Experience the virtual skies at Cosford

Flight Sim at RAF Museum Cosford

Date: 8 October 2016

Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Cost: £7 in advance / £10 on the door

Aviation fans can experience the virtual skies in Shropshire next month as the Flight Sim 2016 event heads to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.  Taking place on Saturday 8 October, aviation enthusiasts will enjoy a day packed with all the latest flight simulation software and the chance to test out their virtual flying skills.

After three very successful shows held at the museum, the UK’s largest Flight Sim show will be returning to Cosford for an even bigger and better event. Just Flight, one of the UK’s leading flight simulation software publishers, will be hosting this major gathering in association with PC Pilot magazine to show visitors the very best in desktop flying.  Building on the success of previous events, organisers are anticipating in excess of 1,500 visitors will attend the one day show.

Visitors will be able to get hands on and fly the latest flight simulation aircraft, preview ‘in development’ projects, check out the latest hardware and chat with leading developers, publishers and other enthusiasts in addition to the many exhibitors at the show.

This show will take place in the museum’s Hangar 1 from 10am until 5pm, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy the wide range of entertainment on offer.  So whether you’re a veteran desktop pilot, flight simulation novice, or someone thinking of getting airborne in the virtual skies for the first time, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. 

Visitors attending the Flight Sim 2016 event this autumn will experience the best of both, the virtual world and the real world of aviation, as they explore the world class collection of aircraft and exhibitions on display at the RAF Museum Cosford.

Advance tickets for Flight Sim 2016 are now on sale online for just £7 per person and can be purchased up until 6 October, with free entry for under 16s accompanied by an adult. Advanced ticket holders will also receive a free goody bag on arrival which includes; a boxed add-on from Just Flight, a Dovetail Games code for a free add-on, an Aerosoft code for a discounted product, a copy of PC Pilot and a Pro-Sim Air stress ball!

Tickets purchased on the day cost £10 per person. For further information on the event or to purchase your tickets in advance, please visit the show’s website www.flightsimulatorshow.com .

To cope with the additional visitors, a free park and ride will operate from Cosford train station with regular pickups throughout the day.  Entry to the museum is free of charge and on-site parking is available (charges apply). Entry into Hangar 1 on Saturday 8 October will be for Flight Sim 2016 ticket holders only.

www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Hampden bomber gets new lease of life

Hampden bomber

A rare example of a Handley Page Hampden being restored at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is making huge steps towards completion of the fuselage section.   As one of the Museum’s longest running conservation projects, the aircraft is starting to take shape now thanks to one of the museum’s skilled Aircraft Technicians who is building a large section of the aircraft from scratch!

The museums Hampden, serial number P1344 is one of only three examples of the type remaining and was recovered from a crash site in northern Russia in 1991 and acquired by the RAF Museum the following year.  Restoration on the badly damaged airframe has been a slow labour of love for the team at Cosford, but since it was taken under the wings of full time Aircraft Technician Dave Carr 18 months ago, the project has been propelled and the unmistakable Hampden silhouette can now easily be recognised.  

With the project now stepped up a gear, visitors who viewed it during last year’s open week just ten months ago will remember seeing the tailplane assembly, a predominantly new build manufactured on site at Cosford.  The Hampden’s salvaged fin and rudder parts were fully restored and with little else of the original tailplane remaining following the aircrafts crash landing, Dave used pre-production drawings and built formers to create the components he needed including a new elevator.  Following the build, the rudders received a new covering of Irish linen and the tailplane assembly was given a new coat of paint in its initial Bomber Command camouflage colour scheme; the assembly was well received by aviation fans who visited during the open week last November. 

Eagle eyed visitors will have also noticed that work had just started on the forward fuselage and the beginning of the frame work was starting to take shape.  Since then Dave has focussed his efforts on the forward fuselage and cockpit section and in just twelve months the section is now almost 75% complete and is estimated to be fully manufactured by Spring 2017.  Work on this section began with creating formers and building the entire framework from scratch.  Some components including instrument panels, seat mounting and windscreen frames have also been produced and fitted. Castings and a few components from P1344 have been restored and fitted to the newly built forward fuselage and work is now underway skinning the section.

The entire new section has been assembled using original Handley Page pre-production drawings from the late 1930s and where possible, measurements taken from the partial wreckage remaining from the original aircraft.   As the build procedure for the Hampden is not documented on any of the original drawings, the build has required a lot of forward thinking to ensure components were fitted in the correct order, as not to cause complications further down the line. 

RAF Museum Aircraft Technician, Dave Carr said:

“I have worked at the RAF Museum for over 18 years and this has by far been the biggest project I have worked on from a scratch build point of view; usually we are conserving and repairing aircraft. Because I don’t have a build procedure, I always have to work about five steps forward to ensure the correct components are fitted before the aircraft is skinned i.e. anchor nuts, brackets etc. It is being constructed as accurately as possible, although there will be some subtle differences as I’ve had to manufacture with hand tools and limited machinery, rather than the original factory machinery which doesn’t exist anymore. It’s very rewarding and motivating to see the aircraft coming together.”

The lower forward frame work is still to be complete as well as frame work for the nose section followed by the instillation of electrical and hydraulic components.  An original Hampden seat salvaged from a crashed Hampden in Patricia Bay, Vancouver will also be incorporated into the new cockpit.  Once complete, the next phase will see the new section programmed into the museums paint shop where it will undergo a full re spray to match the tailplane.

All effort on the aircraft is going into manufacturing the fuselage section which is hoped will be completed sometime in 2018.

Visitors to the museum will be able to view the continuing progress on the Hampden during the Conservation Centre Open Week from14-19 November.  By November it is hoped that the lower longerons will have been manufactured and fitted to the forward fuselage so visitors will see an almost fully complete frame.  Work is also continuing on the rear fuselage repairing damage caused during its crash landing.  The Conservation Centre will open between 10.15am and 1.00pm each day and admission is £5.00 per person (children under 16 are free and must be accompanied by an adult).

The Museum’s other hangars will be open from 10am until 5pm and entry to the museums is free of charge.  For further information, please visit the museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford or call 01902 376200.

Newark Air Museum Indoor Aeroboot Aviation & Avionics Sale

Newark Air Museum Aeroboot

Saturday 15th October 2016

The next Newark Air Museum Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Sale at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire takes place on Saturday 15th October 2016. This charity fund raising event has attracted interest from a wide range of sellers and once again looks set to be a sell-out event.

The funds that the museum raises from organising the event will be used to support the Project Panini (Mod) fund raising campaign to build new Café & Toilet facilities at the museum, which is located in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the Lincolnshire border.

Around 45 tables, featuring a host of different sellers, who come from around the UK will be arranged amongst the aircraft in Display Hangar 2 at the museum.

Buyers / visitors who attend this fund raising event will have the opportunity to search through a varied selection of aviation and avionic items: including books, paintings, prints, DVDs, plastic kits, die-cast models, clothing, radio equipment and aircraft parts. Regular updates / sellers information are being posted on the news page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org

Buyers / visitors at this event will be able to access the museum site on Saturday 15th October, 2016 at a special discounted admission price of just £5.00 per person.

The museum opening times will be 09.00 to 17.00 hours; with the sale taking place between 09.00 and 14.00 hours; to get the best bargains we suggest that you get there early.

Further details are available on the Events Page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org or by telephoning 01636 707170.

Air Tattoo DVD Ready For Take Off

RIAT 2016 DVD

Relive the thrills, buzz and excitement of the 2016 Royal International Air Tattoo with the airshow’s officialsouvenir DVD and special Collector’s Editiondue to hit the shelves soon.

Expertly shot in high definition and ultra-high 4K resolution by aviation film specialistsPlanesTV, the Air Tattoo DVD includes in-cockpit footage, behind-the-scenes features and pilot interviews alongside coverage of the extensive flying display, arrivals and departures.

All the highlights from the world’s biggest military airshow have been captured including the show-stopping international display debut of the F-35B, whose manoeuvrability and hovering capabilities were demonstrated for the first time to a UK audience by RAF test pilot Squadron Leader Hugh Nichols. The aircraft also appears in an iconic joint flypast with the Red Arrows and two RAF Typhoons, which provided a dramatic demonstration of UK airpower to the Air Tattoo’s sell-out crowd.

The final ever display by French Air Force display team Ramex Delta also features as does the Croatian Air Force’s aerobatic display team KrilaOluje (Wings of Storm), who became the first participants from the country to appear at the airshow.

Viewers will be able to experience a pilot’s eye view thanks to extensivecockpit footage captured during thrilling aerial displays by aircraft such as the RAF Typhoon, Strikemaster, Solo Turk, the Polish MiG-29 as well asF-16s from Belgium, Greece and Poland.

In addition to the main programme, there’s a further two hours of special features including an extended look at the F-35, the Air Cadets’ 75th Anniversary celebrations and in-cockpit features with running pilot commentary.

Also featured on the DVD is the first official engagement for two-year-old Prince George, who attended the airshow with his parents, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The visit saw the Royal trio meet the Red Arrows and sit in a Squirrel helicopter, the same aircraft the Duke trained on whilst based at RAF Shawbury.

Sold in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, the official Royal International Air Tattoo 2016Official Souvenir DVD is priced £20 (Blu-ray, £25). The two-disc Collector’s Edition DVD, featuring anadditional two hours of special features including extended in-cockpit action, and full coverage of arrivals and departures, is priced £30 (Blu-ray, £35).

A must-buy for aviation fans of all ages, the official Air Tattoo 2016 official souvenir discscan be pre-ordered from www.airtattoo.com.

Air Tattoo to Salute US Air Force

F-35A and P51

THERE will be a distinct American flavour at next summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford as it pays a special tribute to one of the world’s largest air forces on its 70th anniversary.

The airshow, which takes place on July 14-16, will showcase the wide range of operational roles performed by the US Air Force (USAF) as well as the strong relationship it enjoys with the Royal Air Force and its other NATO allies.

Over the years the Air Tattoo has staged memorable celebrations marking significant USAF anniversaries, most notably in 1997 when the stealthy B-2 bomber made its first ever landing in the UK and in 2007, with the hugely popular appearance of the USAF Thunderbirds aerobatic display team.

Super Earlybird admission tickets for next summer’s airshow go on sale this week for a limited period.

The £29 cost of a Friday ticket has been frozen at this year’s price whilst the Saturday and Sunday Super Earlybird ticket, priced at £42,represents a saving of almost 25 per cent on the cost of a standard admission ticket. They will be available until January 31, 2017.

The Air Tattoo’s close relationship with the US Air Force stretches back to 1973 when the Americans provided the airshow with a home, first at RAF Greenham Common, and then, in 1985, at RAF Fairford.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Andy Armstrong said: “Where better to stage an international celebration of the US Air Force on its 70th anniversary than at a USAF base that happens to be the home of the world’s biggest and most exciting military airshow. I’m confident that once again the airshow will be a sell-out success so I urge people to buy before February and avoid paying top dollar!”

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually at RAF Fairford in support of the RAF Charitable Trust. To purchase Super Earlybird admission tickets and to view enclosure options, visit www.airtattoo.com. All accompanied under-16s are admitted free of charge. Free parking.

Roald Dahl and his RAF journey to literacy stardom

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

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

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

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

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.