The 10th Wings & Wheels Show basked in sunshine over the weekend as more than 40,000 visitors turned up on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August to enjoy the event.
The Chinook opened the air display both days with their exciting, high energy manoeuvres before the Mitchell soared through the sky in the first of the historical aircraft with close links to the Aerodrome.
Eight aircraft from the Second World War made a fitting tribute to the 70th anniversary of D-Day as the Old Flying Machine Company’s Spitfire and Mustang, Aces High Dakota DC3 and the RNAFHF B25 Mitchell flew in the first part of a unique formation. The crowd fell silent both days as the second part filled the sky led by a once in a lifetime formation made up of the Canadian Lancaster and BBMF Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane.
On Saturday a formation by the Vulcan and Gnats display team continued the Show’s tradition of arranging one off and interesting flying combinations. The Red Arrows marked their 50th display season with a faultless performance on Sunday, also marking the Aerodromes’ 40th anniversary of the first time the Hawk flew from the site.
The five hour air displays were not only packed with action from The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers, Midair Squadron Canberra and Hunter but also by explosions which rocked the arena thanks to a stunning display of pyrotechnic power by the Apache Attack Helicopter Display Team.
Brooklands Museum took to the Top Gear track with over 220 cars each day including a mix of modern and classic cars from the Porsche, TVR, Ferrari, Ford GT40 to the stunning Napier-Railton Special and Railton Terraplane Sport Tourer.
Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’ opened for tours as visitors also flocked to the newest addition to the Aerdrome, the VC10 owned by Brooklands Museum.
Another new addition to the Show was a morning slot for remote controlled aircraft, including the 1/4 scale Red Arrows Hawk models flown by father and son duo Steve and Matt Bishop.
The Stunt Zone returned with The White Helmets performing spectacular feats of balance, death defying crossover rides and outstanding acrobatics on their hand built British Millennium Triumph 750cc motorcycles supported by modified car club South Evolution.
The military vehicle and car parades showcased the assortment of wheels the event had attracted, whilst the re-enactment battles from the Screaming Eagles went off with a bang.
Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We are delighted with the success that Wings & Wheels has become, it has grown tremendously since the first event in 2005. So much so, that for the first time in the Show’s history, we had to make the difficult decision to stop on the day ticket sales on Sunday to ensure the continued enjoyment of those already at the event.
The displays and attractions were first class with the Canadian and BBMF Lancaster’s fly-past just one in a long line of highlights from the weekend. This, combined with great Bank Holiday weather, meant we experienced some traffic delays. Traffic is a challenge for any large event and we will continue to look at a variety of measures to do what we can to improve the flow on and off site for next year’s Show. Our team work tirelessly to put on Wings & Wheels with support from volunteers who donate their time before and during the Show. We owe them enormous thanks for the success the event has now become.”
Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited and in 2014 assisted the fundraising efforts of Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.
