Elmsett Airfield - Wings 'N Wheels

IT was a wings 'n wheels event with a difference at Elmsett Airfield, near Ipswich at the end of July. Rather than a classic themed event, the organisers teamed up with the local modified car group, Cruise Central.

Nigel Willson, an aerobatic display pilot based at Elmsett, told LOOP, "We had lots of visitors, almost 1000 people came through the gates, which was more than at previous events.
"There were lots of people from both sides of the fence, with everyone crossing the boundaries between aviation and modified vehicles."

The forecast for the day wasn't looking good but luckily the bad weather didn't materialise. "We had a thunderstorm at 0815 but it cleared in time for the fly-in," he said.

With over 100 movements it was handy that the ATC team from nearby RAF Wattisham came across to man the radio. The visitors were kept entertained, with spot landings and flour-bombing, as well as Nigel's infamous Ted Devils display. Flying his Yak 52, Nigel drops parachute-clad teddy bears onto a target. The bears are sponsored by various local organisations, including schools and playgroups. "They provide the bear and we tell them they've got to make their own parachute," he explained.

"It always goes down a storm and this time we only had one canopy failure!"
There was also a breakfast patrol, with Nigel trying to catch inbound aircraft. Four aircraft made it through, from Norwich-based Anglia Flight, and were awarded breakfast for their cunning manoeuvres.

There was also plenty of display flying, with Ian Davies flying his Chipmunk in formation with Nigel's Yak, and Al Coutts performing an aeros routine in his Pitts.
W: www.yakdisplay.com 

Words: Kirsten Corrigan