Wings and Wheels Halted On The Sunday Due To ‘Liquid Sun’

Published on: 30 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 1 Sep, 2018

By Bob McShee

This year saw the 14th Wings and Wheels event at Dunsfold. I have been many times before, but this was the first time the event was abandoned – just after midday on Sunday (August 26) due to the volume of rain, called ‘liquid sun’ by the commentator!

However, prior to the rain there was the military vehicles parade, the motoring demonstrations and some of the flying display.

Before this I had also walked around the various zones and seen the following:

The Douglas DC3 Dakota.

In the wings zone there was a Douglas DC3 or Dakota, which had taken part in the D-Day landings and is 76 years old. This aircraft is operated by Aces High and is still being used in films, her credits include Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers.

In the motoring paddock were lots if interesting vehicles including:

The 1960 Ford Popular, coloured rust.

A 1960 Ford Popular, remember rust is a colour!

The Alvis Scimitar AFV with Rarden cannon.

The military vehicles parade was lead by a Scorpion AFV, then the motoring demonstration started with the first being John Dennis’s 1907 Berliet powered by a 1916 Curtis aircraft 8-litre engine.

John Dennis’s 1907 Berliet speeding along the runway.

The flying display started, and a notable newcomer being a North American Rockwell OV10 Bronco which was developed in the 1960s and was used in the Vietnam War.

The ‘Bronco’ OV10 in Poppy livery.

As a commemoration of the First World War, this aircraft has been adorned with a ‘Poppy’ livery.

Just after this plane completed its flight, the cloud base lowered and it became difficult for aircraft to perform displays, then it was announced that the Red Arrows had cancelled their visit.

The rain got heavier so the organisers bought the show to an end.

At least visitors on Saturday had a enjoyed a full display, which I hope to see in 2019.