Cotswold Airport / Kemble Airfield Heritage Groups

Cotswold Airport, formerly known as RAF Kemble / Kemble Airfield, is a private general aviation airport near the village of Kemble, just southwest of Cirencester. It was origionally built as a Royal Air Force station, and the Red Arrows aerobatic team were based there until 1983. The airport, since 2000, is used for storage and recycling of retired airliners plus flying schools, clubs, and industry.  

It is also home to several heritage groups dedicated to preserving and showcasing aviation history.

The Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society is an independent group dedicated solely to preservation and maintenance of the Bristol Type 175 Britannia Series 253 (RAF C.Mk1) XM496, named 'Regulus' during it's RAF service. After 15 years military service, XM496 was withdrawn from operational RAF use in October 1975 and stored at RAF Kemble. XM496 was purchased by Monarch Aircraft Engineering Ltd on 6th January 1976, and delivered to their base at Luton for commercial conversion to 253F standard and registered G-BDUP on 31st March 1976, initially in the livery of Afrek Ltd. With Subsequent registrations in Cuba (CU-T120), Zaire (9Q-CJH) and Liberia (EL-WXA), XM496 returned to Cotswold Airport on 14th October 1997, the last ever flight of any Bristol Britannia. Although no longer airworthy, the aircraft is complete and has been repainted in RAF Transport Command livery resuming her original identity of XM496 ‘Regulus'. The cabin has been restored to a half-passenger, half-cargo layout often used during her 15 years with the RAF. 

TBAG is a group of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of the Blackburn/Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer to honour the service of the air and ground crews, the people who built them, and the memories associated with the type. Since 2004 TBAG preserves two ex-Royal Air Force Buccaneers, XX894 & XW544. Both aircraft, after huge restoration efforts, are now back in fully operational condition.

( XX894 & XW544 remained airside during this event, with no access to public) 

The British Phantom Aviation Group (BPAG) is dedicated to the UK specific variants of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and its service with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. It's membership comprises both ex-service personnel and aviation enthusiasts alike. In partnership with the 74(F) Squadron Association, The BPAG confirmed in October 2019 the acquirement of ZE360, a Phantom F.3 stored at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre at Manston, Kent and one of only 2 remaining complete examples of the F.3. The BPAG plans to restore this aircraft to its original RAF markings. The BPAG also obtained XT905 (a FGR.2 used as a training aid at North Luffenham in Rutland until 2013) and XT597 (one of 2 pre-production FG.1's used by The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE)). In autumn 2020, the BPAG accepted an offer to join the growing band of heritage aircraft operators based at Cotswold Airport. XT597 and XT905 were transferred to the site in summer 2021 with ZE360 joining them in 2024 from Manston. The Group are in the process of establishing workshops on site, and have a long-term plan to restore all three for display.

F-4J(UK) ZE360

[ Picture taken at Manston on 25th May 2024 just before XT597 was transported to Kemble on 19th July 2024 ]

British Airways announced the early retirement of their Boeing 747 fleet in early 2020 and had previously re-painted three of their aircraft in past liveries (BOAC, Landor and Negus) to celebrate 100 years of service. Rather than being scrapped it was negotiated for G-CIVB, in the Negus livery, to be transferred to a permanent home at Cotswold Airport arriving in October 2020 for the purpose of Public Tours, Corporate Events and private hire venue.

On 7th November 1962 XP502 was the first Gnat to enter service with 4 FTS (Flying Training School), having first flown on 24th August 1962. Retired in 1978 to instructional use as 8576M at RAF St. Athan, she was auctioned off in 2000 and acquired by Delta jets at Kemble. 

XP502 has now been painted to represent Red Arrow XR540 and is located adjacent to the Cotswold Airport control tower.

Shortly after serving with 118 Squadron in RAF Germany, XE665 was converted from a T.4 to a T.8 variant, serving with the Royal Navy.

After retirement in 1995 XE665 was acquired by the Hunter Flying Club at Exeter, but would soon move on to Delta Jets at Kemble where it was part of the spare Hunter line on the north side of the airfield. Following Delta's collapse, it eventually moved on to Midair Squadron who painted the aircraft in their corporate silver scheme for use as a static exhibit. Midair Squadron collapsed in 2015, but XE665 is still on display adjacent to the AV8 café at Cotswold Airport.

Built in October 1959, XH134 served with the Royal Air Force. XH134 retired to Kemble on 31st July 2006, along with XH131 and XH135. XH134 and XH135 were acquired by Midair in August 2006, with XH134 returning to flying condition in 2013 as G-OMHD, with XH135 being utilised for spares. Following the demise of Midair a couple of years later, XH134 is now on display behind the AV8 Cafe at Cotswold Airport.