The Army Flying Museum, in Middle Wallop, are in the last throws of their preparation for their popular annual fundraising event, Wallop Wheels and Wings, which will take place on both the Museum site and the historic adjacent airfield on Saturday 11 July.

Visitors are in for a real treat again this year as, weather permitting, a number of air displays are planned throughout the event.   The amazing Royal Navy Raiders parachute team will be wowing the crowds and making their first visit to Wallop Wheels and Wings. The Team has operated since 1983 and comprises volunteers from across the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who enjoy promoting the Service to domestic audiences at public events, air shows, military and sporting events.   The team conduct a visually stunning display with pyrotechnics, underslung flags before accurately landing within the arena in front of the excited crowd    It is set to be a very exciting addition to the display programme at this popular annual event at Middle Wallop. 

In addition, the Museum are thrilled to welcome back the Rolls Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire and the Navy Wings Chipmunk and Bird Dog who will be entertaining the crowds with a tail chase.

Also included in the programme are very special displays by the Gazelle Squadron, Pitts Special and Yak, with a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire.  The event will also commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Chipmunk and 90^th anniversary of the Spitfire, with static displays of aircraft for visitors to view.

The event is a great day out for the whole family, not just for car, motorbike and aircraft enthusiasts and will see a full programme of entertainment running throughout the day including craft activities, pit stop challenge, laser tag, mini racers and circus skills, for all ages to get involved in.  This year, sponsors GKN Aerospace, Boeing and Andover College will also provide some great activities to keep young minds whirring in the Discovery Den.  Younger visitors will also have lots of fun with the classic pedal planes and little tanks.

The shopping village will showcase local artisan traders including Homemade Brownie Company, Bluestone Vineyards, Hornet Chilli, Saxnot Meadery, and many more and is a great chance to support local independent traders and pick up some unique gifts.  Visitors can also enjoy a range of talks from military authors and historians in the Speaker’s Tent.

The event has again attracted its highest number of exhibitors, with over 400 classic/super cars and motorcycles, with a very special display by sponsors Andover Norton International. The event will also showcase the Light Aircraft Association, Living History Groups, the Historic Aircraft Flight and much more.

For those with an interest in photography, there are only limited tickets remaining for the photography enclosure which gives exclusive access to aircraft arrivals and prime positioning to capture some amazing shots on the day.

Chief Executive of the Museum Lucy Johnson said: “Wallop Wheels and Wings is the Army Flying Museum’s main fundraising event and a chance to showcase some of the best vintage aircraft, cars and motorbikes on the beautiful site of Middle Wallop airfield.  We are also thrilled to have been able to programme a number of air displays into the event again this year. The Museum is an independent charity and relies on fundraising activities to support the work we do in preserving the history of British Army aviation.  In February, the Museum suffered an unexpected three-week closure due to a power outage, so the event this year is more important than ever in raising vital funds for the Museum! But, it’s also a brilliant day out for the whole family and we hope you can join us!”

All tickets purchased in advance of the event come with a free annual pass for the Museum valid from 12 July and with all school holiday activities included in the annual pass, this gives great value for money for local families to enjoy and support this great local Museum.  Ticket prices increase from Thursday 9^th July, so be sure to book nice and early to get great discounts on tickets.