Conceived in 2005 by Dunsfold Park Ltd, the airfield's owners, Wings and Wheels sets out to celebrate the rich history associated with British aviation and motoring. In doing so, more than £250,000 has been raised for the event's nominated charities. Among those set to benefit in 2011 are Brooklands Museum, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Help For Heroes and the Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.
Dunsfold, of course, has a long held association with aviation in its own right. Built by the Canadian Army during World War 2 for use as an emergency landing ground, the airfield then laid dormant from 1946 through to 1948, when it was resurrected for use during the Berlin Airlift. Most famously, The Hawker Aircraft Company acquired the lease of the site in 1950, from where some of the most iconic British aircraft of the 20th century were developed, tested and produced. In 2002 the site's connection with aircraft manufacturing drew to a close when BAE Systems (the company which Hawker had evolved into) sold Dunsfold Park to its current owners.
2010 was the first time the show had been staged across two days of the weekend - the Sunday and Monday - and it proved to be a resounding success, so much so that the same format will be adopted for 2011.
So what can you expect to see? Well, Dunsfold already commemorates the site's own heritage with a number of resident static aircraft including a Sea Harrier, Sea Hawk and a Hunter - all products of the Hawker stable and its successors. Additionally a rather famous Boeing 747 also calls Dunsfold home, more specifically former British Airways' G-BDXJ, which was purchased by Aces High Limited and modified to feature in the James Bond film, Casino Royale. It currently carries 'B-52 style' 'twin-pod' dummy engines, making it something of a unique spectacle.
Joining the residents on the ground will be examples of the Royal Air Force's Merlin and Chinook helicopters, as well as a whole host of lighter, civilian owned, visiting aircraft each day.
Wings and Wheels five-hour flying display does feature a slightly different line-up each day with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight performing on the Sunday only. Whatever your preference, this year's Dunsfold line-up has something for everyone.
The remainder of the flying programme will be the same each day, headlined, hopefully, by Vulcan XH558. As many of you will be aware, however, the aircraft's operators, Vulcan To The Sky Trust, have been forced to cancel a number of appearances in the last few days due to the aircraft suffering a fuel leak. Whether the issue is resolved in time remains to be seen, but at the time of writing it is still very much hoped that the Dunsfold appearance will happen.
Even if the Vulcan does fail to make it, there's still plenty of interest on the billing. Team Viper is now set to perform on both days, albeit only as a four-ship, while Jonathon "Flapjack" Whaley with Hunter F58 "Miss Demeanour" and the Breitling Wingwalkers will ensure there's plenty of colour in the skies. Golden Apple's F-86 Sabre is sure to give classic jet fans something else to cheer.
Warbird aficionados will be left well satisfied by the inclusion of the Old Flying Machine Company's Spitfire MH434 and P-51D Mustang "Ferocious Frankie", as well as the 'Hurribomber' BE505 and P-40 Kittyhawk from Peter Teichman's Hangar 11 operation.
As with previous years, Royal Air Force support of the show was planned to be very strong with Flt Lt Shaun Kimberley set to display the Grob Tutor, Flt Lt Dan Hayes the Shorts Tucano, plus the aforementioned Sunday appearance by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Flt Lt Jules Fleming had been scheduled to display the BAE Systems Hawk, however, last weekend's tragic death of "Red 4", Flt Lt Jon Egging, after The Red Arrows' - who were also due to take part in Sunday's line-up - display at Bournemouth has led to a temporary grounding order being placed on the Hawk aircraft, pending investigation, and as such neither Flt Lt Fleming nor the Red Arrows will be present at the show. A minute's silence will be held each day as a mark of respect and there will also be two books of condolence available for people to use.
The Royal Navy supplies further military participation, and the only rotary winged aircraft in the flying display, courtesy of a Lynx solo in the type's 40th anniversary year. The Royal Navy Historic Flight will also be represented by the organisation's wonderful Hawker Sea Fury T20.
Gerald Cooper returns to Wings and Wheels once more but instead of the CAP232 he displayed last year, this year he'll be wowing the crowds with an incredible aerobatic routine in his brand new Sbach 300 aircraft.
Complementing Cooper's solo display will be no less than three propeller-powered, formation aerobatic teams with The Blades, SWIP Team and Red Bull Matadors - the latter, like Cooper, flying the team's new Sbach 300s at the show for the first time - all bringing something slightly different to the table.
Brendan O'Brien's Flying Circus, featuring his famous truck-top landing demonstration, Guy Westgate's spectacular exploits in the 'gliderFX' Fox glider, the Turbulent Team and the Army's Tigers Parachute Team complete the line-up.
Of course, as the name will tell you, the 'Wings' element is only part of this event and each day will feature a two-hour motoring show too, organised by Brooklands Museum.
Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars, AC Cobras, Lotuses, Porsches, TVRs and the Mercedes Silver Arrows Team will feature among the 200 cars powering up and down the Dunsfold runway.
Additionally there'll be arena displays, static exhibitions with more than 400 vehicles, ranging from American hot rods through to Harley Davidsons and military vehicles, as well as a motoring paddock.
Dunsfold Wings and Wheels is a great day out for all the family and raises considerable amounts of money for charity.
The 7th annual Wings and Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Sunday 28th & Monday 29th August 2011, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:30.
2011-08-25 - Gail
WOW - i cant wait, i think i saw it last year that plane too i am so pleased i know what it is now! thanks!
2011-08-24 - Karl Drage
Hi Gail,
That's the Hawker Hunter known as Miss Demeanour. You're right, she's a beaut!
Karl
2011-08-24 - gail
Hi! Very much looking forward to W&W this weekend. Can you tell me what that plane is at the top center of your article, beautiful colours, yellow through to blue? Thank you.
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