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Some
typically patchy British weather did little to deter visitors to
this year's Kemble Air Day, which celebrated the 40th anniversary
of the Red Arrows display team.
Check
out our photo galleries of the day:-
(20 Pictures)
(20 Pictures)
(12
Pictures)
Perhaps
unsurprisingly, give their close links with Kemble, it was the Red
Arrows who attracted some of the fondest praise.
"Absolutely
awesome," said one spectator, commenting on the Arrows' display,
"I was moved to tears."
Special
"2004
is a very special year for us," said Red Arrows Squadron leader
'Spike' Jepson, "we wil be both looking back on the achievements
of the past, and forward to the future."
His
team produced a superlative aerobatic display. They were apparently
unperturbed by reports published in the national press on the morning
of the event, suggesting that the security of the team's funding
may be question.
Squadron
Leader Jepson called the reports "sensationalised".
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| A
colourful Hawker Hunter |
Spectrum
The
day presented a host of treats for aviation fans. It featured a
whole spectrum of static aircraft, dozens of stands and exhibits
plus flyings displays from planes including the RAF falcons, the
Harrier, Sea Vixen and the Red Bull Air Race.
 2004 is a very special year for us.
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| 'Spike'
Jepson |
The
air race featured five world-class pilots competing against the
clock to navigate a set of inflatable obstacles.
Competitors
included Hungary's Peter Besenyei, who previously made headline
news when he flew upside down under the chain bridge in Budapest.
Highlight
Other
highlights on the day included a distinctive Hawker Hunter F58 with
an intersteller paint scheme, the RAF Falcons who jumped from a
Hercules and the death-defying Utterly Butterly wing-walkers who
performed a typically barnstorming display on their distinctive
yellow bi-planes.
The
208 Squadron, known as 'The Flying Shuftis', performed an impressive
display in their Hawks.
Their
name is derived from the Arabic verb 'shouf' meaning 'to look',
reflecting the Squadron's role of aerial reconnaisance.
As
well as aircraft there was a collection of vintage and classic cars,
including British motoring classics from Morris and Rolls Royce
which accompanied by their owners who were enthusiastically quizzed
throughout the day.
High
spirits
The
brief straw poll of punters revealed that the sporadic rain had
done little to dampen spirits. "It's excellent," said
one, "well organised, well planned...it was well worth the
drive."
Air
Day organiser Glen Moreman said, "I thought it went very very
well."
The RAF Chinook stole the show for
me.
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| Glen
Moreman |
Asked
for his personal highlight he said, "The RAF Chinook stole
the show for me. It's rare enough to see one of those flying, letalone
in a display."
With
around 20,000 attendees, the weather certainly did little to deter
the crowds.
As
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Gloucestershire's Martin Evans later commented, "It seems
that somehow British people enjoy events even more when it's raining!"
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Despite
the typically British weather, the Kemble Air Day 2004 was a resounding
success. 
