Tag: August

World Famous ‘Huey’ Joins Wings & Wheels Airshow

Huey at Wings and Wheels

For the first time at Wings & Wheels the Bell UH-1 or ‘Huey’ will be displaying in the five-hour Airshow on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August

One of the most famous helicopters in the world, it is to helicopters what the Spitfire and the P51 Mustang are to fixed wing aircraft. The Huey’s most famous role will be remembered as the Air Assault and Medivac operations in the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1975. They flew 36,145,000 sorties during the conflict. Somewhere in the region of 2,600 Hueys were based in Vietnam.

The Hughes OH-6A was designed for use as a military scout during the Vietnam war to meet the US Army’s need for an extremely manoeuvrable light observation helicopter.

The helicopter on display at Wings & Wheels is a genuine Vietnam veteran and the first time this magnificent helicopter will display at Dunsfold.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “Helicopters are without doubt incredibly popular at Wings & Wheels and so we are all delighted to be adding the world famous ‘Huey’ to our five-hour Airshow. Another first for our line-up and will definitely be a hit with our visitors.”

Visitors to Wings & Wheels can also enjoy other air displays including the Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (two Spitfires and Lancaster), Chinook (Saturday only), Apache Display Team with pyrotechnics, Tigers Parachute Team, Blades, B25 Mitchell 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.

Wolverhampton built Defiant is highlight of Open Cockpits Evening

Boulton Paul Defiant

Date: 15-16 September 2017
Time: 6.00pm to 9.00pm
Cost: £12.50 per person

The Wolverhampton built, Second World War British Battle of Britain fighter aircraft, Boulton Paul Defiant Mk1 will be one of the highlights at the forthcoming ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 15-16 September 2017.

The Boulton Paul Defiant Mk 1 joined the aircraft display at Cosford only a few short months ago and with just 300 tickets available per evening, organisers are anticipating the event will be hugely popular with aviation fans eager to get the first close look inside (no internal access). The aircraft is the last surviving example of its kind, built by Boulton Paul at its Pendeford, Wolverhampton factory in 1938. This two-seat turret fighter, operated with mixed fortunes during the Battle of Britain period but found its niche as a night fighter during 1940-42.

The RAF Museum’s example, serial number N1671 was operated by the newly formed No 307 (Polish) Squadron RAF, who became operational in December 1940. It was painted in its all black night fighter colour scheme the following January and carried out 15 patrols before moving to No 285 (Anti-aircraft Co-Operation) Squadron in June 1942, its last operational user.

RAF Museum Cosford Curator, Al McLean said:
“After four decades on display at the RAF Museum London, the sole surviving intact Defiant example of its type was transferred to Cosford for aviation fans in the Midlands to enjoy. The new arrival has been added to the list of aircraft open at the September Open Cockpits Evening, making this the first time enthusiasts will be able to view inside the cockpit of this iconic British fighter.”

Also new to the ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ line-up is a former frontline fighter the Gloster Gladiator 1 – the first enclosed cockpit and last biplane fighter introduced into RAF service. Although Gladiators saw operational service at home it was most successfully employed overseas particularly in the defence of Malta. At the outbreak of the Second World War, four home based RAF fighter squadrons equipped with Gladiators were sent to France and after just ten days of hard fighting, all the aircraft had been lost. In a desperate attempt to provide fighter cover for the ‘little ships’ involved in the Dunkirk evacuation, a detachment of home based aircraft known as ‘G’ Flight was formed at RAF Manston, Kent. They were quickly deployed to assist with the rescue of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers trapped on the beaches.

During the early war years, Gladiators were used by the RAF in several other overseas operations including; Norway, Greece, North Africa and the Middle East. The Museum’s example, serial number K8042 was also used for gun trials and experiments, whereby an additional pair was fitted under the top wing, giving a total of six guns instead of the usual four. Like the Defiant it’s displayed alongside, the Gladiator is also a new addition to the aircraft display at Cosford and the September event is the first opportunity for aviation fans to view the interior (no internal access).

Other highlights for visitors on the night will include the Fairey Delta 2 (FD2) – one of only two FD2S ever built, devised in response to Britain trailing behind in supersonic aircraft design during the late 1940s. Plus, the Saunders-Roe SR53 – this interceptor used a rocket motor to climb rapidly to high altitudes and reached Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) at high altitude during trials.

RAF Museum Cosford Public Events Manager, Abi Betteridge said:
“Visitors will also be able to view inside the rear fuselage of the Avro Lincoln B2, never before opened to the public. Just too late to see service during the Second World War, the Lincoln became the mainstay of Bomber Command post-war, but was destined for a short front line career as the Cold War and the jet age brought the shortcomings of its performance into sharp relief. It’s one of our most popular aircraft and this is the first time it’s been included in the event, we hope visitors will enjoy the rare opportunity to take a look inside the fuselage.”

Ticket holders will also have exclusive after-hours access to the Museum from 6pm to 9pm to experience what it feels like to sit inside a military aircraft that’s seen action around the world and marvel at the advanced technologies on unique airframes. A total of 15 aircraft will be available on the night and to make sure visitors get the most out of the event and access as many cockpits as possible, there will be a large team of Volunteers manning each aircraft to answer any questions from visitors.

Tickets are now available to purchase through the Museum’s website http://www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and cost £12.50 per person which includes parking. Minimum height restrictions of 1.07 metres will apply. The Museum will close at 5.00pm both days; however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open for ticket holders and will be serving a special ‘Open Cockpits Evening’ menu.

Thrilling Chinook to display at Wings & Wheels

Chinook at Wings and Wheels

A familiar sight over the skies of Dunsfold Aerodrome, the Chinook will be displaying at Wings & Wheels on Saturday 26th August.

For the 2017 Display Season Squadron Leader Matt Holloway and the team have created a new display formation sequence consisting of 17 different manoeuvres including, the opening Run in to Crowd Centre for Nose Over with Turn Away, Pedal Turn, ‘Roller Coaster’ (Nose Over followed by Nose Over), 360 degree Wingover at Crowd Centre, 180 degree Nose Down Quickstop, Taxi Sideways for Crewman Wave, 540 degree ‘Gorni’ Corkscrew, 315 degree Spiral Descent to break from Crowd
Before they finish with the Over the Shoulder Departure.

It’s a thrilling display which not only shows how skilful the pilots are, but the versatility and manoeuvrability of the Chinook helicopter used for trooping, resupply and battlefield Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and for carrying internal and/or underslung loads.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We can never see enough of the Chinook and its impressive display. The skill the pilots use to command the large helicopter has to be seen to be believed and we are thrilled to be welcoming the popular team back to Wings & Wheels.”
The RAF Chinook Display Team is drawn from front line pilots who still have important primary roles to fulfil. Whilst the team are rehearsing the display, the Display Manager is busy putting together the team’s promotional material, organising the year’s air show visits, engaging with the media and among many other tasks readying the transport arrangements that allow a team of around 10 people to arrive at all our air shows ahead of the display aircraft. All these tasks must be done alongside the crew members’ regular jobs and secondary duties.

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.

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.

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire secures major Heritage Lottery Fund investment

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, part of Lincolnshire County Council and working in partnership with West Lindsey District Council,has received a confirmed grant of £423,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for their project ” Lincolnshire in World War One: Bastion in the Air”, it was announced today. The project, which will begin in early 2017 and run through to 2020, aims to highlight the importance and significant contribution the county made to the defence of the country and the development of aviation in World War One.

Thanks to this grant we will offer the public the opportunity of seeing a depiction of a World War One airfield, including flying replica fighter aircraft from the period, within a hangar on an operational RAF station in 2018. In addition there will be an exhibition held at the Collection in Lincoln detailing the technical and social advances that such an important hub in military arms production brought to the county.

There will be travelling exhibitions at community centres and village halls at locations throughout Lincolnshire, detailing specific themes to local areas and what their particular contributionwas and where community volunteers will be recruited and given training on supporting this project. A comprehensive educational programme is also planned to run the entire period of the project.

The story of Lincolnshire’s part in the defence of the realm against the aerial threat of the Zeppelin and the menace of the U-boat is one of national importance. Lincoln was one of the world’s largest aircraft production centres in World War One. Through the development of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service, who were based at airfields around the county, the world’s first independent Air Force – the Royal Air Force – came into being.

The social changes in the workplace, where thousands of women were employed in previously male-only engineering roles, will be a central theme to this story.

www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

Wings & Wheels Welcomes Hispano Buchon to the Airshow

Hispano Buchon

Another flying first at Wings & Wheels is The Historic Flying Ltd’s Hispano HA-1112 MIL Buchon. Assembled and painted as Messerschmitt ‘Yellow 10’ as seen in the Battle of Britain film, G-BWUE will be flying in the five hour air display on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August.

 Essentially a Rolls-Royce Merlin-engined Messerschmitt Bf109, this aircraft was one of 27 purchased at auction from the Spanish Air Force by Spitfire Productions for use in the making of the 1968 film “Battle of Britain”. Wing tips were squared off, tail struts added and dummy machine guns fitted to the wings to more visually represent the Messerschmitt BF109E of the Battle of Britain period. Upon completion of filming, the aircraft were returned to their owners or, in the case of the Buchons, put up for disposal.

By now registered as G-AWHK, The Historic Flying Ltd’s Buchon was one of eleven taken by Texan pilot and aircraft collector Wilson C “Connie” Edwards as payment for flying services during the filming. It was shipped to his ranch in Texas where it flew briefly as N9938 before being placed on static display in 1971 with the Confederate Air Force in Detroit.

Acquired by the Old Flying Machine Company, it arrived at Duxford in May 1996, re-registered as G-BWUE and sold on to The Real Aircraft Company at Breighton in Yorkshire, who initiated a full rebuild to airworthy condition. The aircraft was marked up as Hauptmann Werner Schroer’s Bf 109G-2/trop ‘Red 1’, which he flew whilst serving on the Greek island of Rhodes in early 1943.

Purchased by Spitfire Ltd. in November 2006, G-BWUE moved back to Duxford to be maintained by the Aircraft Restoration Company. The aircraft appears regularly at airshows in the UK and was also used during the filming of ‘Valkyrie’ starring Tom Cruise.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We love bringing new displays to Wings & Wheels and are thrilled The Historic Flying Ltd’s Hispano HA-1112 MIL Buchon is joining the air show line-up. The displays in the air and on the ground are packed full with exciting entertainment for our visitors and we can’t wait to see the Buchon in the air.”

 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, 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.