Ten years ago, the maths isn’t too difficult even for me, the Kemble Air Day as it was then, celebrated the Hunter’s 50th in fine style – a 15-ship formation the highlight of the show. Now, a decade later, the Cotswold Airshow is a two day event and comprises not just the classic jets for which the event has become best known, but also modern military participation, warbirds and some of the UK airshow scene’s most entertaining performers.
“I suppose this was always the aim,” admits Glen as he considers the growth of the show, “but whether I actually believed it would happen is another matter. The 2001 event was my first attempt at a major show and, while everyone remembers the 15 Hunters, most people seem to forget that we actually only had 12 display items that day! It was all about the Hunters I suppose and the rest of it is glossed over to some extent.”
So, with the Hunter’s 60th at the heart of this year’s event which takes place on the 18th and 19th June, how is that portion of the weekend shaping up?
“Well, ten years on and here we are doing another Hunter show. I did wonder how many of them would still be around, how many would be serviceable and flying and how many would be available – thankfully the answer was quite a few.”
While the 2011 event will not be able to replicate a 15-ship formation, the plan is to try for a diamond nine on both days, with the possibility of one or two extra aircraft on the Sunday, depending on availability. As Glen explains, putting on such a spectacle certainly doesn’t get any easier.
“Finances are the hardest thing. When we did it ten years ago jet fuel was something like 20p per litre, now it’s 80p plus! Most organisers didn’t worry about fuel too much before, but now you really have to as it is such a huge expense. It should still be fantastic though, especially as the Hunter has played such a big part of life at Kemble and has really been part of the furniture at the airfield.”
Indeed, every single Hunter that saw Royal Air Force or Royal Navy service passed through RAF Kemble at some stage in its life, with the first F.1s being delivered to the airfield in 1953 before being dispatched to 43 Squadron. The aircraft has, one or way another, been at the site ever since.
“We’ve even had Iranian ones, Indian ones, Swiss ones – you name it, they all came through No.5 MU (Maintenance Unit) which was dedicated to the Hunter,” says Glen. “There was even a period when the Buccaneer was grounded and the RAF came and dragged out a number of examples in storage at Kemble and got those flying again to keep the pilots current as they included Buccaneer cockpit instrumentation for training.”
At present the aircraft expected to appear at the show in one form or another consist of Team Viper with its five examples, Jonathon Whaley’s unique Miss Demeanour, two additional examples from Hunter Flying Ltd at Exeter, Cotswold Airport resident, the Black Arrows T.7A WV318 and two aircraft from the Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundation. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if they materialise as planned, although a number of other Hunters will definitely also be on static display, including the Cotswold Airport’s owner, Ronan Harvey’s, very own Blue Diamonds schemed T.7.
Hunters won’t be the only classic jets on show either with Air Atlantique Classic Flight's Meteor NF.11 down to fly, with two, or possibly even three, other Meteors joining it on the ground. AACF’s ‘new’ T.7 may well have made its first post-restoration flight from the Airport by then and it is hoped that ejector seat manufacturer Martin Baker will be able to send both of its two T.7 (Modified) examples to complete the static line up. A rare treat all told and one for which Glen deserves a huge pat on the back for even trying to conjure up.
Neil McCarthy's (relatively) freshly painted Jet Provost T.3 will be appearing in the flying display, as will one of the Classic Flight’s Venoms. The Gnat Display Team, with its pair of diminutive trainers, almost completes the classic jet line up but for the small matter of an appearance from Avro Vulcan B.2 XH558, albeit on Saturday only.
Visitors on Sunday won’t be in any way short changed, however, with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, due to display on Sunday morning and this year’s Tornado GR.4 role demo appearing in the afternoon, complete with pyrotechnics. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Dakota and Spitfire), along with the Tucano and Hawk solos will complete the RAF contribution, while the Royal Navy Black Cats will be bringing its two Lynx helicopters in what is the aircraft’s 40th anniversary year. A mixture of modern military static participation is also expected including three members of the RAF’s rotary fleet, Merlin, Squirrel and Griffin, and, hopefully, a C-130 Hercules from Lyneham.
Other notable performers include Brendan O’Brien whose flying circus will again include the truck top landing and, for a complete change of pace, the marvellous RedHawks Duo with its motorised gliders. The RNHF’s Sea Fury is another excellent addition to the line up and one that Glen is personally very much looking forward to welcoming while it should be noted that Wings Venture’s DC-3 will be making her last UK appearance as she has been sold to the USA.
Glen is delighted to report that tickets sales are going exceedingly well and a good example of this concerns a new addition for the show – a grandstand.
“It simply wasn’t financially viable when the show was just a single day event but we decided to revisit it this year and, having initially looked at around 200 seats per day, have had to revisit this and get something bigger, with around 500 seats available on each day of the show. That’s been a fantastic success and is an important addition for us.”
Add to all of the above some spectacular radio controlled models (including a Hunter and the brilliant Baby Wingwalkers), a parachute drop from local team the Renegades, an evening display of hot air balloons and a whole raft of ground attractions (including the RAF Presentation Team) and you are looking at an unbeatable day out for the whole family whether you consider yourself to be a dedicated enthusiast or a casual airshow goer.
For more information on the show, including advance ticket sales, please visit the official Cotswold Airshow website - we look forward to seeing you there!
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