Posts Tagged ‘Wings’

Saturday to kick start Wings & Wheels 2013

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

It’s fast, it’s furious and it’s back! Wings & Wheels is delighted to announce its return to Dunsfold Park in Surrey for a spectacular weekend of aerobatic and motoring thrills which will entertain thousands over the August bank holiday weekend. Sticking to the two day format the Show’s confirmed dates for 2013 are Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August.

No sooner had the last jet departed from Wings & Wheels 2012 than the team were already hard at work planning for the 2013 Show. Taking pride in the event’s development as a result of visitor feedback, next year’s airshow will once again strive to make positive changes which ensure that visitors continue to experience the very best entertainment since the show’s inception eight years ago.

Securing its calendar slot on the August bank holiday weekend, the more noticeable change to the 2013 show will be its move from Sunday and Monday to the *NEW* format of Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August.

Jamie McAllister, Wings & Wheels Event Director, comments; “Wings & Wheels has evolved enormously over the last eight years and key to this has been our willingness to listen to our visitors and in turn adapt and improve the event’s format. Our decision to move the show to Saturday and Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend has been based on visitor feedback and we are confident this will enable more families to attend the event.”

Watch this space for the official line-up announcement in March. Updated show information will be available via the Wings & Wheels website www.wingsandwheels.net.

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Explosive success for Dunsfold Wings & Wheels

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

The most exciting, explosive Wings & Wheels to date enthralled and delighted over 30,000 visitors on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th August. A fantastic combination of new and old aircraft thrilled crowds as the Red Arrows, Vulcan and Battle of Britain Memorial flight took part in the five hour airshows along with unique formation displays from the Meteor T7 and Hawker Hunter, Spitfire and Mustang, Fokker and Apache.

Hearts were pumping and crowds jumping as the Tornado GR4 roared across the sky through fireballs and explosions in a simulated attack before the soothing aerobatics of the Breitling Wingwalkers took centre stage.

Straight from his jump as the Queen at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, stuntman Gary Connery leapt from his helicopter in his wing suit, leaving crowds gasping as he waited until he was metres from the ground before deploying his parachute.

The Wheels Zone was awash with vintage vehicles in static displays and over 100 participants joined in the motoring demonstration run by Brooklands Museum including legendry Formula One and Grand Prix Motorcycle road racer John Surtees in his Formula One car. The Stunt Zone showcased four and two wheeled daredevil performances from Paul Swift and *NEW* act, Learn 2 Wheelie.

The 70th anniversary of the Aerodrome was celebrated in a popular central arena display which charted the historic sites beginnings to the current thriving business and events hub it has now become.

The 32 acre public arena was also bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions from the 1940s Zone, Hot Rod Zone and *NEW* interactive display from the famous Boeing 747 and DC3. Visitors enjoyed laser quest, kids driving, paintballing, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, a Wall of Death, fairground, emergency services demonstration and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts.

Jamie McAllister, Events Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “Each year the team work tirelessly to improve and introduce new elements to Wings & Wheels and we are thrilled with the success of this year’s Show. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. There was so much to see and do in the air and on the ground, from old classics to new and exciting demonstrations with something for everyone. I would like to thank all of the staff, volunteers and individuals who worked tirelessly to put on the Show and all those who have supported Wings & Wheels through sponsorship, donations and by purchasing tickets.”

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited to help raise funds for nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Help for Heroes and Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.

http://www.wingsandwheels.net

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On Her Majestys Secret Service

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

Following his two celebrated showcase events this year, Olympics opening ceremony aerial stuntman GARY CONNERY will make an exclusive appearance at Dunsfold Wings & Wheels on Monday 27th August.

Gary will combine his wing-suit world record achievement with a deployment by canopy in front of a thrilled audience. Arriving in a James Bond-esque pursuit in an AC Cobra, Gary will make good his escape by helicopter, before exiting to make his trademark wing-suit flight, deploying the canopy just in time to make a target landing in front of the audience. He’ll then return to the wheel of the Cobra before joining the crowd for meet and greets and photographs.

Garry Connery comments: “I have always had a passion for flying and cars. To be involved in a show that brings the two together is wonderful and I can’t wait to share my wingsuit flight with so many people in one day at Wings & Wheels. The visual experience will be awesome.”

Over 1 billion people worldwide watched Gary’s last performance as he stood in for the skydiving ‘Queen’s’ dramatic arrival at the Olympics Opening Ceremony with James Bond on Friday 27th July 2012. It was the most talked-about sequence of Danny Boyle’s stunning three hour ceremony.

Gary made his first parachute jump as an Army recruit at the age of 23 and has since become a professional stuntman. The 42-year-old daredevil is a veteran of the skies with over 880 sky dives, 450 base jumps and dozens of film and television roles, as well as having leapt from famous buildings including the top of London’s Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Nelson’s Column and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are thrilled to announce that Gary is joining our Wings line-up on Monday 27th August with his unique wing-suit display. He’s renowned for his world record attempts and more recently his stand in role as the Queen at the Olympics Opening Ceremony and is a welcome addition to what is shaping up to be our most exciting Wings & Wheels Show to date.”

http://www.wingsandwheels.net/

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World Records and Flying Machines Launch Wings & Wheels 2012

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

The Wings & Wheels launch got off to a flying start yesterday (Tuesday 14th August) as two Hawks swooped in to help the team with their Guinness World Record attempt.

Having looked long and hard at the thousands of recent records, discarded the longest distance to squirt milk from your eye and the most forward rolls in one minute, the team at Wings & Wheels created the longest ever line of toy cars.

The world record attempt, which saw 3,737 cars lined up over 258.2 metres, was completed on the Top Gear track with a little help from Hawk pilots Flt Lt Phil Bird and Flt Lt Bruce Poole, volunteers from Help for Heroes, Brooklands Museum, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, as well as 14 Sussex Wing Air Cadets and 17 families and fans of Wings & Wheels.

Two independent officials, Richard Newsam of Curchod & Co and Lt. Col. Bill Carling were also on hand to oversee proceedings and make sure everything was in order. The Wings & Wheels team now have a tense seven day wait to hear if they have succeeded and beaten the current world record of 3,001 cars and a length of 239.1 metres.

Nancy Edwards, Wings & Wheels Event Manager comments; “Each year at the show we major on the diverse range of displays and attractions we have available for the whole family to enjoy. The launch was a little taste of this and we were thrilled with the reaction we got from the public and press on our world record attempt, it really captured everyone’s imagination. We’ll be displaying the cars from the record at Wings & Wheels on Sunday 26th & Monday 27th August 2012 where we also hope to announce our record result.”

As well as flypasts from the Hawks, journalists and guests were taken back in time by Brooklands Museum to compete in an adrenaline pumping pit-stop challenge on a 1928 Bentley 4 ½ litre Le Mans car. Teams of two raced against-the-clock to get into their 30s race suits, remove and replace wheels, check oil levels and clean windscreens with aviation journalists Mike Rivett and James George eventually being crowned overall winners.

The launch was just a taster of what a sensational summer event for the whole family Wings & Wheels is. Bursting with the unmissable sound of roaring jet engines, the twisting and turning trills of death defying stunts, the iconic beauty of vintage and classic machines and the joyful buzz of delighted spectators, the Show will blow your mind!

The 8th annual Wings and Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Sunday 26th & Monday 27th August 2012, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:00.

Tickets start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £65 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book tickets call 08712 305572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited with proceeds going to nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Help for Heroes and Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.

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Great War Sky Knights Display at Wings & Wheels

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

The unique image of the Sopwith Triplane, which caused the Germans to turn tail and avoid combat in the First World War, along with its fierce German counterpart, the Fokker Triplane, are the latest additions to the Wings & Wheels line-up.

Visitors to the historic aerodrome near Guildford will witness the outstanding climb rate, high speed and fair manoeuvrability of the aircrafts, made primarily of wood and fabric, as the pilots demonstrate the light and effective controls. During two summer months of 1917 a single naval squadron claimed 87 German aircraft destroyed for the loss of just one Sopwith Triplane. The Fokker Triplane was designed to match the Sopwith but was limited in production and spent only a year in battle.

Gerry Forristal, Wings & Wheels Aviation Director comments; “It seems fitting that in celebrating 70 years of iconic aviation at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Wings & Wheels also acknowledges the magnificent machines from the First World War. Breathtaking and now uncommon sights in the sky we are delighted to have the Old Flying Machines Sopwith and Fokker Triplanes joining us on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th August.”

Other aircraft set to perform in the main aircraft display at Dunsfold Wings & Wheels include RAF Red Arrows, Tornado GR4, Apache Attack Helicopter, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Tucano Display, RAF Hawk, RAF Tutor as well as a host of civilian aircraft all accompanied by entertaining and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and enthusiasts.

Tickets start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £125 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book tickets call 08712 305572.

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Spitfire Confirms Sponsorship Deal with Wings & Wheels

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels is thrilled to confirm that aviation’s favourite tipple, Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale, has signed up to support the charity airshow for its 8th consecutive year. The Kent brew will take a leading role in the 2012 show held at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th August.

Originally brewed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, its characteristically Kentish, hoppy flavour and risqué advertising campaigns has made it a firm favourite with both beer and Wings & Wheels lovers.

Shepherd Neame Brand Manager, Kate Mclean, comments: “Spitfire Ale is delighted to be supporting Wings & Wheels again. The popularity of this fantastic family show keeps on growing and it’s great to be involved in an event that helps so many deserving causes.”

Wings & Wheels Event Director, Jamie McAllister, comments: “We are delighted that Spitfire has chosen to continue its support. The brand has become synonymous with Wings & Wheels over the years and their support is invaluable in helping us create an even bigger and more successful event than before.”

Wings & Wheels is a sensational summer event for the whole family! The unmissable heart pumping roar of powerful jet engines, the twisting and turning trills (thrills?) of death-defying stunts, the iconic beauty of vintage and classic machines and the joyful buzz of delighted spectators will blow your mind and leave you and your loved ones breathless!.

Binoculars will be at the ready as the ‘Wings’ of the event ensures visitors are treated to phenomenal and diverse five hour air displays including show favourites the Red Arrows, Avro Vulcan and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Headlining the explosive *NEW* additions to the show is the Tornado GR4 display in which the two RAF aircraft will perform an astonishing and intense simulated attack on the airfield in an aggressive and exciting display of power and force. Adding to the *NEW* displays will be breath-taking routines from the RAF King Air, Apache Attack Helicopter and the B-25 Dutch Mitchell Bomber, which will be performing its only UK air display in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the airfield.

With sparkling hub caps, perfect paintwork and the deep murmur and reverberation of finely-tuned engines, you don’t need to be a petrol head to delight in the ‘Wheels’ of the show. A mouth-watering selection of vehicles will take to the Top Gear track in a two hour auto spectacular which showcases a range of supercars and classic and vintage icons in an awe inspiring display of power and speed. Delivering an element of nostalgia to the ‘Wheel’s, the regal Military Vehicles will complete a cavalcade for spectators before statically displaying in the Military Zone. The Stunt Zone not only welcomes back Paul Swift and his world record j-turns, fast action parallel parking and two wheel driving, but will be hosting a gravity-defying display of balance, back flips, somersaults and other hair raising stunts with *NEW* freestyle motorbike stunt performances – proving that two wheels are just as dramatic as four!

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 1940s Zone will swing to the beat of jive dancing master-classes and historic re-enactment while the Hot Rod Zone will host live rockabilly music, themed retail outlets and a stunning display of nostalgic and ‘kustom’ Hot Rod vehicles. *NEW* interactive displays include the famous Boeing 747 film set which will open its doors to visitors for the first time and Dunsfold’s 70th anniversary display which will reveal the illustrious aviation and motoring history of the site. The show arena also boasts laser quest, kids driving, paintballing, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, a Wall of Death, fairground, emergency services demonstration and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts.

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 and on-site parking, public camping, a lost children point, disabled access, mobility provision, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, a raffle, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

The 8th annual Wings and Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Sunday 26th & Monday 27th August 2012, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:00.

Tickets start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (two adults and three children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged 5 -15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £65 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book tickets call 08712 305572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited with proceeds going to nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Help for Heroes and Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.

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Wings & Wheels Secures Attack Helicopter Display

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

Visitors to this year’s Wings & Wheels can be forgiven for thinking they are being hunted as the Show welcomes the Army’s skilful tank destroyer, the Apache helicopter. The fierce defender of the skies will be on display for the first time at Dunsfold Aerodrome as the Attack Helicopter Display Team joins the incredible Wings line-up.

An impressive piece of machinery the 2001 Apache attack helicopter is designed to hunt and destroy tanks and has significantly improved the Army’s operational capability. Able to operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds, it could assess the whole Wings & Wheels audience in just 2 minutes!

High hovers, twists, pedal turns, wingovers and flypasts are just some of the team’s signature moves as they give visitors a glimpse of its array of weapons including the aptly named Hellfire missiles, rockets and a 30mm chain gun. In addition to the distinctive Longbow Radar located above the rotor blades, this Apache is equipped with a Day TV system, Thermal Imaging sight and Direct View Optics. Defensively it possesses a state of the art fully integrated Defensive Aid Suite.

Gerry Forristal, Wings & Wheels Aviation Director comments; “Helicopters are an incredible spectacle at airshows so we are delighted to confirm we are one of only five shows the Attack Helicopter display team will be displaying at with not one, but two Apache’s. This year’s five hour airshow is on course to be our best yet as Wings & Wheels returns for two days on Sunday 26th & Monday 27th August.”

Other aircraft set to perform in the main aircraft display at Dunsfold Wings & Wheels include RAF Red Arrows, Tornado GR4, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Tucano Display, RAF Hawk, RAF Tutor as well as a host of civilian aircraft all accompanied by entertaining and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and enthusiasts.

Tickets start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £125 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book tickets call 08712 305572.

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Donuts launch jam packed Wings & Wheels You Tube Channel

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

The Wings & Wheels team were in a spin yesterday as the aerodrome reverberated to the sound of squealing tyres and laughter and the spray of sugar, jam and smoke as the girls took up a donut eating challenge to celebrate ‘National Donut Week’. It wasn’t pretty and mind over matter certainly came into play as donuts were scoffed in a minute of dizzying spins in the donuting stunt car of Paul Swift.

Not wanting Wings & Wheels fans to miss out on all the edible and vehicle donut action the team made sure to capture the fun on camera! The video clip launches the *NEW* Wings & Wheels You Tube Channel today, ‘wingsandwheelsuk’, which is set to be packed with the latest videos and updates in the lead up to the show which takes place on 26th & 27th August 2012. Follow this link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urMgqwXcRig 

Nancy Edwards, Wings & Wheels Event Manager, comments; “We know from our social networking sites that our fans love a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the preparations for the show. The You Tube channel is designed to share some of the hard work and fun that goes into creating such a fantastic and popular two day event as well as to give visitors a glimpse of the action we have in store over the August Bank Holiday weekend.”

Wings & Wheels 2011 saw the exhilarating introduction of the Stunt Zone which included action such as hand-brake turns, two wheeled driving and donuts! In order to bring visitors even more death defying stunts an exciting line up of new performances have already been confirmed to take place! Ahead of the 2012 show, last year’s headline act, Paul Swift, returned to the venue at Dunsfold Aerodrome to showcase his phenomenal driving skills and to lend a hand in the team’s ‘National Donut Week’ challenge.

More Wings & Wheels pre-event preparations are set to appear via You Tube in the coming months and visitors should take a look at www.wingsandwheels.net for all the latest news and offers. Tickets to the show start from £18 for adults, £40 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £5 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free

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Wings & Wheels to host only UK Display for Wartime Hero

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

The raw power of the B-25 Dutch Mitchell Bomber will be on display at Wings & Wheels 2012 as the throaty roar of the 1700 horsepower engines are once again heard reverberating around Dunsfold Aerodrome, some 70 years after it was based at the historic airfield.

Billed as ‘Heroes of the Night’ following their participation in D-Day, the Dutch Mitchell Bombers and the squadrons who flew them contributed significantly to Dunsfold Aerodrome’s defining Second World War achievements. Now in its 70th year the Airfield will be marking its anniversary at Wings & Wheels 2012 and is delighted to announce that, with the generous support of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historic Flight, the Mitchell Bomber will be returning to the Surrey base to complete its ONLY UK air display at Wings & Wheels over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

It was August of 1943 when the menacing silhouette of the first of the North American B-25 Mitchell’s was spotted in the skies above Dunsfold. The aircraft was easily recognisable due to its twin tail rudders, two engines and unusual tricycle undercarriage which, although very much the norm today, was a daring innovation of its time. The aircraft was used in the defence of the country and in connection with the Allied invasion and liberation of occupied Europe and continued to be based at the Surrey Airfield until 1946.

Gerry Forristal, Wings & Wheels Aviation Director, comments, “Wings & Wheels will be the public’s only opportunity to see this phenomenal aircraft on the UK airshow display circuit this year. We are thrilled to confirm the B-25 Mitchell Bomber is returning to the Aerodrome as it not only holds a fond place in the hearts of us all here on the airfield, but also for our visiting veterans, some of which worked on and flew the aircraft during the Second World War.”

Wartime images and fascinating stories about the B-25 Dutch Mitchell Bombers and the squadrons who flew them can be discovered in the 70th Anniversary celebratory timeline which can be found in the centre of the show arena at Wings & Wheels 2012.

http://www.wingsandwheels.net

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