New owner sought for vertical wind tunnel (body-flying machine)

Sheffield based Professional Advisers are looking for a new owner for an interesting piece of kit. A mobile sky diving simulator (a vertical wind tunnel).

Business turnaround and insolvency specialist Wilson Field has taken on the challenge, together with valuers and asset management consultants Charterfields, to find a new home for the bodyflying machine.

We are seeking to identify suitable parties to buy the simulator.
The machine is the only mobile hybrid vertical wind tunnel in the UK, a custom build by Category 5 Productions last year. This is trailer-mounted or in a container and is currently housed at a racetrack in Essex.

This machine costs £200,000 new and contains a Caterpillar CAT18 850hp diesel engine. It measures at six metres tall with a three-metre-wide flight deck. There is the option to use this with its plexiglass tunnel, inflatable or open.

The simulator, suitable for use recreationally, commercially or for stunts, is an asset of Wembley-based Dedalus Skydiving Limited. They went into liquidation after the cancellation of a contract for the Winter Wonderland attraction in Hyde Park in London. This was due to a lack of funding for marketing and brand development.

Charterfields are looking for expressions of interest from interested parties worldwide.

These could include skydiving organisations, film companies, events organisers and outdoor activities’ clubs.

Robert Dymond, insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field, said;

“We are seeking to identify suitable parties to buy the simulator.

“This is an unusual case to work on. It’s not every day that we’re involved in seeking a buyer for a bespoke six-metre-high sky diving simulator. It’s a specialist, niche market, but we are confident of a positive outcome in the end.

“It is a unique asset, but an interesting prospect for the right buyer. Potential contracts, such as the Winter Wonderland contract that was unfortunately lost due to initial delays in the delivery of the simulator, show that exceptional event revenues could generate around £30,000 per month, albeit on an irregular basis.

“It could be added to an existing portfolio of outdoor and recreational equipment or could form the basis for a business enterprise in its own right.”

The simulator also comes with an existing website windspin.co.uk

For further details, technical specifications and to arrange a viewing contact Charterfields. Quote the reference 7769 when contacting them on 0330 202 0116 or email enquiries@charterfields.com.