There was a measure of sadness when the 2019 Wings and Wheels show closed on Sunday 16th June with a moving Hurricane duo display. Since Dunsfold in Surrey held the first Wings and Wheels in 2005 it had developed into a much loved family airshow but 2019 was to be its last. We at Topshotfoto.com have attended a number over recent years but like many aviation events the quality of participants has changed over the last couple of years. Our quest for top quality photographs meant we watched both days flying.
History
In 1942 an emergency airfield was constructed on the Dunsfold site and the Royal Canadian Air Force arrived in October 1942. A wide range of types flew from the new base including Mitchells and Typhoons. In 1947 Skyways leased Dunsfold and refurbished Spitfires and Hurricanes for the Portuguese Air Force until in 1950 the Hawker Aircraft Company opened its flight test centre here. Over the years Sea Hawks, Hunters, Gnats, Sea Furies, Hawks and perhaps most significantly Harriers flew here. Indeed the Harrier development aircraft the P1127 made its maiden flight from Dunsfold.
P47 Thunderbolt
The, at times, inclement weather produced some memorable backgrounds. Here “Nellie B” a P-47D Thunderbolt glints in the sunshine as it makes a pass resplendent in 48th FG, 492 FS markings. This aircraft was manufactured in 1945. Why not purchase our mounted print?
New to the airshow circuit and to our range of quality prints is the Westland Lysander V9312 which had been delivered to the RAF in January 1941. Known for its remarkably short take-off and landing runs Lysanders were famously used to ferry agents to France, usually at night. Our photograph against an interesting sky is available on the site as a beautiful photographic print.
B-17 Flying Fortress “Sally B” display with a C-47 Skytrain
Wings and Wheels had built a reputation for unusual formations illustrated by this years B-17 Flying Fortress “Sally B” display with a C-47 Skytrain; a poignant reminder that this year sees the 75th anniversary of D-Day (why not read our Blog on “Daks over Duxford”?)
Our panoramic range of mounted/framed images has been joined by this view of B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B flying with a smoking engine in tribute to those lost in USAAF daylight raids in the Second World War.
A welcome display by the RAF Chinook proving how manoeuvrable even large helicopters are.
We have this print in both A4 and A3 sizes mounted and if requested framed. You will almost be able to hear the characteristic “blade slap” of this remarkable machine.
The closing and final display was a pair of Hurricanes (A Mk1 P2902 on the left and Mk1 P3717 on the right). When the last of the duo landed Wings and Wheels had become part of airshow history.
