Cotswold Airport (RAF Kemble)

[rowey200]

Stumbled across Cotswold Airport on the way back from staying with family nr Stow on the Wold (some great driving roads around the area BTW).

It was quite random to turn a corner and be faced with a couple of 747s plus loads of other sizable planes. It was also quite random that every couple of minutes (I pulled over to take in the view much to the GFs annoyance ) a Range Rover sport was gunning it full bore down the runway sounding very sweet.

Following a chat with a security chap (who was very chilled out and happy to let me know what was going on) it turns out that Land Rover were holding the launch of the new Range Rover Sport on site and on closer inspection the site was littered with them! One of the 747s had been converted to allow cars to drive on and off (you can see one coming down the nose of the 747 in the second pic) and another was so say where all the clients / guests were being entertained.........sure someone will be able to provide some more info on this event so feel free to add to this thread

Anyrate, some pics. Enjoy!

[Eric Mc]

First visited RAF Kemble in 1976 when it was the home of RAF No.5 MU (Maintenance Unit). At that time, the airfield was littered with the hulks of Armstrong Whitworth Argosies being scrapped as well as the one and only RB211 powered VC-10, G-AXLR.

Parked around the perimeter were some of the recently retired Shorts Belfasts - most of which went to Heavylift Cargo.

[FourWheelDrift]

Some Kemble photos from the 70s on here - http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?3644...



Are Delta Jets still based there?

[Hooli]

It's always a surprise to drive past this place isn't it?




I'll have the silver Defender on the right please, those look some serious (35s?) tyres on it.

rowey200 said:

[Eric Mc]

Interesting Kemble shots there. There were Andovers there too - which I had forgotten about.

[E31Shrew]

Saw an article in the paper a couple of weeks ago. Fair bit on Youtube.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB0nmTDOVxE

[Geneve]

Fascinating place, Kemble.

I used to do track days there in my Caterham, and F1 teams sometimes test there. A few 'nimbys' complain about noise, but I think it makes a valuable and diverse contribution to the local economy.

Sometimes drop in there for fuel; AV8 is one of the better airfield cafes.

[blueg33]

SW PH'ers have a breakfast meeting at AV8 at Kemble on the last sunday of every month. I was there this morning for it. Got a pic of the Alp in front of a plane




Plus soemetimes F1 teams test at Kemble and Neil Garner is based there

[MajorProblem]

Working in Kemble for the next three weeks will keep an eye on the airfield.

[rowey200]

Found this on Youtube, 747 coming in to land @ Kemble.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNCaMcc8k4o

[TinyCappo]

its pretty awesome seeing 30+ year old planes come here to either die or be repurposed. Not seen a ragerover drive through one before though

[Sixpackpert]

FourWheelDrift said:

Are Delta Jets still based there?

I believe they have ceased operations.

This year Vintage Flyers moved from Kemble into a unit opposite us in Nailsworth. It seems the Kemble management are getting greedy and the rates are becoming increasingly high for units on site.

[Eric Mc]

Strange to see that the 747-400 is now becoming an "old" airliner.

[SVX]

What's the craic with gaining access for a mooch about?

I was also surprised (after some random satnav re-routing due to traffic), when I rounded a bend and sat that rather sorry looking 747's tail directly ahead of me.

[dr_gn]

I think it's where Air Salvage International are based (or at least have a facility).

[bertieg]

as said its ASI (air salvage international) based there

the owner, Mark, is a big petrolhead/classic car fan, and has been known to let car clubs do photo shoots amongst the salvage aircraft. its his salvage aircraft they are driving through


they have been driving land rovers/range rovers through that jumbo almost every day for weeks now (possibly a month)