admin – Page 125 – Airscene News

Canberra PR7 to receive some TLC

Newark Air Museum Canberra PR7

Earlier in the summer Newark Air Museum was approached by Canberra cockpit owner Darren Green about the possibility of forming a restoration team to work on Canberra PR.7 WH791.

This particular airframe is on loan to the museum, so the museum trustees put Darren in contact with Terry O’Halloran a member of the 31 Squadron Association. Several years ago Terry worked on behalf of the aircraft owner to co-ordinate work on the airframe, which was undertaken by members of 31 Squadron Association and cadets from 1237 (North Hykeham) Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC).

It has now been agreed that Darren Green and Terry O’Halloran will combine their resources and they are leading a group of Canberra enthusiasts who now plan to refurbish and repaint the airframe.

The museum trustees have recently agreed to fund the cost of paint and materials for the project. As part of this agreement it is understood that the Canberra PR7 will retain its distinctive 31 Squadron markings, but it will revert to displaying its correct serial number of WH791.

The recent spell of good weather has allowed some de-corrosion work and paint removal on the nose section of the fuselage to commence in preparation for the application of primer and paint. A detailed structural survey will be undertaken on the airframe in consultation with the museum’s Restoration Manager.

Canberra PR.7 WH79, which arrived at Newark fifteen (15) years ago in autumn 1998, is one of six Canberra airframes and cockpit sections displayed at Newark Air Museum’s site on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in eastern Nottinghamshire.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/

Battle of the aerobatics at The Duxford Air Show this weekend

Patrouille De France

There’s an array of amazing aerobatic spectaculars in store at The Duxford Air Show this weekend (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September)!

Opening Saturday’s flying display in gallic style is the Patrouille de France, the precision aerobatic display team of the French Air Force, who are one of the world’s most skilled demonstration teams. They’ll perform in the flying programme on Sunday, too.

On Saturday, Pete Kynsey flies the Levier Cosmic Wind, the only aircraft of its type flying anywhere in the world. This aerobatic air racer is called Ballerina II and is as nimble in the air as its name suggests.

There is no greater exponent of the Bucker Jungmann acrobatic aircraft than Anna Walker. Performing classic and competition-style aerobatics, including a challenging inverted low-level pass over the IWM Duxford airfield, Anna will be wowing the crowd on Saturday 7 September.

Also flying on Saturday, and not to be confused with the famous aerobatic act which will be closing the weekend’s flying display, are The Red Sparrows, four de Havilland Chipmunk trainer aircraft which will be flying in close formation displays.

Mark Jeffries controls the skies from all angles in his Extra 330SC aircraft. Mark is nine-time British aerobatic champion and his dizzy aerobatics will have a jaw-dropping effect on air show audiences on Saturday and Sunday.

The Aerostars have been thrilling air show visitors with their tightly choreographed aerobatics, roaring radial engines and striking smoke effects for 17 years. They are a perennial favourite at IWM Duxford air shows and their imaginative displays will no doubt be a hit on the Saturday of The Duxford Air Show.

Sunday’s flying programme concludes in grand style with The Red Arrows, the world-renowned and instantly-recognisable aerobatic team of the Royal Air Force.

Alongside the eye-popping, head-swivelling aerobatic thrills and spills is a range of diverse and exciting flying displays.

One of the highlights of Saturday’s flying display will be the arrival of the Boeing 747-8F, operated by Stansted Airport-based Global Supply Systems Limited and leased to British Airways World Cargo, in its debut UK air show appearance.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire pay tribute to the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.

The historic jet-powered pairing of the North American F-86 Sabre and the CT-133 Shooting Star will contrast with the thunderous contemporary engines of the Eurofighter Typhoon, which can be seen later in the flying programme on Saturday and which opens the show in ferocious style on Sunday.

The daredevil Piper Cub truck-top landing is an amazing feat of skill and precision that will entrance audiences on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday’s flying programme sees a demonstration of Royal Air Force capability with a search and rescue demonstration by the Westland Sea King operated by 22 Squadron at Wattisham Airfield and a display by the Shorts Tucano, operated by the Central Flying School at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Visitors to The Duxford Air Show will also enjoy the piston-engined power of the Grumman Bearcat and Wildcat duo; the elegance of the B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B; the powerful B-25 Mitchell, two de Havilland Vampires and a range of Supermarine Spitfires in a classic Battle of Britain tail chase with a Hispano Buchon (Messerschmitt Bf 109).

Entertainment continues across the museum throughout the day, with 1940s living history groups, children’s rides, the chance to clamber aboard Duxford Aviation Society’s retro airliners, fun history activities and the chance to explore the whole museum.

You can also meet Colonel Richard Graham, who flew the SR-71 Blackbird which is now on display in the American Air Museum. Colonel Graham will be hosting fascinating walk-around tours of the SR-71 Blackbird in the American Air Museum at 10.30am and noon on both days of the air show. He will also be signing copies of his new book, SR-71: The Complete Illustrated History of the Blackbird.

Join us for The Duxford Air Show, a fantastically fun flying weekend for all the family!

Advance booking has now closed but you can pay on the gate as you join us this weekend.

www.iwm.org.uk

Record-breaking Bournemouth Air Festival draws to a close

Bringing the biggest ever number of people Bournemouth has ever seen in one day, the sixth Bournemouth Air Festival scaled new heights, with an incredible 1.3 million festival-goers visiting the UK’s leading seaside resort.

The Festival got off to a great start on Thursday with more than 200,000 visitors enjoying glorious sunshine and seeing displays from the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Royal Navy Black Cat helicopter.

Friday saw the return of the RAF Typhoon display to the Bournemouth Air Festival; its first appearance in four years. Crowds of up to 235,000 watched with mouths open and ears covered as the ear splitting jet roared over the shore in an astonishing display. More than 55,000 people attended the Night Air programme on Friday, with fantastic live music at the two pier stages and a sparkling dusk air display featuring the Red Devils, complete with glow sticks and incredible pyrotechnics.

The glorious weather continued on Saturday, and with the Red Arrows opening the flying with their third display in Bournemouth, huge numbers of people packed the beaches and cliff tops before noon.

By the time the Typhoon had closed the flying displays, a record-setting 400,000 people had visited the Festival site. The people just kept on coming, with a further 42,000 witnessing the final evening of Night Air, making it the busiest day in the history of the town. And it wasn’t just the beaches and cliff tops that saw record crowd levels; out to sea almost 1,000 boats were anchored amongst the Royal Navy vessels.

The Festival drew to a close on Sunday with another impressive crowd. Joining the 275,000 people ashore were more than 500 boats taking in the fantastic displays and unbroken sunshine. Whilst the Vulcan didn’t display due to technical issues, the crowds enjoyed a fantastic variety of entertainment including powerhouse helicopter performances from the Royal Navy Black Cat, the hulking Royal Navy Merlin and a stunning Chinook display.

Also impressing were Festival newcomers Patrouille Reva, with their tight display packed with Gallic flair, British heritage jets the Vampire and Meteor, aerobatic aces The Blades and, drawing the flying to a close, an absolutely screaming performance by Bournemouth favourite Jonathon Whaley in the elegant Miss Demeanour.

This was followed by the Royal Navy delivering a booming eight-gun salute from HMS Northumberland, before all six of their vessels departed in a coordinated formation. Accompanied by a Merlin helicopter hovering overhead, the ships moved west in unison, sounding their horns while HMS Northumberland fired off more shots from her gun before an enchanted crowd.

Hundreds of thousands lined the East Overcliff and seafront across the four days, keen to score pole position for views and images. Aviation action came from the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon, Chinook, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Royal Navy Black Cats, The Blades and European Freestyle Champion Gerald Cooper to name but a few.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines joined forces with the Army to create a must-see interactive military village area, with a 20-foot climbing wall, weapons display dome and Challenger tank among the highlights.

Out to sea was the Royal Navy’s largest ever presence at the event, with six vessels appearing including the Type-23 frigate HMS Northumberland, which was open to visits for members of the public.

The stunning Dusk and Night Air displays on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights saw combined crowds of 136,000 treated to fantastic aviation action by the SWIP Team Twister Duo, fearless Red Devils, O’Brien’s Flying Circus and the Rolls Royce Spitfire.

Some of the UK’s favourite tribute acts wowed crowds at the Corona stage at Bournemouth Pier, including the Beach Buoys and Elvis Presley act Ben Portsmouth. At Boscombe, Wave105FM presented headline acts including Blue, Stooshe, The Feeling, Lisa Stansfield, Kodaline and Newton Faulkner who performed to crowds of more than 12,000 people.

Two magnificent firework displays on Friday and Saturday brought Night Air to a close with style.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director, said: “It has been an amazing event this year, the sun shined, the entertainment was superb and more than a million people came to enjoy some of the world’s best aviation teams perform spectacular displays.

“It was fantastic to see the Reds flying in their classic nine ship formation across Bournemouth’s skyline, the magnificent Typhoon roaring through the skies and seeing the Royal Navy’s eight-gun salute ending the Festival on a high. Like many Festival-goers we were disappointed that the Vulcan was unable to fly due to technical difficulties but people didn’t let it dampen their spirits – there is always next year!

“It’s been brilliant to have had such appreciative crowds, helping to make it one of our biggest and best ever Festivals so far.”

The Royal Navy and Army Village gave prime vantage points for an incredible amphibious demonstration by the Royal Marines.

Commodore Jamie Miller CBE of the Royal Navy said; “The best show yet with so many people seeing their Royal Navy and Royal Marines, our ships and aircraft, meeting the men and women who serve and being enthused.

Thank you Bournemouth. More of the same next year – that is an order not a request! See you next year if you invite us!

The RAF Village was buzzing with Festival-goers delighted to meet members of the display teams including the Red Arrows pilots and members of the iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

Flight Lieutenant Leon Creese, pilot of the BBMF Lancaster said; “It is always an honour to fly the wonderful aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Our aims are to remember the past and inspire future generations and I take great pride in playing my part in achieving both of these aims at the spectacular Bournemouth Air Festival.”

The dates for the 2014 Air Festival have been confirmed Thursday 28th August – Sunday 31st August.

http://bournemouthair.co.uk

Museum Makes Appeal to Black RAF Personnel

RAF Museum appeal

In two World Wars black people from the Caribbean, Africa and from Britain volunteered to serve in the Royal Air Force. These volunteers fought, and died, for the ‘mother country’ and for freedom, and thereby helped to preserve the values and the heritage they shared with their white comrades. The tradition of service to the Crown continues today, and the RAF is proud to welcome new generations of black volunteers into its ranks.

In the exhibition ‘Pilots of the Caribbean: Volunteers of African Heritage in the Royal Air Force’, the Royal Air Force Museum will tell the inspirational story of these volunteers, commemorating and celebrating their vital contribution to the defence of Britain, her Empire and the Commonwealth.

The exhibition will also highlight the Royal Air Force’s success in embracing diversity and also demonstrate how the rich, cosmopolitan nature of modern Britain owes much to the black men and women who wore air force blue.

Peter Dye, Director General of the Royal Air Force Museum states:

‘From First World War pilot William Robinson Clarke, to the young volunteers of today, Afro-Caribbean men and women have played an integral part in the development of the Royal Air Force and the defence of our freedoms and liberties. In this exhibition, the Royal Air Force Museum aims to celebrate their contribution to the development of modern Britain, while providing all young people with a series of role models to inspire and guide them in realising their own ambitions and dreams.

Although, we have a wealth of archive materials to draw from we would welcome stories and photographs from former, and serving, black Royal Air Force personnel and their families. If you are able to assist in the Museum with this appeal, and would like your story to be told, please email the Museum’s Research Department at research@rafmuseum.org, in the first instance, or call us on 020 8358 4873.

‘Pilots of the Caribbean : Volunteers of African Heritage in the Royal Air Force’ will open at the Royal Air Force Museum London on 1st of November 2013 before transferring to the Museum’s sister site at Cosford during Summer 2014. Both sites are open daily from 10am. Admission to both sites are free of charge.

http://www.rafmuseum.org

Come with us Back to the Forties at IWM Duxford

Duxford Back to the Forties

Enjoy two-for-one admission if you come dressed to impress in your Forties finery

Join us for our brand new event, Back to the Forties, on Sunday 29 September, as we time-travel back to Britain on the Second World War Home Front.

Come dressed in your 1940s finery, clutching your Back to the Forties voucher, which you can download from the IWM website at http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/back-to-the-forties and enjoy two-for-one entry to Back to the Forties and the whole of IWM Duxford (Sunday 29 September only).

We’re also holding a Best Dressed competition; our sartorial experts will be scrutinising entrants to find that perfectly authentic Forties look.

You’ll meet a range of wartime characters, including Land Army girls, a char lady, a wartime bobbie, a member of the Home Guard, an ARP Warden and civilians going about their daily life. Watch out for the wartime spivs who will try to charm you into buying their black market wares!

There’ll be the opportunity to sing along with your favourite 1940s songs as we hear from vocal entertainers Marina Mae, Nina Rae and Pete Wayre. Learn some nifty dance moves from our lindy hop dancers and find out how to look your best despite the clothing coupons with Harry and Edna’s Fashion on the Ration display and our Make-do-and-Mend activities.

Learn how to cook up a storm despite the ration book, discover how to put out an incendiary bomb with the National Fire Service, have a go at wartime games and visit the Women’s Voluntary Service with their indispensable tea wagon.

Listen to the authentic snap and crackle of the wartime 78s played by our gramophone DJ and be inspired to do your bit for the war effort with rousing speeches by the great wartime leader, Winston Churchill.

Living history groups bring to life the British and American forces on the Home Front. See a recreated RAF Operations Room as it would have been in the midst of the Battle of Britain in 1940, with live demonstrations showing who was in charge and how the operations room functioned as aircraft were called to ‘scramble!’

There will also be a display of RAF navigational equipment; an RAF airfield observation post, with period equipment and an RAF vehicle with Bomber Command markings; and an RAF aircrew poised to be called into action at any moment.

See a British Red Cross tent with medical equipment and tools, Home Front items and Fred, the resident casualty, who has certainly been in the wars!

There’s a display of a 1940s jeep and equipment used by British airborne troops and also of American airborne troops during D-Day.

GI 41-45 represent the 41st American Armoured Infantry on check point duty, complete with jeeps, tents and sandbags. USAAF B-17 Crews present a static dispersal point as they await their next bombing mission.

See members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force manning a Chain Home Radar Receiver Station and enjoy the gallic delights of a period 1940s French café.

We’ll also have a glorious array of period vehicles, both military and civilian. Proving that it wasn’t all war work and no play, we’ve also got a 1940s picnic scene complete with period vehicle.

Wing Co Joe’s Café will be getting into the wartime mood with some vintage decorations and a specially created Dig for Victory menu, including leek and potato soup, corn beef hash and stout gravy, chicken broth and dumplings and Dig for Victory vegetable crumble.

Ladies can indulge in some fabulously forties hair and make-up demonstrations and make some vintage purchases at our pop-up shops.

Join us for a trip back in time to the Second World War Home Front and remember, it’s unpatriotic not to look your 1940s best!

www.iwm.org.uk

Wings & Wheels triumphs with spectacular show

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels 2013 Red Arrows by Rob Sambles

The ninth consecutive Wings & Wheels started in the wet and finished in glorious sunshine as over 28,000 visitors turned up on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August to enjoy the displays.

Low cloud and rain made for a challenging Saturday with the team working tirelessly to get the air display underway. Some unavoidable cancellations due to safety gave way to outstanding demonstrations of flying skill from the Chinook, Apache Attack Helicopter and RN Lynx Black Cat Solo Helicopter Display teams. The B-25 Mitchell, celebrating 70 years since it was first stationed at the airfield, along with the Hurricane, Kittyhawk and the RN Historic Flight’s Swordfish, all battled the elements to get airborne and wow the crowds.

A new visitor favourite has been crowned with current Model Aircraft European Champions, father and son duo Steve and Matt Bishop, flying their 1/4 scale Red Arrows Hawk models in a formation display.

Brooklands Museum took to the Top Gear track with over 180 cars each day including the Porsche 911, Dodge Monaco, TVR Tasmin 280i, Ducati Mutistrada 1200s, Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, Ford GT40, Lotus Elise 49 and the stunning Benetton F1 B190.

Our first ever Wheels Club parade followed the Military Vehicle parade whilst in the Arena our living history and re-enactment demonstrations got off to an explosive start with a battle from the Screaming Eagles.

Saturday’s evening entertainment was the latest addition to Wings & Wheels with a live DJ set from the 1940s Radio Station in the Military Zone, Rock n Roll, Doowop and Rockabilly from Lights Out in the Wheels Zone and local band Geneva played something for everyone in the Central Arena.

Sunday saw a return to form with the weather improving and the Show kicking off with a display from the Jet Provost MK5. The diverse 5 hour Airshow also included the Avro Vulcan, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Lancaster, Hurricane), RN Sea Fury, Team Breitling Wingwalkers, Glider FX and the Blades all capped off with a stunning performance by the Typhoon and Apache. The displays were accompanied by witty and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and display pilots.

For the very first time, the Fairey Swordfish of the Royal Navy Historic Flight flew with two Stearmans from the Breitling Team, to form a unique formation of biplanes. To top it off, the Sea Fury of the Royal Navy Historic Flight also joined the formation. During the weekend, the Royal Navy Swordfish also flew in formation with a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter, in tribute to the history of Naval Aviation.

The Red Arrows put on an extra special display during Sunday’s Show to make-up for the previous day’s cancellation with a further 10 minutes added to their normal flying routine.

Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’ opened for tours as visitors also flocked to view the rarely seen Alouette Helicopter from the Belgium Air Force.

The Stunt Zone returned with fast action rally driving drift displays from Team Morley whilst Flyin Ryan and his band of merry bikers showed off gravity defying demonstrations of balance, back flips and somersaults in some hair raising pyrotechnic stunt performances proving two wheels are just as dramatic as four!

Jamie McAllister, Event Director Wings & Wheels comments: “After a challenging start to the weekend Wings & Wheels ended triumphantly. Our visitors are incredible and we can’t thank them enough for their support and enthusiasm, nothing dampened their sprits as they enjoyed everything the Show had to offer in the air and on the ground. Unique formations from the bi-planes, a debut display from the model flying Reds Duo, explosive battles in the Military Zone as well as classic and exotic racing cars in the Wheels Zone meant there was something to see and do throughout the weekend for all members of the family. A lot of people work tirelessly to put the Show on and volunteer their time over the weekend and to them we owe enormous thanks.”

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2013 assisted the fundraising efforts for Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

http://www.wingsandwheels.net/

Handley Page Hastings repaint at Newark Air Museum

Handley Page Hastings Newark Air Museum

The recent spell of reasonably settled weather has enabled the Newark Air Museum Restoration Manager and a small team of museum volunteers to make good progress with the restoration work on Handley Page Hastings TG517.

Most of the difficult to reach sections of the fuselage have now been cleaned, de-corroded and repainted. Work has also been completed on the undersides of the wings and is now underway on the engine nacelles, propeller sand upper wing surfaces.

The Handley Page Hastings TG517 was flown in to join the collection, landing on the runway at the former RAF Winthorpe airfield on 22nd June 1977 and is greatly valued part of the themed display of training aircraft at Newark Air Museum.

TG517 saw service during both the Berlin Airlift (Operation Plainfare) and the Icelandic Cod War (Operation Heliotrope). The aircraft is regularly opened to the public, where they can see the T5 equipment fit that it operated with at the RAF Bombing School at RAF Lindholme and then at RAF Scampton, where it trained Vulcan crew members to operate radar bomb-sight equipment mounted in the distinctive ventral radome.

Everyone at the museum is hoping for continued spells of good weather so the repaint can be completed before the winter months.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/

Wings & Wheels set to soar through the airwaves

Wings & Wheels is excited to announce that we are teaming up with Eagle Extra over the Show weekend, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August, to bring you all the latest traffic and travel news, Show stories and live commentary through the *New* Wings & Wheels Radio Station.

From 6am to 9pm we’ll be broadcasting on 87.9FM with Eagle Extra. Kim Robson will bring special reports from the aerodrome between 7am and 9am and then again at 5pm to 7pm chatting to drivers, pilots, participants in the arena and the Wings & Wheels Crew as she brings you exclusive behind the scenes interviews. Latest traffic and travel news will feature throughout the day as we help you to and from the Aerodrome.

From further afield you can listen to Eagle Extra available on 1566MW or http://www.eagleextra.co.uk where you’ll get all of the Airshow radio news, along with the best songs of all time.

Kim Robson, Eagle Extra comments: “I love Wings & Wheels and have been to the Show every year. To get to go behind the scenes and chat to everyone from pilots to drivers, the team who organize it and the visitors in an official capacity is really exciting. At Eagle Extra we’re also going to bring the most up to date traffic and travel news with focus on the immediate roads around the Aerodrome.”

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, comments: “Communicating with our visitors is really important so we’re delighted to be working in partnership with Eagle Extra to bring Wings & Wheels Radio to the Show this year. As well as exclusive behind the scenes interviews, the radio show will bring travel updates, Show information and commentary as it happens so we’d recommend all our visitors, on and off site, tune in.”

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 20:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £150 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 2013 will be assisting fundraising efforts for Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Unique flypast by Boeing 747-8F at The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 7 September

Duxford 747 flypast

We are delighted to announce that a Boeing 747-8F, operated by Stansted Airport-based Global Supply Systems Limited and leased to British Airways World Cargo will be appearing at The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 7 September. This will be the debut air show appearance by a Boeing 747-8F in the UK.

The largest freighter aircraft on the British register, the Boeing 747-8F will make two flypasts at The Duxford Air Show. It will be a magnificent sight as it fills the skies over IWM Duxford.

David Curgenven, Head of Quality and Safety at Global Supply Systems Limited said: “We are delighted to be flying over The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 7 September and hope that visitors will be thrilled by the spectacle of the Boeing 747-8F as it overflies IWM Duxford’s historic airfield.”

The Boeing 747 carries around half of the world’s air freight. In November 2011, Global Supply Systems Limited became the first operator in the UK of the 747-8F, receiving the second and third aircraft in December 2011. All three aircraft went into service immediately after arrival at Stansted Airport.

Compared to passenger models of the aircraft, the upper deck is shorter, while the fuselage is stretched by 5.575 metres. It has a maximum take-off weight of 442,000 kg, with a maximum payload of 140,000 kgs. The aircraft can fly non-stop for 4,390miles.

David Curgenven says: “We carry everything from Formula One cars to live animals to outsize cargo such as wind turbine blades.”

Don’tmiss this rare opportunity to see the majestic Boeing 747-8F dominate the skies over IWM Duxford on Saturday 7 September at The Duxford Air Show.

Purchase your tickets for The Duxford Air Show by Bank Holiday Monday 26 August at our advance booking rate and enjoy 10% off our ‘on the day’ ticket prices. Also, one free child ticket is available with every adult or senior ticket purchased in advance.

For further information on The Duxford Air Show, including ticket prices, go to www.iwm.org.uk

Excitement builds with only 10 days to Wings & Wheels

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels Hurricane

The Wings & Wheels press launch kicked off with a preview taste of the air and motoring Show today (Tuesday 13th August 2013). GliderFX, the Hangar 11 Hurricane, model jet championship winning Reds Duo team and a host of motoring participants from Brooklands Museum, including the Benetton Formula One car, descended on the Aerodrome to showcase their displays ahead of the Show on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August.

First in was Guy Westgate from GliderFX in his MDM-1 ‘Fox’ glider which is capable of ‘unlimited’ aerobatics. Next to display was a new addition to the Wings & Wheels line-up the Reds Duo team. Current Model Aircraft World Champions, father and son duo Steve and Matt Bishop, flew their 1/4 scale Red Arrows Hawk models in a formation display. They both hold private pilots licenses’ and describe the models as ‘harder to fly than the real thing’.

Concluding the flying demonstrations was the rare version of a famous and much loved classic British fighter, the 1942 Hurricane flown by Peter Teichman. The historic former Royal Canadian Air Force Hurri-bomber did a captivating flypast before landing and allowing guests a firsthand look.

Hitting the Top Gear track was a collection of modern and historic cars and motorbikes from Brooklands Museum which included John Reaks’ Benetton B190 which was used in the 1990 Formula One season. Nelson Piquet drove the car and won the final two races of that year, in Japan and Australia, to come overall third in the drivers’ championship. Also along for the ride were a selection of AC Cobra’s, GT40’s, E-Type Jaguar’s and a Yamaha Formula 1 Racing Sidecar from Des Lindsey.

The UK’s most famous Boeing 747 threw open its doors for a very special tour of behind the scenes trivia and a guided journey through the plane from our team of 747 aficionados.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, comments: “Wings & Wheels is a great value, affordable family day out and this year we have lined up incredible aviation, motoring and military entertainment for the weekend. We are delighted to welcome back the Red Arrows and the Vulcan Bomber but also the Chinook, Typhoon and the Reds Duo – our first model flyers to perform at the Show. The Wheels has taken another step forward this year with a new crowd line parade from the Wheels Club Zone, the returning motoring demonstration and some incredibly interesting and rare military vehicles in the Military Zone where re-enactors will also be re-creating a battle for visitors. It’s going to be our best Show yet!”

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2013 will be assisting fundraising efforts for Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.