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Dunkirk2Dover

Summary

June 2019




This VintageAirRally combines twenty vintage biplanes and twenty vintage cars (all cars and planes from 1946 or earlier) in a 4-day rally and competition from Les Moeres in France to Kent in the UK. The teams (each team made up of four people in one biplane and one car) will also be in 1920s dress throughout the Rally. This is the first of an annual event.

Coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of the finish of the First World War it is a celebration of the end of this period of history.

We intend to showcase the fantastic cars and stunningly beautiful aircraft that emerged during and following the Great War. 



Les Moeres (Dunkerque) France

51°02'26"»N 002°33'01"»E

Untitled1Les Moeres aerodrome, first used in 1916 by the Belgian Air Force, is situated near the coast, near Dunkerque. 


9th May, PREPARATION period

tentThe biplanes and cars arrive at Les Moeres. There will be a very comfortable tented camp installed. The camp includes a Mess tent and period bar. French Police will be there to temporarily convert the airfield into an international airport. The first night we have a themed, seated dinner – followed by a talk by Bernard Deneckere on the role of aviation in the first world war. Bernard is a leading expert on the subject and author of many books.
 

10th May, STOL Competition

The vintage planes will compete in a STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) competition – a world first. The cars will compete in a quarter-mile timed run along the runway. The teams’ combined results give them a place on the leaderboard.
 

11th May, The Channel Crossing

vintage cars mommaerts rally 2 vintage cars mommaerts rally 18The cars will make their way across the channel to Dover and Walmer Aerodrome on a ferry, using a VIP entry and area on the ship. There will then be a private champagne reception, during which time the vintage biplanes will do a flyby.


Walmer Aerodrome

51°11’49.85"»N 001°23’48.46"»E

Untitled2Untitled2 copyWalmer aerodrome, 1917-1919, first came into use in the First World War as the home to squadrons of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps.



We will be the first planes to land at Walmer Aerodrome in the 99 years. The last plane to leave Walmer in 1919 was a DH9, the first plane back in will be the world’s last flying DH9! UK Border Force, dressed in 1918 uniforms, will be in attendance to formally allow entry of our international flights.

Walmer Castle
 


Walmer Castle

Walmer Castle 2This artillery fort built by Henry VIII is now an English Heritage site and official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (a position previously held by Winston Churchill and HRH the Queen Mother). The Lord Warden is taking part in the Rally. After lunch the cars will drive initially through Dover castle (welcomed by a field gun salute), whilst the biplanes do another flyby overhead. They then continue through the spectacular Kent countryside and arrive at Chilston Park Hotel.
 


Chilston Park Hotel

51°13’4.77"»N 0°42’59.27"»E

A glorious Grade 1 Listed Country House, no aeroplane has ever landed at the hotel. We will land on a tree lined avenue directly in front of the hotel where the cars will already have arrived. There will be a champagne reception on the front lawn followed by a Black Tie 1920s Dinner.

Chilston Park Hotel Chilston Exterior
 
Chilston Park wedding with Sharon and James Sneak Peek 1 vintage cars mommaerts rally 14

Our event finishes after a delicious breakfast on the Saturday morning, but anyone still with energy can take advantage of the FREE entry we have agreed with The Elite London 2018!

 

Contact us for more information : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Partners

ChilstonPark

 

The Elite

 

Contact

For more information please feel free to send us an email or just give us a call.

Phone: +32 2 880 21 54
Fax: +32 2 880 03 50
Email: info@vintageairrally.com

For Press Enquiries, please contact Jeremy Martin
Email: jeremy@vintageairrally.com


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All images, copyright © Beatrice De Smet