Crowds flock to Wallop Wheels and Wings

Tuesday, 16 July 2024 10:00

By Andy Munns

Saturday saw the return of Wallop Wheels and Wings, the Army Flying Museum’s biggest event of the year.

Now in its fourth year, it is undoubtedly the biggest and best it has hosted.

Making up the ‘wings’ contingent – both fixed and rotary – all three of the UK’s armed services were represented: the Historic Army Aircraft Flight, the Gazelle Squadron display team, Navy Wings and the RAF’s Falcons Display Team which opened the proceedings.

A particular highlight was the mid-afternoon aerobatic manoeuvres of the Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight’s Spitfire PR.XIX and P-51D-25NA Mustang.

Back on the ground, the ‘wheels’ on show included something for all car and motorbike enthusiasts. The collection spanned both time and geography, with vintage and classic automobiles, American muscle cars, and modern supercars parked on parade or participating in the Concours D ’Elegance drive-by.

There were also more poignant stands, as the 80^th anniversaries of D-Day and Operation Market Garden were commemorated by The Glider Pilot Regiment Society and the Men of Arnhem HQ Troop living history group. Fast forwarding to the present day, an Apache stood watch over proceedings and John Greenache and Mike Peters were on stage to talk about their new book ‘OPS NORMAL volume 1: The Authorised Operational History of the Army Air Corps, 1957-2017’.

In addition to the technology on display, there was also a fantastic array of arts and crafts, activities for children, model kit vendors, local food and drink vendors, community groups, and some mouth-watering international food stalls.

A recent addition to the collection is a retired Apache AH Mk.1, making the museum the only place in the UK to see an Apache on permanent display.

For those interested in army aviation but unable to visit the museum, the website hosts a range of online exhibitions.