20 September 2013
Old Buckenham Airfield has announced further details about its fly-in on 29 September to celebrate the life of the late Wing Commander Ken Wallis MBE, held at the request of his family.
Following the initial announcement of the event, the airfield has received hundreds of requests to attend from aviators and the public alike. The event is open to everyone, and that there is no charge for entry to the public. The airfield has made arrangements for additional parking to cope with extra numbers anticipatedq and we will no longer need members of the public coming by modern car to book in.
The event has broken all previous records for pre-booked arrival slots by air. There will be a tremendous mix of aircraft from all eras. Perhaps most appropriately there will be a large number of autogyros. Wing Commander Wallis was arguably the greatest exponent of the autogyro and it is entirely fitting that an extraordinary number and mix of machines will make up a very special and unique display. The airfield is very grateful to the planning department of Breckland Council which has agreed to waive ordinary restrictions on the airfield to allow it to accept autogyros for the day. Aircraft owners are asked to book in online by filling out the form at www.oldbuck.com/en/fly-in/. Due to the volume of air traffic expected, aircraft must be booked in in advance.
The airfield will close to normal air traffic at midday. There will then be a number of tributes paid to Wing Commander Wallis in the airfield’s Blister Hangar. A full list of speakers will be released during the week commencing 23 September. Following the tributes, the organisers are able to confirm that there will be some extraordinary, unique and world famous aircraft on display, subject to weather.
There is of course one aircraft that Wing Commander Wallis built that can only be described as extraordinary, unique and world famous; Little Nellie, the undisputed star of You only Live Twice and unquestionably James Bond’s finest aircraft. The organisers are delighted to be able to confirm that Little Nellie will be on display in the Blister Hangar throughout the day.
In addition to the exhibits, various charities of which Wing Commander Wallis was patron will have displays around the airfield. Visitors will be invited to fill out tribute cards that will form a permanent record and exhibit, to be displayed in the future.
Matt Wilkins, the airfield manager and organiser said, “Since the 29th was announced we have received a constant stream of emails and messages from all over the globe. All of them have included wonderful stories and reminiscences of Wing Commander Wallis and all attest to the simple fact that he was a gentleman, national treasure and hero. The result is that we fervently hope that the 29th will be truly memorable and unique, in accord with the legend we are honouring. Looking at the machines and people likely to be here we anticipate that our main aim will be achieved; to create the sort of event that Wing Commander Wallis would have loved.” <a href=”http://www.oldbuck.com”>Click here for more</a>
