The public face of the RAF, the Red Arrows, will be delighting Wings & Wheels visitors on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August as the team headline the 2017 air display at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

Flying the distinctive Hawk jets, which flew off the production line at Dunsfold Aerodrome in 1974 in the hands of Duncan Simpson, the Hawk is the Royal Air Force’s advanced trainer and has been used by the Red Arrows since 1979. The squadron is renowned across the world for displaying a nine-ship formation of the British-built fast-jets.

The display is the result of nearly eight months’ intensive training each year, the majority of this completed during the winter months at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. Three of the display pilots are brand new to the team for 2017 – Flight Lieutenants Toby Keeley, Dan Lowes and Chris Lyndon-Smith. Chris returns for a second tour with the Red Arrows and will fly this season as Red 5. Toby and Dan will form up on either side of Red 1, flying as Reds 2 and 3. Typically, air crew spend three years as a Red Arrows pilot. Each of the pilots has fast-jet operational experience flying the Tornado or the Typhoon.

The first half of the Red Arrows’ display consists of synchronised, formation aerobatics, followed by a more dynamic second half. Reds 1 to 5 form the front section of the team’s formation, known as Enid, and Reds 6 to 9 make up the rear part, called Gypo. The Synchro Pair, Reds 6 and 7, perform the highly-popular opposition manoeuvres during the latter section of the show. During a display, Red 10 acts as the team’s Supervisor who maintains two-way radio contact with the Team Leader. He also provides the informative and entertaining commentary.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “The Red Arrows are a cherished national symbol and we are thrilled they are headlining Wings & Wheels this year. Their precision and incredible aerobatics make for a spectacular display to watch and are always a huge hit with our visitors.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy other air displays including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (two Spitfires and Lancaster), Chinook (Saturday only), Apache Display Team with pyrotechnics, Tigers Parachute Team, The Blades and much, much more.

The ‘Wings’ of the event would not be complete without a close-up inspection of all the weekend’s visiting aircraft including the Royal Navy Wildcat, RAF Puma, Apache, Dunsfold’s resident Sea Hawk, and Hunter as well as the infamous Boeing 747, the Brooklands VC10 and Aces High DC3, all open for tours.

Supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe-inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular. The ‘Wheels’ of the show includes displays from McLaren 12C, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster and Huracan, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari California T, Aston Martin Rapide, Dodge Monaco, TVR Tasmin 280i, Ducati Multistrada 1200s, Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, Ford GT40 and Lotus Elise.

Visit the Wheels Zone with a bigger and better crowd line parade and interactive displays from car and motorbike clubs. The Stunt Zone will be exploding into 2017 with four wheeled hair-raising performances from Mission Motorsport and the popular Monster Truck arena returns offering demonstrations and passenger rides.

The Military Zone & Parade is interactive and explosive bringing re-enactors, a living history zone, and our popular military vehicle parade. The Zone has over 80 military vehicles, re-enactment groups, as well as the history of Dunsfold Aerodrome and Army, Navy and RAF recruitment stands for everyone’s enjoyment.

Sid’s Zone is an action packed free area for the little ones. From 10:00 until 16:00 the kids can join in with colouring competitions, arts and crafts, paper plane challenges, face painting and the popular Sid’s Trail which encourages the whole family to search the arena for questions and answers to win a goody bag. Meet and greets with show mascot Siddeley and the display pilots are not to be missed.

The excitement and anticipation doesn’t stop at the main displays as the 32-acre public arena is bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions containing all you need for a great family day out. The show arena boasts, kit-plane demonstrations, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, fairground and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts. Shopping in the arena includes a craft marquee full of craft gifts and tempting tea time treats to take home as well as a *New* Vintage Market with hair and make-up, clothes and collectables.

As the last plane touches down the party starts across the arena with musical evening entertainment from Champagne at the Blitz, a 1940s songbird trio armed with smooth harmonies, seamed nylons and lots and LOTS of red lippy!

Taking the hassle out of your day the show includes added extras to make your experience even more enjoyable; over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, two 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 13th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th August 2017, 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 2017 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

Tags: 2017, Dunsfold Wings & Wheels Airshow, July, News