.

Summer Camp is run by IWM staff in partnership with qualified history teachers from the United States and the United Kingdom.

For further information on the Summer Camp email americansummercamp@iwm.org.uk

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Great War Sky Knights Display at Wings & Wheels

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

The unique image of the Sopwith Triplane, which caused the Germans to turn tail and avoid combat in the First World War, along with its fierce German counterpart, the Fokker Triplane, are the latest additions to the Wings & Wheels line-up.

Visitors to the historic aerodrome near Guildford will witness the outstanding climb rate, high speed and fair manoeuvrability of the aircrafts, made primarily of wood and fabric, as the pilots demonstrate the light and effective controls. During two summer months of 1917 a single naval squadron claimed 87 German aircraft destroyed for the loss of just one Sopwith Triplane. The Fokker Triplane was designed to match the Sopwith but was limited in production and spent only a year in battle.

Gerry Forristal, Wings & Wheels Aviation Director comments; “It seems fitting that in celebrating 70 years of iconic aviation at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Wings & Wheels also acknowledges the magnificent machines from the First World War. Breathtaking and now uncommon sights in the sky we are delighted to have the Old Flying Machines Sopwith and Fokker Triplanes joining us on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th August.”

Other aircraft set to perform in the main aircraft display at Dunsfold Wings & Wheels include RAF Red Arrows, Tornado GR4, Apache Attack Helicopter, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Tucano Display, RAF Hawk, RAF Tutor as well as a host of civilian aircraft all accompanied by entertaining and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and enthusiasts.

Tickets start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £125 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book tickets call 08712 305572.

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