The Cotswold Airport (Kemble) Open Weekend and Fly-In took place on Saturday and Sunday, featuring access to vintage, historic, and military aircraft, live music, classic vehicle displays, and a Traction Engine in live steam, writes Rich Kelsey.
Aircraft Tours were also available, giving the public rare opportunity to step inside iconic airliners including the resident Boeing 747 ‘Negus’ and the VIP-configured Boeing 727 M-STAR.
The weather was good, and the temperature was hot later in the day, causing lots of heat haze for photography, but never mind (after Fairford Air Tattoo being cancelled this year), it was great to indulge and enjoy a slice of local aviation.
On Sunday, it was good to climb aboard the Britania and other Aircraft including the 747 ‘Negus’ where we saw a baby boa constrictor and a massive Albino Burmese Python with their respective handlers – you don’t often get the chance to see these snakes every day, especially on a large Boeing airliner.
A brief lunchtime flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire was great to see. On the aircraft static line up, we had a good look at quite a few aircraft including G. BUCO a hand-built Pietenpol Air Camper, a couple of very nice-looking Luscombe Silvaine Delux’s, a Soviet era YAK3U and Yak52, just to name a few.
We had a great chance to photograph Duxford-based P51D Mustang named Marinell, owned and flown by Isable Rutland who gave a prebooked passenger a 30-minute flight.
The Air Ambulance based at Filton – Heli Med 65 – also flew in later in the day. The Buccaneer Aviation Group (TBAG) was also busy seeing our friends and keen TBAG Members Charlie and Thomas assist the public with cockpit and aircraft tours, at the end of the day we seen them and other TBAG volunteers retract the Wings of one of the Buccaneers for storage.
A great and cracking sunny afternoon was had by all enthusiasts and families alike.
Pictures by Rich Kelsey
