Dunsfold Wings and Wheels

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels 2019

The last ever show was held on 15th & 16th June

The Red Arrows at Wings 'n Wheels 2019

Once again Wings 'n Wheels was a first class air and car show with plenty of variety for the whole family, including an action arena, extensive vintage military 'village' with vehicles and re-enactors, vehicle zone, vehicles on the track and period entertainment.

After a long association with the August Bank Holiday Weekend, the show returned to its original June slot for 2019.

The 'wings' part of the airshow included air displays totalling around 5 hours each day, featuring a mixture of civilian and military aircraft. The RAF are excellent supporters of the show and were there in force again this year. Dunsfold is one of only 16 locations to be awarded displays by The Red Arrows in advance of their North American tour and one of only 13 venues to get the Chinook. The Tutor and Tucano were also there in their first year back on the airshow circuit after a short absence and the BBMF managed to get a Spitfire through bad weather elsewhere to display on both days. (... continued below the pictures and information box)

Highlights amongst civilian displays included the irrepressible Rich Goodwin with his phenomenal display and the pair of Strikemasters offering very close vintage jet formation flying. Enthusiasts were also thrilled to see the ARCO Lysander returning to the airshow scene this year after a long restoration programme. Unusual formations included Sally B flying with Aces High's C-47 'MayFly' and two aircraft from the new 'Ultimate Fighters', their Hurricane and their Thunderbolt, flying together on Saturday.

The 'wheels' element included a parade of vintage and military vehicles close to the crowd line and more distant runway demonstrations of historic and modern supercars and bikes, which all went ahead despite some tricky conditions in the wet.

A list of the flying and static displays is in the table.

Dunsfold Wings & Wheels 2018

The Red Arrows Break at Wings 'n Wheels

Dunsfold provides a varied mix of displays although, as is the case at many shows, the core doesn't change a great deal from year to year. At Dunsfold, though, there are generally a few specials, such as local débuts or feature displays, and 2018 was no exception.

This year one of the specials was a very emotive tribute by Peter Teichman in Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar's Hurricane, accompanied by Tom O'Bedlam reading the poem 'High Flight'. The tribute was to the late Duncan Simpson and John Farley, former BAE Systems chief test pilots at Dunsfold, who were involved in the testing of some of the most famous aircraft including the Hunter, Harrier and Hawk but who died during the year since the last Wings 'n Wheels. John Farley was also a former Manager of Dunsfold Aerodrome.

Another special was to have been the Westland Whirlwind, but this was a late and very disappointing cancellation, not least because it was probably one of the principal draws for many of the visitors. However another, the re-engined Sea Fury, did give a brilliant display alongside the MiG-15 in a mock battle, enhanced by strafing runs and pyrotechnics, as did Wings and Wheels débutante, the OV-10 Bronco, from its rapid-ascent take-off and throughout its routine, which demonstrated the versatility of the unusual-looking aircraft.

Before the air displays on both days, the Brooklands Museum VC10 announced the opening of the wings part of the show with a engine run.

Other Saturday displays are listed in the table. Notable were the display of the Norwegian Vampire pair with their traditional tight display, Richard 'no-fears' Goodwin, who was as bonkers as always, and another crowd favourite Chinook, which included Dunsfold in the relatively short list of venues that were treated to a display in 2018.

A glorious, if chilly, Saturday gave way to a wet and windy Sunday. To maximise the chance of flying, the programme was brought forward but inevitably there were many cancellations, including the Red Arrows, who couldn't escape from the bad weather at Brize Norton. On the positive side, and despite the weather, there were still flying displays, beginning with the irrepressible Brendan O'Brien who was first into the air with an unscheduled outing in Otto, complete with smoke and fireworks. Take that, British weather!

Other stalwarts in the gradually deteriorating conditions were the Fireflies, the Bronco Demo Team, the Blades and the Chinook.

Mark Petrie also made a valiant attempt to display in his Strikemaster and did manage several flypasts but was not able to fly safely in the heavy rain and high winds so aborted the display. The remaining displays also cancelled except one that was only seen by the commentators, Melvyn Hiscock and Brendan O'Brien. Thankfully they were able to describe the mystery 'stealth' aircraft, with pyrotechnics, that was so stealthy it was invisible to everyone else. Whether it was imagination or wishful thinking, it was proof that it was only the ground and not the spirits that were dampened.

The ground displays, military zone and trade stands did endure for a while longer but, as everything gradually closed down in the now-soggy aerodrome, the proceedings came to an early close at around 15.00.

Dunsfold Wings and Wheels threatened by planned development

but Wings and Wheels 2018 is safe and going ahead

Synchro 75 at Dunsfold Wings and Wheels 2015

The local Authority's Planning Committee approved by 10 votes to 8, plans to build 1,800 new homes, a school and a health centre at Dunsfold Aerodrome when they met on Wednesday 14th December 2016.

The developers have to satisfy some conditions, such as the improvement of local roads and the provision of a bus service, sports facilities and open spaces.

This was the second planning application in less than a decade, by Dunsfold Airport Ltd., the owners of Dunsfold Park. A proposal to build 2,600 homes on the same site was rejected by the same planning authority in 2008 and the rejection was supported by the government in 2009 following an appeal by the owners. The latest proposal addresses some of the issues with the earlier plan, reducing the number of houses and providing better transport and health facilities, cited as some of the reasons for refusal last time.

In December 2015 the local planning authority, Waverley Borough Council, published these revised proposals to build a 'settlement' of 1,800 houses, schools, community and health centres, recreational facilities and ancillary service buildings on the site, currently occupied by Dunsfold Business Park, home to around 100 businesses. In the meantime there has been consultation with local households and businesses and opposition from 'Protect Our Waverley'.

The proposals would not necessarily mean the end of all the existing buildings: they make provision for retail, offices, industry and research and development, partly in existing and partly in new buildings. But there is no mention of the aerodrome, or of anything specifically connected to aviation, except 'the removal of three runways'.

For over a decade the site has hosted Dunsfold Wings and Wheels. The airshow offers excellent flying mixed with classic civilian and military vehicles, a superb ground show, re-enactors, plenty of trade and amusement stands and a static aircraft display. Over that time Dunsfold has grown not only in age but also in popularity, becoming one of the show circuit favourites. Progress of the proposal would put an end to Dunsfold Wings and Wheels, currently enjoyed for two two days usually over the August Bank Holiday period.

More details have been published by BBC News.

Dunsfold Wings and Wheels 2017

Richard Goodwin races a vintage Hotchkiss at the beginning of his display

Many airshows set out to provide entertainment for the whole family. Some succeed. But few succeed as well as Dunsfold Wings and Wheels, with plenty to suit all ages and most tastes.

Motor enthusiasts had plenty to fill their day with two vehicle runs close to the crowd line, two fast runs down the runway and a large area of the arena where motors of all descriptions could be viewed and where visitors could compare notes with owners and fellow enthusiasts.

The military village had more re-enactors and genuine war-era vehicles than most shows: the youth bike team showed their skills over obstacles and the professional equivalent defied gravity in his tower of death. By contrast, there were also crafts, charity stalls and an excellent vocal trio to keep everyone entertained with vintage melodies until long after the flying had finished.

But our main interest is in the aircraft and there the show deserves many plaudits. This year Dunsfold Wings and Wheels is one of only five shows in the UK to get the Apache display, complete with a role-play, a demonstration of its features and the now-famous wall of fire finale. Another rarity on the airshow circuit this year is the Chinook, which displayed at only eleven public airshows in 2017. Again Dunsfold is one of those few and one of only 3 shows to get both the Apache and the Chinook. Add the Red Arrows and the Typhoon and it becomes clear that both the Army and the RAF are great supporters of Wings and Wheels.

The main missing link was the BBMF's Lancaster. 'Leader' had been scheduled to display alongside a brace of Spitfires but the show coincided with the interval during which most displays by BBMF aircraft had to be paused whilst their engineers dealt with a Merlin engine issue. The Flight did everything they could, though, and sent Sqn Ldr Andy Millikin to display their very busy Mk XlX Spitfire, which has a Griffon engine and so was unaffected by the Merlin malaise.

Amongst other fighters of the era were Boultbee Academy's P-51 Mustang 'Miss Helen' flown by John Dodd and Hangar 11's Hurribomber, brilliantly flown, as always, by owner Peter Teichman. These types both have strong connections with Dunsfold, the long-time home of the Hawker Aircraft Company and the wartime base for Mustangs operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force towards the end of the second world war.

Another, dynamic, warbird display came from the pairing of Mk lXb Spitfire MH434 and the Buchón painted to represent Messerschmitt Bf109 'Black 8', piloted by Brian Smith and Steve Jones respectively. The pair demonstrated an attack on the airfield, complete with pyrotechnics and streaming smoke following a successful hit by the Old Flying Machine's Spitfire on the Aircraft Restoration Company's pretend Messerschmitt.

The military and wartime displays are firm favourites but the show had some of the top of the civilian displays as well. In particular, the astonishing Rich Goodwin was as spellbinding as he always is. His display at any show is amazing but at Dunsfold he added little extra in the form of a couple of passes before and following his aerial display, not with another aircraft but with a vintage Hotchkiss racing car.

Opening the show on both days, before joining Melvyn Hiscock for their customary informative whilst humorous commentary double-act, was Brendan O'Brien in his yellow Piper Cub. Brendan, the best worst flyer, showed how not to fly, whilst showing how well he really can fly, in a crazy display before successfully landing - and taking off from - a trailer being towed along the runway. If that doesn't make sense, this YouTube video might help.

Wings and Wheels does not pretend to have as elaborate a ground-based aircraft display as many aerodrome shows. But what it does have it displays well and always offers a little extra when it can. Last year it was a ground run by the Brooklands VC10 and at one stage a repeat was anticipated for 2017. In practice, that fell off the agenda but the Brooklands giant's engines were powered up twice on each day of the show for about 15 minutes each time. Outside those times the VC10 was open for visitor tours, as was the resident Boeing 747. Other residents on display were Aces High's 'film stars' including their C-47 'Skytrain', plus a small number of visiting machines. These included a pair of Hawk T.2s and two Tucanos, one in the special Battle of Britain livery to celebrate the centenary of 72(R) Squadron.

The static and flying aircraft are listed in the table.

With a participative static display, excellent and varied entertainment around the grounds and a flying display that invariably includes the best of the military and civilian aircraft available, Dunsfold Wings and Wheels is an airshow - and more- not to be missed. Next year's date for the diary is 25th and 26th August.

Rain didn't stop play at Dunsfold Wings & Wheels 2016

B-17 Sally B and B-25 Sarinah on Saturday

A B-25 and B-17 pairs take-off and VC10 fast taxi were just two of the highlights of this Bank Holiday weekend show at Dunsfold Aerodrome.

Despite tricky weather over the weekend, virtually everything left on the programme flew; the exceptions being the Scout from the Historic Aircraft Flight, which became unserviceable, leaving their Sioux to display on its own, and Peter Teichman's Hurricane, which was also unserviceable but was replaced by Peter flying Mk1 Hurricane P2921, borrowed from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar.

Unfortunately, there had already been several other cancellations (see the table) and much of the RAF involvement this year had been curtailed because of the withdrawal or shortened season of teams. Nevertheless, Wings & Wheels still got the Red Arrows, the Typhoon and a BBMF Spitfire pair, as well as the Royal Navy's Black Cats. These UK military displays were all booked to fly both days, and most did, although the Red Arrows were unable to reach Surrey on Saturday because of a vicious storm at Brize Norton.

This was one of the few shows to feature both the B-25 and the B-17. A true bonus was seeing these two WW2 bombers in the air together. On Saturday they performed a pairs flypast. On Sunday there was no flypast, but they did take off together. Another unscheduled bonus was a flypast by a Puma from RAF Benson on Saturday: a single, brief flypast, not as flamboyant as the flypast at Eastbourne earlier in the month, but a welcome surprise nonetheless.

Saturday's weather had some brightness but it was dull much of the time. On Sunday the dull conditions dominated, with frequent rain showers. The Turbulent Team probably got the worst of it, not only because their display coincided with one of the heavier showers, but also because they fly with open cockpits. Nevertheless, they battled on and even managed a weekend record number of balloon bursts.

Towards the end of Sunday the cloud was especially thick and low, so the commentators warned that the flying might be at an end before the Typhoon and BBMF Spitfires were due to appear. The sound of the Typhoon above the clouds appeared to confirm that pilot Mark Long had come for a look and everyone assumed that, as we could hear but not see him, he would have to call off the display. In reality Mark did decide to fly the display, which turned out to be one of the best of the weekend, with oodles of 'spluff' and after-burn flare, amply rewarding those in the crowd who had decided not to leave wet and early.

Surprise stars were the Reds Duo: a pair of model Red Arrows planes flown by father and son team Steve and Matt Bishop, carrying out many of the manoeuvres familiar to fans of the full-size version. They are not new to Dunsfold but do seem to pull something out of the hat each time. Last year they saved the day when, in terrible weather, they were the only displays for some while. This year, when the real Red Arrows were unable to display on Saturday, Red 10 - the Red's manager and commentator - became the commentator instead for the mini version, much to his own surprise as well as that of the crowd. As an aero modeller himself he was clearly impressed by the performance of this world champion pair. There were other traditionally-powered and electric-powered models too, but the Reds were the top of the very impressive group.

In a year when vintage jet displays over land have been rather scarce, following the tragic events at Shoreham in 2015, it was especially good to see the Vampire pair from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron on their Dunsfold debut and Dan Arlett in Jeff Bell's Jet Provost T5.

All displays are listed in the table and most will not be verbalised here but, deserving special note, the Aircraft Restoration Company's Hispano Buchón, flown by Steve Jones, was in its temporary coat, worn for the benefit of the 'Dunkirk' film; the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historic Flight B-25H Mitchell 'Sarinah' also wore a disguise representing the RAF’s 320 Squadron, largely composed of Dutch pilots and based at Dunsfold during WW2, who enjoyed a reunion at this year's show and, unique to Dunsfold, there was a fast(ish) VC10 taxi run on Sunday for those at the show early enough to catch it.

There have been calls for more variety in the flying displays. To be fair there were débutantes at Wings and Wheels 2016, including Sally B and the Vampire pair. We also have to remember that this is a family show, so regulars such as the Turbulent Team and Wingwalkers (although absent this year) are expected in order to please the family part of the audience. Nevertheless, a few changes such as the Wildcats or Team Raven instead of The Blades; a little more foreign participation and more combination flying would be good to prevent the event becoming stodgy for the regular airshow-goer.

Even so, and as always, Dunsfold Wings and Wheels proved to be a first class air and motor show with plenty of variety for the whole family, including runway demonstrations of historic and modern supercars and bikes, an action arena with professional and amateur displays on a variety of bikes, extensive vintage military 'village' with vehicles and re-enactors, a static vehicle zone, lots of period entertainment, charity and trade stalls, rides and amusements - as well as 10 hours of flying over the 2 days.