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/

Tags: 2013, August, Dunsfold Wings & Wheels Airshow, News