Kemble Air Day 2006 News Release
KEMBLE AIR DAY 2006
This years Kemble Air Day on Fathers Day, Sunday 18th June, is shaping up to be the largest ever. To celebrate ten years of civilian air shows at this historic ex-military base, the air display is set to feature more aircraft than any previous show at Kemble. Such is the popularity of the event, the organisers had to deal with a record crowd last year and this years show looks to be equally as good, if not better!
Last years successful format is being repeated with the flying display split into two sections. The first display starting at 1100hrs until 1200hrs and then recommencing at 1400hrs after a break for lunch, finishing at 1730hrs.
During the lunch break there will be a parade of vintage cars, majorettes, a demonstration of model aeroplanes and a display by the Cirencester Model Car Club.
Bouncy Castles, Trampolines, Quad Bikes and other attractions will help keep the children entertained whilst Mum and Dad can browse the many traders selling their wares and then relax to watch the airborne displays with a drink from the many refreshment and catering stalls.
The flying display itself will involve many interesting, new, rare and varied items. Representing the Second World War,and celebrating its own birthday, will be the graceful Spitfire, Seventy years old this year! Based locally at Filton, Bristol, the Spitfire will be flown by a Rolls Royce test pilot.
Representing the 1950's and 60's will be the vintage jets of Delta Jets, who themselves are now well into their tenth year of operating from Kemble Airfield. Always a favourite with their Hunters, Gnat and Jet Provost they will display both individually and in formation at various times during the day.
Foreign participation for this year will be the diminutive Fouga Magister from the Belgian Air Force. This year will see the final displays for this French built little trainer that has seen operational service for nearly 40 years with both the French and Belgian Air Forces. Lt Colonel Paul Rorive is again the pilot for this years Fouga display. He is currently the CO of 7
Sqn (Fouga) and a flight-instructor. With more than 6500 flying hours in his logbook, he performs his fifth and last year as display pilot on Fouga Magister. This will be Paul's third display at Kemble Air Day in the last four years and he said he was "delighted to visit Kemble again and to be able to display in such prestigious company at such a wonderful airfield".
The flying programme also includes the cream of the military displays with the Hawk, Tornado, Harrier jump jet, Lynx, Merlin and Chinook Helicopters, and a C130 Hercules from nearby RAF Lyneham being put through their paces.
Civilian acts such as the amazing limbo routine of Denny Dobson where he flies an Extra 300 aerobatic aircraft under ribbons held aloft on poles by "willing volunteers" has to be seen to be believed!
But of course you cannot have a Kemble Air Day without the RAF Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows. Based at RAF Kemble for nearly 20years and spanning three decades they were loved by the local community and put Kemble on the map. These days the nine red scarlet aircraft of the Red Arrows relish the chance to "come home" every year to pay homage to the place where their formative years were spent developing the formations and skills that you will see at Kemble on Sunday 18th June.
Kemble Air Day website: www.kembleairday.com