Category: UK Airshow News

The 10th Wings & Wheels Show basked in sunshine over the weekend as more than 40,000 visitors turned up on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August to enjoy the event.

The Chinook opened the air display both days with their exciting, high energy manoeuvres before the Mitchell soared through the sky in the first of the historical aircraft with close links to the Aerodrome.

Eight aircraft from the Second World War made a fitting tribute to the 70th anniversary of D-Day as the Old Flying Machine Company’s Spitfire and Mustang, Aces High Dakota DC3 and the RNAFHF B25 Mitchell flew in the first part of a unique formation. The crowd fell silent both days as the second part filled the sky led by a once in a lifetime formation made up of the Canadian Lancaster and BBMF Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane.

On Saturday a formation by the Vulcan and Gnats display team continued the Show’s tradition of arranging one off and interesting flying combinations. The Red Arrows marked their 50th display season with a faultless performance on Sunday, also marking the Aerodromes’ 40th anniversary of the first time the Hawk flew from the site.

The five hour air displays were not only packed with action from The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers, Midair Squadron Canberra and Hunter but also by explosions which rocked the arena thanks to a stunning display of pyrotechnic power by the Apache Attack Helicopter Display Team.

Brooklands Museum took to the Top Gear track with over 220 cars each day including a mix of modern and classic cars from the Porsche, TVR, Ferrari, Ford GT40 to the stunning Napier-Railton Special and Railton Terraplane Sport Tourer.

Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’ opened for tours as visitors also flocked to the newest addition to the Aerdrome, the VC10 owned by Brooklands Museum.

Another new addition to the Show was a morning slot for remote controlled aircraft, including the 1/4 scale Red Arrows Hawk models flown by father and son duo Steve and Matt Bishop.

The Stunt Zone returned with The White Helmets performing spectacular feats of balance, death defying crossover rides and outstanding acrobatics on their hand built British Millennium Triumph 750cc motorcycles supported by modified car club South Evolution.

The military vehicle and car parades showcased the assortment of wheels the event had attracted, whilst the re-enactment battles from the Screaming Eagles went off with a bang.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We are delighted with the success that Wings & Wheels has become, it has grown tremendously since the first event in 2005. So much so, that for the first time in the Show’s history, we had to make the difficult decision to stop on the day ticket sales on Sunday to ensure the continued enjoyment of those already at the event.

The displays and attractions were first class with the Canadian and BBMF Lancaster’s fly-past just one in a long line of highlights from the weekend. This, combined with great Bank Holiday weather, meant we experienced some traffic delays. Traffic is a challenge for any large event and we will continue to look at a variety of measures to do what we can to improve the flow on and off site for next year’s Show. Our team work tirelessly to put on Wings & Wheels with support from volunteers who donate their time before and during the Show. We owe them enormous thanks for the success the event has now become.”

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2014 assisted the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

 www.wingsandwheels.net

The last airworthy Avro Vulcan will be putting on a powerful display as she returns to Wings & Wheels on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August this summer.

She won’t be alone though as on Saturday the Show has another special formation planned with the Vulcan and three Gnats of the Red Gnat Display Team performing a flypast.

The Vulcan to the Sky’s Avro Vulcan XH558 is the only flying example of the country’s powerful V-Force. Painted in “anti-flash” white, XH558 was delivered on 1st July 1960, from the factory at Woodford, near Manchester, to RAF Waddington near Lincoln. XH558 was the first Vulcan B.Mk2 to be delivered to the RAF, and she is now the oldest complete Vulcan in the world.

XH558 was also the last Vulcan to leave RAF service, flying on from 1986 to 1993 as the single RAF Display Vulcan, a career spanning 33 years. Her final flight was on 23rd March 1993 to Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire, having been sold off by the Ministry of Defence to C Walton Ltd, a family firm which purchased and maintained her. In 1997, a small team, headed by Dr Robert Plemming, put together an audacious plan to return her to flight which took place in October 2007.

The Red Gnat Display Team is part of The Heritage Aircraft Trust (a UK registered Charity), dedicated to the restoration and conservation of classic historic aircraft. Its home base is at North Weald Airfield near London in Essex. The team currently consists of three Folland Gnat T. Mk1 aircraft expertly maintained and displayed and is the only civilian supersonic jet aerobatic display team on the air show circuit.

Jamie McAllister, Events Director comments: “As well as solo displays, the Vulcan and Red Gnat Display Team will be performing a one off fly past on Saturday, the second unique formation to take place over the weekend. We are very excited to have these aircraft join the line-up at Wings & Wheels, which is shaping up to be a 10th celebration to remember.”

The 10th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August 2014, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

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 2014 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

The Wings & Wheels press launch got off to a sunny start today (12th August 2014) as the Aerodrome’s resident DC3 took to the skies with the Old Flying Machine Company’s P-51 Mustang to kick off the 10 day count down to the Show.Well known for adding a little extra magic in the air with some memorable and unusual formation displays, Wings & wheels confirmed that a very special tribute is planned to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Eight aircraft from the Second World War will grace the skies above the Aerodrome in a two section flypast. Section one will comprise of the Old Flying Machine Company’s Spitfire and Mustang, Aces High Dakota DC3 and the RNAFHF B25 Mitchell. With a separation, section two will be formed by the Canadian Lancaster and BBMF Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane in section two.

All these aircraft have history with Dunsfold Aerodrome as well as having played vital roles in the Second World War and will display on both days.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We have been able to pull off some spectacular formation displays over the years including last year’s collaboration between the Swordfish, Sea Fury and Wingwalkers. For our 10th birthday and the 70th anniversary of D-Day the team have put together something people will never see in the air together again. It will be an emotional and fitting tribute.”

Brooklands Museum had an assortment of vintage vehicles including the 1907 Berliet-Curtiss Racer and more modern GT40’s and Jaguars. Surrey based modified car club South Evolution took to the track in Minis, Mazdas and a 2 litre Mitsubishi Eclipse, a replica of the car Paul Walker drove in the very first Fast and Furious movie.

Wings & Wheels was also delighted to announce the Brooklands Museum VC10 will be open for public tours over the Show weekend and gave press a sneak peek.

Robin Voice, Brooklands Museum VC10 Project Manager comments: “We are looking forward to opening the VC10 to the public at Wings & Wheels. The team of volunteers have worked hard to keep the aircraft in running order so it’s vital we continue to raise awareness of our work through the tours. The tours will not only give visitors a fascinating insight into the VC10, but help us with our fundraising efforts.”

Tours will be limited and available to pre-book over the weekend on a first come first serve basis. A donation of £2 per person is suggested and will go towards the on-going restoration of the aircraft.

The 10th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August 2014, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 21:00.

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 2014 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

The world’s only air-worthy Canberra PR9 will be celebrating its 65th anniversary and displaying at Wings & Wheels for the first time on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August as part of the Midair Squadron’s display.

The Midair Squadron’s Canberra XH134 has been restored with an authentic paint scheme which represents the markings worn when the type entered service. Visitors will get to view its all-over silver paint scheme, complete with tri-colour roundels, fin-flash and large black ‘XH134′ markings under each wing, as it displays both days at the Aerodrome in Surrey.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We are thrilled to confirm the Canberra XH134’s participation at Wings & Wheels. It is the first time we have welcomed the jet to Dunsfold and look forward to the team demonstrating its phenomenal jet power to our visiting crowds.”

The Canberra entered service with the RAF in 1951 as its first jet powered bomber. It was unarmed and relied on highspeed to escape enemy fighters. During its first ten years of service, the Canberra broke nineteen flight records and three altitude records including winning the London to New Zealand Air Race in 1953 with a world speed record and the first jet flight over the North Pole in 1954.

The Canberra is believed to be the world’s longest serving bomber and most recently provided support during conflicts in the Balkans and Middle East. And, because of its ability to fly at nearly 60,000 ft., it was also used for clandestine photo reconnaissance work during the Cold War. The ‘English Electric’ Canberra was sold to air forces all over the world and a total 1,347 were built. The aircraft retired from active duty in 2006.

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy the world famous Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane), Vulcan, Chinook, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s (CWHM) prized Avro Lancaster and a host of other modern and historic aircraft during the five hour flying displays. For four and two wheeled fans, supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a two hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum.

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.

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 2014 will be assisting the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.