| Over the past few years, the Kemble Air Day has become a ‘must do’ amongst fans of classic jets in particular, with this wonderful airfield in Gloucestershire being home to the Delta Jets fleet.
This year the Air Day celebrated 90 years of the Royal Air Force and 70 years of Kemble and there was plenty to satisfy both diehard enthusiasts and general public alike. On the ground, the aircraft were split into several sections with a line-up of based Hunters – including the two painted up to represent the original prototype, WB188, in ‘duck-egg green’ and the same aircraft as it was sometime later when Neville Duke flew it to break the speed record in bright red – and the wonderful ‘Fox One’. Also in this line was a Buccaneer which is being lovingly looked after by a volunteer team, together with one of the BAe146s that are prepared in the former Red Arrows hangars. Visitors here included a couple of Jet Provosts, an early Piston Provost and several Bulldogs and Pups. Fly-In visitors included the AN-2 (the world’s largest single-engine biplane) which is based at Popham. In the RAF section over by Kemble Korner (which included aircraft from Ultimate High – Bulldog – and fly2help’s Chipmunk, more of which later) we were treated to one of the early C130K Hercules in the green Special Forces colours, two of the former 39 Sqn Canberra PR.9s which are now based at Kemble and a Squirrel from the Defence Helicopter Flying School at Shawbury. Towering over these was that iconic aircraft the VC-10 from Brize Norton. A real rarity to these shores was one of the Bell 412s that serve in Cyprus in the Search & Rescue role. Many though were delighted to see the sight of both of Martin-Baker’s Gloster Meteor T.7½ aircraft (the ½ comes from the fact that they are T.7s with and F.8 tail section). These aircraft have given sterling service over many years at Chalgrove and are used for live firing of ejector seats from the rear cockpit. Even though they are quite close to the end of their fatigue life, no-one is yet sure what aircraft could replace them By far the largest aircraft on static display was the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III from 99 Sqn at Brize Norton. These days it is very uncommon to see one of these giants at an airshow as their tasking is so overstretched. There was a constant stream of visitors taking a wander into the cargo hold and queuing for a visit to the flightdeck. A unique feature of Air Days at Kemble is the way in which some of the aircraft taking part in the flying display are parked almost within the crowd thanks to the use of one of the former runways. This really makes visitors feel part of the action as the jets are started and taxied from this position before and after their displays. The pilots revel in the applause that they receive as they shut down the engines. So what was flying? The brief morning section commenced with Phil O’Dell, Chief Test Pilot for Roll-Royce, putting their Spitfire PR.XIX through its paces and this was followed by the first three items from the RAF – Chinook, Tucano and Hawk. To complete the morning displays, Peter Teichman in his P-51 Mustang ‘Jumpin Jacques’ gave one of his beautifully flowing routines with the trademark howl which is caused, not by wind in the gun ports, but from the belly mounted radiator. After the lunchbreak which saw a couple of radio controlled jet models take to the air, the flying resumed with the Royal Navy ‘Black Cats’ in their Lynx helicopters. They were followed by Ultimate High with a polished display comprising two Bulldogs and two Extra 300s. Andy Cubin then took up the Delta Jets Gnat and brought back memories of the early 60s when the ‘Yellowjacks’ – the forerunners of The Red Arrows – flew this little ‘flying rollerskate’!. Very appropriate for Kemble, the next item was the De Havilland Hornet Moth. During the years when Kemble was home to the Air Ferry pilots, this type was used to bring the pilots back following their delivering their aircraft all over the country. At one time, a Hornet Moth was chased home by a couple of raiders and this incident was re-created when the airfield was attacked by a couple of Messerschmitt Bf108s. Once the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight had shown off their Spitfire IIa and Hurricane IIc ‘Night Reaper’, the new-style Army Air Corps ‘Blue Eagles’ gave us some rotor delight with a rare full display from the menacing Apache. Many were commenting upon how the gun mounted below the aircraft appeared to have a life of its own! To show the history of the Corps, the Alouette, Scout, Gazelle and Lynx gave a very balletic routine. Two fairly similar types then show the development of twin-engined aircraft through the years. Firstly there was Andrew Dixon in his Pembroke C.1. These were used in the light transport role, but also for communications purposes. This particular aircraft was also used for VIP transport and spent time with RAF Germany. The Pembroke was followed by one of the RAF’s latest assets. This is the first year that the King Air multi-engined training aircraft has been seen in the air at shows and really shows off its manoeuvrability and culminates in a very steep downwind landing. While one of the headline items of the afternoon was warming up, Brize Norton sent over one of the graceful Tristars for a couple of nice fly-bys, but what came next really illustrates what the RAF is all about. This was the much anticipated and improved Role Demo and comprised 2 Tornado F.3s, 2 Tornado GR.4s, 2 Hawks, E-3 Sentry, Chinook and Apache. The Demo commenced with an excellent formation comprising the Sentry and Tornados, which then broke off for the display proper. With the Sentry commanding from above, ground forces were deployed by Chinook with the Apache providing armed support and the F.3s undertaking Combat Air Patrols. Tornado GR.4s then ground attack amidst some of the best pyrotechnics I have witnessed, whilst the ground forces call in close air support. Whilst the ground forces are then extracted by Chinook, Tornado F.3s suppress enemy air activity (Hawks) and the GR.4s neutralise the airfield. The whole of the Role Demo lasts approximately half an hour and is an excellent and entertaining way for the RAF to demonstrate how ‘missions’ are undertaken, with the whole thing being backed up by excellent commentary from Sqn Ldr Andy Pawsey. As the majority of the aircraft departed for their home bases, the two F.3s held off out of sight whilst two of Delta Jets Hunter T.7s lifted off. This was a prelude for something for which Kemble Air Day has become famous. In past years we have been treated to a formation of 16 Hunters to celebrate the Hunter’s 50th anniversary. Then two years ago, the Red Arrows in their Hawks formatted with one of the Gnats that they used to fly. This year it was to celebrate 50 years since the famous 22 Hunter loop by 111 Sqn ‘The Black Arrows’ at Farnborough. With one of the Tornados from the current 111 Sqn (and in special markings with a black tail) and one of the Hunters in ‘Black Arrows’ colours, a special formation of the two F.3s and two Hunters gave one pass in diamond formation followed by an excellent ‘run and break’. With the Tornados landing on, the Hunters then gave their own display in the late afternoon sun. They were followed by a stream of classic jets – the wonderful F86A from Golden Apple at Duxford, Jet Provost from Delta Jets and a formation routine by the Sea Hawk from the Royal Navy Historic Flight and De Havilland Venom FB.50 from the Air Atlantique Classic Flight. Finishing off the flying display, Flt Lt Charlie Matthews left no one in any doubt as to the potency of the RAF’s Typhoon. This year’s display must be the best yet and provides an excellent illustration of the power and agility of this amazing aircraft. To complete the afternoon, and to finish off the RAF’s participation at the event, the Falcons Parachute Display Team dropped in from the Chinook. Prior to the event, I had been advised to what out for a ‘spirited departure’ from something rather large straight after the show. This was to be the mighty C-17A. Following a very short takeoff run, she lifted off into a very steep climbout at which point everyone on the crowdline had to rapidly turn their backs. The outer port engine had been over the grass at the edge of the runway and this turned the C-17A into what must be the world’s largest lawnmower as a dense cloud of grass was blown straight towards us! In closing, a few words must be given to the charity fly2help. This organisation, which is based in the Kemble Control Tower, works hard to ‘lift the horizons’ of those who need a boost in life. Via the medium of flight, they support those with life-limiting and chronic illnesses, families who have suffered tragedy and many others. At the Air Day, they had their own very professional stand at ‘Kemble Korner’ where you could purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to fly in their Chipmunk which was parked alongside. Many volunteers were also there to give out information about the charity, what it does and who we all can help. Thanks to The Britannia Preservation Society, who have the last surviving genuine RAF Britannia permanently on display at Kemble funds and awareness of the charity were raised by visitors being allowed to visit the interior of the aircraft. Also, thanks must go to the Army who had a mobile climbing wall and for a suitable donation to fly2help, kids could have a go. In the VIP area, a separate stand had been set up and many useful conversations were had with a view to looking towards future sponsorships. Fly2help is desperate to raise sponsorship to enable it to progress in this valuable work. If you are able to assist, or know of someone who might benefit, then please click on the banner which is on every page of this site. So ended, yet another excellent Kemble Air Day. My thanks go to Glen Moreman and Dave Harris at Kemble. |
01 Static02 Sea Hawk |
01 Static03 Sabre |
01 Static04 Line |
01 Static05 Line |
01 Static07 Sabre & Sea Hawk |
01 Static08 Sabre & Sea Hawk |
01 Static09 Vampire T.55_.jpg |
01 Static10 Canberras |
01 Static11 Martion Baker Meteors |
01 Static12 Martin Baker Meteors |
01 Static13 Martin Baker Meteors |
01 Static14 Martin Baker Meteors |
01 Static15 Martin Baker Meteors |
01 Static16 Martin Baker Meteors |
01 Static17 VC-10 |
01 Static19 Bell 412 RAF Cyprus |
01 Static20 Sud Alouette Swiss AF |
01 Static21 VC-10 |
01 Static22 Boeing C-17 RAF |
01 Static24 Boeing C-17 RAF |
01 Static25 Boeing C-17 RAF |
01 Static26 Boeing C-17 RAF |
01 Static27 Canberras |
01 Static28 Canberras |
01 Static29 Canberras |
01 Static30 Hercules C-130K |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
03 Spitfire PR.XIX PS853/G-RRGN Rolls-Royce Filton |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
04 RAF Chinook Display 18/27 sqn Odiham |
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