The Kemble Air Day 2007 took the 100th Anniversary of Sir Frank Whittle's birth as it's main theme. This saw perhaps the largest gathering of classic jets in the UK this year. However, Kemble Air day is about so much more than classic jets. Not only does the show include some of the best aerobatic and warbird displays but it was also one of the RAF's "Priority 1" displays for 2007. Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All photography copyright of author.

The weather leading up to the Kemble Air Day was not encouraging. Much of the UK was lashed by periods of heavy rain leading to severe flash flooding and disruption. But as the day approached for the show it appeared that Kemble may just get away with it as the Sunday would be the only window in the wet weather weather. Luckily this was the case and despite some periods with really rather dark skies it remained dry throughout the day with rain only appearing as most people were making their way home.

Kemble's layout is very different to some other shows and allows the crowds of get up really quite close to the display aircraft that are parked on the cross runway and perimeter taxyways. This was one of the major factors that attracted the RAF to the venue as one it's "Priority 1" events. The participation at the Kemble Air Day was quite different to that seen at Biggin Hill. Instead of showing the full range of solo displays the RAF Events Team tailored their participation to suit the Frank Whittle 100th Anniversary theme of the show. This meant there was a strong showing from some of the RAF's engineering disciplines. In the air display, the participation was also very different to that at other "Priority 1" events with not all of the RAF's solo displays taking part. The first RAF display to take to the skies was the Grob Tutor T1 flown by Flt Lt Andy Preece who put on a superb display of aerobatics in a machine with only half the power of some of the more specialist aircraft.

Appearing as part of the Frank Whittle tribute was the Eurofighter Typhoon T1A flown by Flt Lt Jim Walls from No 29(R) Squadron who managed to squeeze a full and noisy display under the cloudbase. Before his solo, Jim flew the Typhoon in formation with Air Atlantique's Meteor NF11  Rounding off the days flying was the well travelled crew of the Chinook HC2 display team. During the afternoon the team transited from Volkel in the Netherlands where they had been performing at the Royal Netherlands Air Force's annual "Open Dagen"

The RAF also had it's role demonstration team at the event though it was minus the Chinook due to it's transit. Unlike Biggin Hill, the airspace at Kemble is not as restricted. This and a few valuable lessons learnt at the first few outings for the demo meant Kemble saw a significantly improved demonstration with much more actions happening in front of the crowd. The Mobile Air Movement Squadron were also on hand to run a couple of Land Rovers out of the back of the Hercules C5. Special mention should go to the Tornado F3 crews involved for bringing three speically marked aircraft down from RAF Leuchars for the show. Their sequence with the  Hawk T1 aircraft from 100 sqn is particular noteworthy as are airfield attacks by 13sqn Tornado GR4s with the excellent pyrotechnics. This demo is getting better every time and is a superb tribute to the air and ground crews who make it possible.

Highlight of the RAF involvement with any airshow are the Red Arrows who found time during a busy weekend to display over their former home. They also included a formation flypast with Delta Jet's Hunter T7 and Gnat T1 to represent three of Britain's most sucessful military jets.

Towards the end of the days flying, a couple of elements from the Falklands 25 flypast extended their routes to include the Kemble Air Day. First to arrive was a single VC-10 from 101 squadron at RAF Brize Norton debuting it's special paint scheme for the squadron's 90th anniversary. Later and closing the flying display were two Hercules, a C-130K Hercules C1 and a C-130J Hercules C5 from the Lyneham Transport Wing. On the ground there was yet another Hercules plus a Tucano T1, Harrier GR7 and a Griffin HT1.

Both other branches of the UK military forces were also involved with their rotary assets. The Army Air Corps sent their Blue Eagles helicopter display team while the Royal Navy did likewise with the Black Cats display team. The British Army were also represented by the Silver Stars Parachute Display Team from neaby South Cerney.

The Air Day boasted a fine selection of interesting aerobatic displays. Based at Kemble is Ultimate High, a advanced flight training school and air experience centre. In their fleet they have a number of Extra 300 two seaters. John Taylor put on a superb display of solo aerobatics in the cloud-scape. Also flying an Extra, though as a glider tug were the Swift Aerobatic Display Team of Jon Gowdy and Guy Westgate in the S-1 Swift. The Matadors duo of Paul Bonhomme and Steve Jones in Sukhoi Su-26s made a welcome return to the UK display circuit having been away competing at the Red Bull Air Races. Thier close formation flying and solo aerobatics never cease to amaze.

As well as the classic jets, there were a few piston engined warbirds too. No airshow is complete without an appearance by a Spitfire. In Kemble's case it was the Spitfire PR XIX from Rolls Royce in the hands of Bill Perrins. Also dated from the second world war was Peter Teichman's P-40M Kittyhawk which is proving a popular act this year having been seen a number of events. Heavier heavy iron came from the Royal Navy with a duo display by the Royal Navy Historic Flight's Sea Fury FB11 and Kennet Aviation's mighty Douglas Skyraider which had a busy weekend displaying at Kemble and up in Cumbria at Whitehaven.

However, this show was all about Classic Jets and their development. A nice touch to the static park was the inclusion of a Gloster E28/39 replica which was joined by Martin Baker's Meteor T7 1/2. In the air Air Atlatique display two of the earliest jets with the Meteor NF11 and Venom FB50. Sadly they were not able to be joined the Vampire Preservation Group's Vampire T11 which has just re-flown after overhaul and was present at Air Day though unable to take part in the flying. New for 2007 is North Wales Military Aviation Service's trio of Strikemasters which gave a nice account of themselves. The home team of Delta Jets showed off some of the more jets at the show. Sadly, Air Atlantique's Canberra was unserviceable but on the ground Delta were able to taxy one of the Canberra PR9 currently being restored for flight and use under a MoD contract! They also flew their Hunter T7s as solo and duo displays as well as their Gnat T1 during the afternoon.

Kemble once again put on one of the most entertaining and interesting displays of the year despite some unfriendly weather around the event. With so many shows finding it difficult to support large numbers of classic jets it's a welcome change to have a show with such a large presence. Also, the tailored RAF participation was most welcome with the two formations being the highlights of the day. Kemble Air Day returns on 15th June 2008.

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