Archive for August, 2016

Roald Dahl and his RAF journey to literacy stardom

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

Graham Laurie

Date: 10 September 2016

Time: 2pm

Cost: £5 per person (recommended for families with children aged 10 and over)

One of Britain’s most iconic writers, Roald Dahl will be the focus of a talk taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford next month.  Celebrating the 100th birthday of Roald Dahl, the talk entitled ‘Roald Dahl’s War’ will delve into his life before he became an iconic writer, including his career in the RAF.  Presented by historian Graham Laurie, the talk will take place at 2pm on Saturday 10 September 2016.

During this talk, Graham will examine Roald Dahl’s career from the moment he left school through to his employment with the oil company Shell, his first overseas post in Africa and his life in the Royal Air Force.  Dahl eventually went on to become a giant in the world of children’s books, making characters like ‘The BFG’, ‘Matilda’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ household names for millions of children. 

So famous were his popular novels, Dahl’s Royal Air Force career is often one that’s over looked.  Following the outbreak of World War Two in 1939, at the age of 23 Dahl enlisted in the RAF and quickly began his training in Tiger Moths.  Once qualified, he travelled to Iraq for advanced training on Hawker Harts and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve and posted to 80 Squadron based in North Africa.

In 1940 on a flight to deliver new aircraft to his Squadron on the coast, Dahl came into difficulties and was forced to make a landing during which the aircraft overturned.  As a result he suffered severe head and back injuries requiring almost six months recovery in a British military hospital in Alexandria, Egypt.  The following year he re-joined 80 Squadron near Athens, Greece, flying a Hurricane Mk 1 and went on to take part in ‘The Battle of Athens’.  After suffering debilitating headaches as a result of his crash in Libya and no longer able to fly, Dahl returned home to Britain and was discharged from the RAF. 
This illustrated talk contains many of Dahl’s own photographs and is given by kind permission of The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre.  The talk will take place at 2pm on Saturday 10 September, just three days before what would have been Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday.  Places are limited so anyone interested in attending is advised to book their place now via the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.  Spaces on the day will be subject to availability.

The insight into Dahl’s military career and life before his famous books will be presented by guest speaker Graham Laurie. Now a historian and an ambassador of the RAF Benevolent Fund, Graham was a pilot in the RAF for 36 years and during the latter half of his career he flew members of the Royal Family and senior government ministers. 

RAF Museum Cosford Events Manager Abi Betteridge said:

“We are looking forward to celebrating 100 years of Roald Dahl here at the RAF Museum Cosford and honoured to be able to share the stories of his time serving in the RAF with our visitors.  He was such a significant writer to children and adults alike and we look forward to our guest speaker, Graham Laurie telling us more about a side to the author many people know little about.”

Admission to ‘Roald Dahl’s War’ lecture is £5 per person and is recommended for families with children aged 10 and over.  For further information or to book your place visit: www.rafmuseum.org/cosford.  The museum is open daily from 10am and entry to the museum is FREE of charge.

Wings & Wheels a Soaring Success

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016

Dutch Reunion

Wings & Wheels pulled together the best all round show to date in the air and on the ground for visitors on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August.

Aviation giants showed their precision aerobatics up close to the crowds, dispelling concerns Wings & Wheels was affected by new CAA regulations. Whilst the sun shone down on the Aerodrome Saturday, the rest of the UK faced torrential rain and storms forcing the Reds to cancel their display but they returned on Sunday and triumphantly showed just why they are the best pilots in the world.

Other displays made the most of the blue skies Saturday and mixed weather Sunday to delight crowds as the BBMF Spitfires, Black Cats, Sally B, Blades, DC3, P51 Mustang, Hurricane, Tigers Parachute Display Team, Gerald Cooper, Jet Provost and the Turbulent Team demonstrated their flying skills.

The most popular aerobatics came from the Typhoon Display Team as Flt Lt Mark Long roared on to the aerodrome reminding everyone just how powerful, noisy and fearsome the jet is. The 747, VC10 and DC3 opened up for sell out tours and the Navy spent hours showing people the Merlin and Hawk in the Wings Zone.

Saturday was all about reunions and the team were delighted to welcome the remaining Dutch 320 Squadron with the crew from the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historic Flight in their B25 Mitchell Bomber. It was an emotional and heart-warming moment when 97-year-old André Hissink, 94-year-old Edward Hoenson, 92-year-old Eduard Jacob and 90-year-old Camille Stritzko visited the Mitchell. The Surrey and Sussex Wing Air Cadets welcomed the Dutch veterans to their marque with a Guard of honour and pipe band salute.

The Wheels increased in size and volume with the Motoring Paddock managed by Brooklands Museum showing off the limited edition Norton Dominator SS, the only remaining survivor of the French Dieppe 1912 Grand Prix team, the Lorraine-Dietrich 15,000cc G.P., a replica race spec Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe, Aston Martin Vanquish 310, Rolls Royce Phantom 2 Handlye Special and, running on a special racing fuel called nitromethane and methanol, Russ Carpenter’s Daimler V8 Dragster.

The Stunt Zone vibrated to the shows from Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and his Gas Gas stunt Motorbike, Wheelie Joe and his drifting, wheelie displays and Mission Motorsport with their stunt tutorials and Auto Test rides. The NEW Monster Zone was a sell-out success and the kids loved taking part in Scalextric competitions.

The Military Zone was full with re-enactors, military vehicles and tanks firing and battling as well as offering passenger rides. The recruiting teams from the RAF, Army and Navy brought along some spectacular demonstrations of their equipment and training required to join their ranks.

There was a glitter bomb explosion in Sid’s Zone as our littlest guests enjoyed free arts and crafts and fun activities before mobbing Siddeley with cuddles and laughter during the many meet and greet sessions.

The new craft marquee was full to over flowing along with our loyal traders and attractions offering a variety of shopping opportunities and delicious food and the glamorous trio that make up Champagne at The Blitz brought the house down at the end of the weekend with demands for an encore as crowds didn’t want the show to end.

But the event had to end, and the new parking measures implemented inside and outside the Aerodrome were an overwhelming success ensuring people were off site within 30 minutes.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We couldn’t be happier with the success of this year’s show. The air display demonstrated just how fantastic the RAF and private display teams are, the motoring buzzed all weekend with the sound of so many different engines, our Military Zone showcased the Aerodromes history and Siddeley popped up everywhere delighting young and old alike. We finished up with some fantastic evening entertainment which left the crowds wanting more. We couldn’t put on the show without a huge team effort from everyone involved and it is all made worthwhile when we see so many happy and smiling visitors leaving at the end of the day.”

www.wingsandwheels.net

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 assisted the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Douglas DC3 in the air and on the ground at Wings & Wheels

Friday, August 26th, 2016

DC3

We are delighted to confirm that Aces High’s Douglas DC3 will not only be open for tours at Wings & Wheels on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August, but will also be displaying as part of the five hour airshow.

The Aces High DC3 was constructed in 1942 in Long Beach California and delivered to the RAF at Netheravon as TS423 in 1944 and shortly before the end of the war transferred to 436 Squadron to the RCAF at Down Ampney. It was part of the Heavy Glider Unit and took part in the Arnhem D Day landings and Berlin Airlift.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We are very fond of the Aces High DC3. Located on the aerodrome we have the pleasure of seeing her in the air throughout the year and are delighted to be able to bring her to Wings & Wheels for our visitors to watch. They’ll not only be able to see her in the air, but also to pop down to the Military Zone for a tour inside her airframe.”  

The DC3 went to Short Brothers, Scottish Aviation, Marshalls and Ferranti, where at Ferranti, she acquired a non-standard nose that would have been the envy of Jimmy “Schnozzle”

Durante! Inside this nose, which singled her out from her eleven thousand sisters, Ferranti fitted air pass radar for the Lightning fighter and an hydraulically operated gun turret. Underneath she acquired Sonar buoy dropping equipment.

In 1969, with a surprisingly low number of hours on her airframe (around 3000 hours) TS 423 was delivered to the Ministry of Technology at RAE West Freugh, where, nine years later, named “Mayfly” she was still stored. The decision was taken by the MOD to scrap her on the Catterick fire dump.

Mike Woodley of Aces High managed to rescue her from this fate with the aid of the Imperial War Museum and Lord Onslow. On 14th September 1979 TS423 was officially christened G-DAKS and given extensive cosmetic surgery to restore her Douglas nose at Duxford.

G-DAKS made her debut with Yorkshire Television as “Vera Lynn” of Ruskin Air Services in the series AIRLINE in 1979. Her film and television credits have ranged from Poirot to Tenko, Indiana Jones, Dirty Dozen, Memphis Belle, Da Vinci Code, Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers and many others too numerous to mention.

She remains a young lady of 74 years! With over 3,600 hours total flying time N147DC is probably the lowest houred Dakota flying in the world. Aces High still operates her almost 35 years later and she is still being used in films and, as you can see if you visit the aircraft and take a tour at the show, she still has her unrestored, original WW2 cockpit and interior.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Sally B and the Tigers Parachute Team.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.  

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Hurricane to delight crowds at Wings & Wheels this August Bank Holiday

Friday, August 26th, 2016

Hurricane Dunsfold

Wings & Wheels are delighted to announce that the Hurricane MkIIB from the Hangar 11 Collection will once again return to entertain visitors on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August 2016.

Under the expert flying skills of pilot Peter Teichman, the wartime classic and firm family favourite will be displaying some of the manoeuvres that were pivotal to the success of the Battle of Britain. Famously paired with the Spitfire, the Hurricane is credited with 55% of all enemy kills during the Second World War, and provided a technological leap from bi-plane to warbird.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “Wings & Wheels is proud to be showcasing the Hurricane once again as we pay homage to the history of the aerodrome. The Hangar 11 Hurricane is a firm favourite at Wings & Wheels and we are looking forward to the iconic aircrafts display as part of our five hour airshow.”

The legendary Hawker Hurricane was born of the famous Hawker design stable and was the creation of the great Sydney Camm. It was his response to the RAF’s urgent requirement for a low wing monoplane fighter to balance the threat from Nazi Germany and its re-armament during the mid-1930s.

Currently, there are only 12 Hurricanes in airworthy condition throughout the world; this is in spite of a total production of some 14,231 aircraft in the period from 1937 to 1944. Surviving Hurricanes in flyable condition are therefore amongst the rarest of all warbirds. The Hanger 11 Collection’s Hurricane, originally built in 1942, has been restored to stock Mk IIB fighter-bomber status and is the only flying example of the famous ‘Hurri-bombers’.

The Hangar 11 Collection is one of the most active Warbird operators in Europe having displayed in 10 European countries over the last three years alone and averaging over 80 public displays per season.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Brietling Wingwalkers and B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.  

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Wings & Wheels will be going off with a Bang this Bank Holiday weekend

Thursday, August 25th, 2016

Dunsfold Tank Rides

Wings & Wheels is excited to announce the addition of a 1943 T-34 Tank to this year’s Military Zone line up. Not only will the soviet built tank be on display with re-enactment group Defenders of the Motherland, but visitors to the show will get to experience the unprecedented firepower of the tank when the gun is fired on both days signaling the start of the military vehicle procession at 10:00.

Brought to the show on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August and fired by Bill Kear Plant And Agricultural Contractors Ltd, The T-34 remains a legend which has had a lasting effect on the field of tank design. It is not only the most produced tank of World War II with 84,000 built but it is also one of the longest serving tanks ever built.

This year, not only will visitors experience the thunderous gun shots from the T-34, but tanks4aride will be bringing along a number of tanks including their T-55 for visitors to experience the rare opportunity to take a ride in a real working tank. A successor to the T-34, the Soviet built T-55 was involved in many of the late 20th and early 21st century conflicts and eventually became the most produced tank of all time.  The ex-Slovakian army reserve tank visiting Wings & Wheels was built in 1977, it weighs 39 tonnes and goes up to 30mph. The tanks will also be battling and firing at 14:00 each day.

Nancy Edwards, Event Manager comments: “We have worked hard on every aspect of the show this year and the Military Zone just continues to get better every year. The T34 Tank is an exciting addition to the Zone that will really get the show started. The tank rides were incredibly popular last year and we can’t wait to welcome them back to the show.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Sally B and B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.  

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire secures major Heritage Lottery Fund investment

Thursday, August 25th, 2016

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, part of Lincolnshire County Council and working in partnership with West Lindsey District Council,has received a confirmed grant of £423,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for their project ” Lincolnshire in World War One: Bastion in the Air”, it was announced today. The project, which will begin in early 2017 and run through to 2020, aims to highlight the importance and significant contribution the county made to the defence of the country and the development of aviation in World War One.

Thanks to this grant we will offer the public the opportunity of seeing a depiction of a World War One airfield, including flying replica fighter aircraft from the period, within a hangar on an operational RAF station in 2018. In addition there will be an exhibition held at the Collection in Lincoln detailing the technical and social advances that such an important hub in military arms production brought to the county.

There will be travelling exhibitions at community centres and village halls at locations throughout Lincolnshire, detailing specific themes to local areas and what their particular contributionwas and where community volunteers will be recruited and given training on supporting this project. A comprehensive educational programme is also planned to run the entire period of the project.

The story of Lincolnshire’s part in the defence of the realm against the aerial threat of the Zeppelin and the menace of the U-boat is one of national importance. Lincoln was one of the world’s largest aircraft production centres in World War One. Through the development of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service, who were based at airfields around the county, the world’s first independent Air Force – the Royal Air Force – came into being.

The social changes in the workplace, where thousands of women were employed in previously male-only engineering roles, will be a central theme to this story.

www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

Wings & Wheels Welcomes Hispano Buchon to the Airshow

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

Hispano Buchon

Another flying first at Wings & Wheels is The Historic Flying Ltd’s Hispano HA-1112 MIL Buchon. Assembled and painted as Messerschmitt ‘Yellow 10’ as seen in the Battle of Britain film, G-BWUE will be flying in the five hour air display on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August.

 Essentially a Rolls-Royce Merlin-engined Messerschmitt Bf109, this aircraft was one of 27 purchased at auction from the Spanish Air Force by Spitfire Productions for use in the making of the 1968 film “Battle of Britain”. Wing tips were squared off, tail struts added and dummy machine guns fitted to the wings to more visually represent the Messerschmitt BF109E of the Battle of Britain period. Upon completion of filming, the aircraft were returned to their owners or, in the case of the Buchons, put up for disposal.

By now registered as G-AWHK, The Historic Flying Ltd’s Buchon was one of eleven taken by Texan pilot and aircraft collector Wilson C “Connie” Edwards as payment for flying services during the filming. It was shipped to his ranch in Texas where it flew briefly as N9938 before being placed on static display in 1971 with the Confederate Air Force in Detroit.

Acquired by the Old Flying Machine Company, it arrived at Duxford in May 1996, re-registered as G-BWUE and sold on to The Real Aircraft Company at Breighton in Yorkshire, who initiated a full rebuild to airworthy condition. The aircraft was marked up as Hauptmann Werner Schroer’s Bf 109G-2/trop ‘Red 1’, which he flew whilst serving on the Greek island of Rhodes in early 1943.

Purchased by Spitfire Ltd. in November 2006, G-BWUE moved back to Duxford to be maintained by the Aircraft Restoration Company. The aircraft appears regularly at airshows in the UK and was also used during the filming of ‘Valkyrie’ starring Tom Cruise.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We love bringing new displays to Wings & Wheels and are thrilled The Historic Flying Ltd’s Hispano HA-1112 MIL Buchon is joining the air show line-up. The displays in the air and on the ground are packed full with exciting entertainment for our visitors and we can’t wait to see the Buchon in the air.”

 Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Sally B and B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.  

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Spitfire 10K – Countdown to race day

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

RAF Museum Spitfire 10k run

Date: 4 September 2016

Time: Race starts at 10am

Cost: Standard entry £22.50 per person (15 years & over)

The countdown has officially started for the first ever Spitfire 10K!  Taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in just under two weeks’ time, this unique sporting event will see hundreds of runners’ race across the airfield and down the runway before crossing the finish line and picking up a specially commissioned Spitfire medal. This charity run, raising funds for the RAF Museum (registered charity No. 244708) will take place on Sunday 4 September, where over 600 runners are already signed up to take part. 

Participants will head to the start line and begin their race in the museum’s spacious grounds, before setting off onto the adjacent military airfield to complete part of their 10K race.  Exclusively for this event; participants will run the scenic route past the wartime hangars, alongside the air traffic control tower and even down the runway!  Runners are advised to arrive from 9am in order to collect their race number and warm up, then its chocks away at 10.00am as the race begins. 

Whether you’ve been running for years, or you’re just getting into the sport for the first time, the race at Cosford is guaranteed to be a fun and memorable one.  The Spitfire 10K is a gently undulating road course with small sections along a track and is suitable for keen runners and novices alike, so if you’re aged 15 and over why not give it a go? 

There will be specially commissioned winner’s trophies up for grabs in a variety of categories in addition to the unique Spitfire medal that all runners will receive upon crossing the finish line.  Participants will also receive a goody bag filled with goodies thanks to some event sponsors, including a much needed bottle of Radnor Hills mineral water to quench your thirst and a pack of Willy Chase’s Fit Popcorn to pick up your energy levels after the race.  Plus, the museums onsite caterers Kudos have supplied a muffin bar for every runner and bags will also include a 20% discount voucher to spend on the day in the museum shop.

As a memento of the day, bespoke 2016 Spitfire 10K technical running t-shirts will be available to purchase on race day for just £10, with limited stocks available.  Made from breathable fabrics, they make the perfect attire for race day and for running adventures beyond. 

So with the race just days away, if you haven’t already registered and you want to take part, visit the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford to book one of the last few places remaining.  Entry costs £22.50 per person with proceeds going towards the RAF Museum (registered charity No. 244708), to support work conserving and sharing the story of the RAF for current and future generations.  Armed Forces Personnel and running clubs are eligible for the discounted entry fee of £20.50 per person. 

(The Spitfire 10K was first launched at the museum’s London site in 2015)

Vampires taking flight at Wings & Wheels

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron Vampire

For the first time at Wings & Wheels the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron will be bringing two de Havilland Vampires as part of the five-hour air display on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August.

The first de Havilland Vampire FB.52 on display is the export version of the Mk 6 of which 101 were built and 36 exported to Norway. The aircraft is now in the Royal Norwegian Air Force markings to represent Vampire PX-K, serving at the 336 squadron in the early 50s, Norway’s first pure jet fighter squadron.

The second de Havilland Vampire T.55 was the export version of the DH 115 trainer in RAF service known at the T.11. 216, six of which were exported to Norway and in use from 1952 to 1955. The aircraft is now in the Royal Norwegian Air Force markings to represent Vampire PX-M, a two – seater serving with 336 squadron.

The Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron was founded in 2008 and is based at Rygge Air Base Norway. Their first aircraft was the D.H. Vampire, PX-M which was acquired in 2005.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are thrilled to announce the inclusion of the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron’s two de Havilland Vampires. They are an impressive fast jet pairs display that we’ve not seen at the Aerodrome before and will definitely add a thrill to our five hour air display.”

The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British fighter jet developed during the Second World War. It was designed to harness the newly developed jet engine and entered service with the RAF in 1945. It was the first fighter jet to be powered by a single jet engine.

The RAF used the Vampire as a front line fighter until 1953, when it assumed the role of pilot training. The de Havilland Vampire jet achieved a series of aviation firsts, including being the first British plane to exceed 500mph as well as the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic. It was retired in 1966 and replaced by the Hawker Hunter and Gloster Javelin.

Around 3,300 Vampires were manufactured. The Royal Navy’s first jet fighter was the Sea Vampire, a variant of the plane operated from the Navy’s aircraft carriers. As such, the Vampire was the first plane to be landed on a moving aircraft carrier.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Sally B and B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.  

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Historic Reunion of Dutch 320 Squadron at Wings & Wheels

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016

B25 squadron with Eisenhower

Wings & Wheels is honoured to be holding a reunion with the last remaining veteran crew members of the Dutch 320 squadron on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August.

Organised by Sander van der Hall of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight and Mr Morven Voorspuy, over 100 family and friends of the veterans will be attending with the youngest veteran 90 years and the oldest 97 years old.

The veterans attending include 97-year-old André Hissink (bomber aimer) who flew 66 missions, 94-year-old Edward Hoenson (bomber aimer) who flew 89 mission and 92-year-old Eduard Jacob and 90-year-old Camille Stritzko who were both in ground service and averaged 15 flights each.

On the eve of D-Day, April 18, 1944, General Eisenhower visited the Dutch naval squadron at Dunsfold. During the inspection troops he had a personal interview with the then 21-year-old Mr Jacob who said of the meeting, “I was nervous the great commander talked to me!”

The 320 squadron flew from Dunsfold Aerodrome from February 1944 until October 1944. In total 156 members died and 57 members didn’t come back. The 320 squadron were awarded the MWO four times and the Bravery Award The Airman’s Cross 176 times.

The Dutch B-25 Mitchell will be flying at the airshow in its WW2 colours and saluting the men who were part of 320 squadron. The Veterans and their families will not only be able to watch the magnificent aircraft in the air but will also be invited for a special tour to view the aircraft and meet the pilots at 11:30. An official welcome will begin at 13:00 in the Dutch marquee.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are incredibly honoured to be hosting the visit of the remaining Dutch 320 squadron. The history of the aerodrome is never far from our thoughts and to be able to welcome these veterans to the Show and have the B-25 Mitchell flying as part of the display is a wonderful tribute to them and their comrades.”

 Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the full complement from the RAF as they display with the Red Arrows, Eurofighter and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota) as well as the Royal Navy Black Cats, Blades, Sally B and B-25 Mitchell bomber.  Supercars, classics and race cars put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two-hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum. Over in our Wheels Zone is an array of interactive and static displays as well as two and four wheeled shows in the Stunt Zone with Steve ‘Showtime’ Colley and Mission Motorsport and a new Monster Truck arena offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The show also includes over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.  

The 12th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August 2016, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

Advanced rate tickets from £22 for adults or £50 for a family. Single child tickets (for children aged 5 – 15) will be £7. Children under 5 go free. Hospitality packages start from £155 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2016 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.