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KEMBLE

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This page last updated on 20th August 2008

[Description] [Attractions] [Viewing] [Other Info]

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Kemble is another civilian airfield that used to be an RAF station. With a long history of being home to maintenance units, Kemble is now home to Delta Jets and their Hunter fleet as well as several other civilian organisations. Kemble used to cover a huge area, with hangars dispersed at large distances from the runways, but it has shrunk somewhat leaving those far-out hangars outside the current perimeter. In civilian hands it's a friendly place and welcomes visitors so you can look forward to a rewarding day should you visit here.

ICAO	Telephone	Web sites
EGBP	01285 771177	Kemble Airfield
	01285 771494	Delta Jets
		Kemble Air Day
		Aerial view

Frequencies
Frequency	Description
118.900	Tower

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE

Spam cans and microlights mostly I'm afraid. However, Delta Jets usually put up at least one Hunter, Jet Provost or Gnat each weekend (often more) so a Saturday or Sunday visit should see some noisier action; they are used as a maintenance base by other vintage operators so you could well see other vintage jets. The day-to-day activity can include ex-military types such as Bulldogs and Chipmunks. You may also see the occasional BAE 146 movement, and from time to time an airliner will arrive - usually to be spares-recovered and then scrapped.

Activity is highest during weekdays and office hours, with very little happening in the evening. Weekends can actually be busier than during the week, depending on what the weather's like.

VIEWING

Assuming you're coming from Kemble village direction, you'll soon see the airfield on your right. As soon it shows up keep an eye out for the layby on the left, and pull in here (A). This is your primary viewing area at Kemble, and has an excellent view over the road to runway 09/27. While for many years there was only a small stone wall along the airfield perimeter, unfortunately the CAA forced the airfield to erect a large fence instead, for security reasons. This has made photography more difficult than it used to be. Microlights depart in a very short distance and are normally airborne by the runway intersection so you won't see much of them up this end. Spamcans are a bit high for photography when departing from 09, but easily photographable if landing on 27. As most of the jet movements here are Hunters and JPs they're still quite low when departing from 09, so you'll see them come over the hump in the middle of the runway and climb gently past you. They will be above the level of the fence at least. When airshows or open days are on at Kemble this layby is closed by the police - so don't be a tight git, pay to go in!

Hunter departing (taken from point A); author

Once you've had your fill at this spot, it's a short trip down the road to the massive green gate you'll see on your right just after the road curves to the left (B). You can usually ignore the signs about keeping this area clear as the gate is no longer used except when events are on - it used to offer access to some hangars South-East of here, on the other side of the road from the airfield. However there's no real point hanging round here for long - it just offers limited views of the airfield, with the spamcans a bit lower when departing.

Hunter taxiing (taken from point C); author

So, next spot - inside! Kemble is now a licensed airfield and welcomes visitors. Sadly the Bristol Aero Collection has moved away, so the south side is primarily an industrial estate. The entrance to the south side of the airfield is on the right just after the large hangars now used for storage. Once in the gate drive round the Southern taxiway keeping the fencing on your right. The old BAC hangar is at point C and offers fairly good views onto the runway albeit with a big fence in the way - so stepladder needed, or use the grass verge to your left for an elevated view. Given the position of the sun for most of the day, this is really your only option for sunlit photography of normal operations within the airfield.

Getting to the other side of the airfield is now no longer possible except by driving out of the airfield and all the way round to the north side - so back out the main entrance, turn left and go back into Kemble village. Take the second left in the village (not the turn for the the railway station) and keep on going to the A433 and turn left again. After a while the road begins to curve right and there's a small turning on the left. The turn for the airfield is a small one and easily missed with just a small sign so keep your eyes peeled. Take this small road down to the airfield's northern gate (D).

Stored Hunter (taken from point E); author

Bulldog taking off (taken from point G); author

Drive up to the gate and it should open automatically. Follow signs to Delta if you wish to see their externally stored aircraft on the old northern peri track (E) - or if you have arranged to visit the Delta hangar! A drive a little further down to the access gate (F) will give you your closest view of the aircraft on the north-western pan. Drive back to the intersection and take a right and follow signs for AV8 and the control tower and you'll come to the tower and restaurant complex with ample parking (G). The area in front of AV8 offers good views of flying, albeit into sun for most of the day. Please ask in the tower if you wish to wander around the hangars (usually okay) and aircraft parking area.

OTHER INFORMATION

The two main roads on the map are busy ones and it's not possible to stop at the side of them; if you did, I'm sure you'd be in a pile-up before the Police came along to move you on. You have no excuse for this anyway with the ample parking space available at point A.

Cafe and toilets available at the AV8 Bistro & Restaurant by the control tower; Kemble village is a bit bare in the way of such things so Cirencester is the nearest comfort stop otherwise.

Kemble holds an annual airshow and various open days - keep an eye on the Kemble Air Services web site for dates. The airshow is well worth a visit, with a strong classic jet flavour and as the crowd is south of the runway on a sunny day it is absolutely perfect for photography.

Contributors: author, Glen Moreman.

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