What a lovely weekend! There really is no other way of summing up this third and final airshow of the season at the Cotswold Airport (Kemble). It's been said so many times before but Glen Moreman and his team are steadily building a well-deserved reputation for organising some of the best events in the UK airshow calendar.
The culmination of this year's Kemble events was a weekend featuring a small but varied flying display programme, a multitude of visiting aircraft and some appropriately gorgeous weather. Some of those who organised shows earlier this 'summer' may well have been looking on enviously but I for one can't begrudge Glen any luck he gets with the weather - he deserves it!
September of course is when we traditionally commemorate the Battle of Britain and, with Kemble's own Battle of Britain heritage, a show marking this event is entirely appropriate, as is the venue's ongoing support for two more than worthy charities in the 'Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund' and 'Fly 2 Help'.
Taking centre-stage, naturally, was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and an event of this scale forces you to take a step back and appreciate the positive impact the team makes and the emotions they stir in everyone that sees them. This can sometimes be lost at larger events and it served as a welcome reminder to never take them for granted. The flight-line walks at Kemble also allowed visitors to the show a chance to see the Lancaster from close range and many grasped this relatively rare and hugely welcome opportunity with both hands.
The BBMF flew on both days of a show which saw some slight changes to the display programme across the weekend, with Glen attracting not just the Vulcan to Saturday's show but also a fly-through from a VC-10 based at RAF Brize Norton to bring the first day of the show to a close.
The unavailability of the planned RAF Hawk solo was a disappointment, for the addition of one item of current RAF display hardware would have elevated the event's display programme even higher and, at a relatively small event such as this, the Hawk has the ability to take on star-status.
The Swift Glider Team performed on both days of the show and it's always fascinating to see those in an airshow crowd who are watching Guy Westgate and his team for the first time; many of whom have a 'did that really happen' expression etched across their faces. There are few true innovators on the UK circuit but Guy and his colleagues certainly qualify and it's great to hear news that the team is planning some new additions to their display next season. The Swift Team clearly has no intention of resting on its laurels while the CAA must be wondering whether they can keep up with re-writing the rule books!
Neil McCarthy flew his Jet Provost T.3 on both days of the show and was joined on Sunday by John Rowley in the Heritage Aviation T.5 based at East Midlands. Credit to John as the weather and technical problems delayed his arrival by almost a day and a half and, after landing with the aircraft's owner Jeff Bell alongside him, he and Neil took off for a quick practice and then flew their routine just thirty minutes later. It's always good to see 'new' display acts trying to make their way on the UK airshow circuit and John and Neil will undoubtedly resolve to use the winter months to train together as much as possible if UK airshow goers are to see these two lovely jet trainers in the air together more frequently next year.
Another vintage jet trainer was on hand in the shape of the Vampire Preservation Group's T.11 from North Weald. In the capable hands of Mark Hooton the aircraft displayed on Saturday but unfortunately (for Kemble) had to leave for Cambridge on Sunday morning as it was already committed to displaying at the Marshalls event. The Vampire is immaculate and, in Mark and Matt Hampton, the group has two pilots completely dedicated to showing the public this important piece of UK aviation history.
Other highlights in the two hour flying programme were the AN-2 from Popham, a great looking aircraft, run and supported by a great bunch of people, and the stunning Rolls Royce owned Spitfire which was displayed, as ever, more than ably in the hands of Phil O'Dell on Saturday and Sir John Allison on Sunday.
Kemble resident Delta Jets also got in on the act with Andy Cubin displaying the Hunter T.7 on Sunday while the new Delta hangar was open to the public for tours of their aircraft and restoration projects. A number of other cold war jets live at the airfield and it was good to see the Buccaneer and Canberra out sunning themselves and open for the public to get a closer look. It goes without saying that the volunteers who look after these aircraft are dependent on public support to return them to power or immaculate static condition so the shows at Kemble give them a great opportunity to not only explain what they are aiming to do but also raise vital funds to keep the work going.
With numerous traders also supporting the show alongside a host visiting aircraft, rotary and fixed wing experience flights and a rather nice barbecue at Kemble cafe AV8, visitors were certainly not short of things to keep them occupied at the show; something that was reflected by the healthy attendance. It is by no means on the scale of the main 'Kemble Air Days' event but that makes for a relaxed atmosphere, comfortable viewing and, a huge plus, none of the traffic issues which seem to blight so many events.
After the show GAR caught up with Glen Moreman to see how he felt the event had gone.
"It was a great weekend, but the credit goes to all the volunteers that put it together. It really is a tribute to all their hard work when an event goes off as perfectly as it did over the last few days; the weather was just the icing on the cake.
"The crowd was fantastic and this show has now grown to become the 'second' Kemble Airshow, although with its own special atmosphere due to it being held around the control tower."
Plans are already afoot for all of the Kemble shows next season and GAR will hopefully catch up with Glen over the winter months to see how they are progressing. Roll on 2010!
GAR wants to interact with its readers so if you have a question for the author or a comment to make on this feature, please click on the button below. The best comments will appear right here on GAR.2009-10-12 - Jeff Bell
Great Job guys, I'd like to thank Glen and his team for all their efforts and a special thanks to Delta Jets for sending their engineers to East Midlands too at such short notice to rectify XW324's unserviceability issue.
2009-09-30 - Neil McCarthy
Well once again a fantastic article and read!
Keep up the good work guys.
2009-09-29 - Pete Buckingham
As one of those volunteers at Kemble - I would just like to say that it leaves you with a really good feeling when the public keep coming up to you as they leave - full of praise and thanking all of us for a good show. Kemble may have changed it's official name, but the atmosphere remains something to be proud to be part of. It never ceases to amaze me that every year it's got better and better, with a big thanks to Glen and the others that do all the proper organising before we turn up to assist... Long may it continue - the hard work really is worth it.
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