Kenley Salute 13 August 2005

I arranged the major reunion for Kenley pilots five years ago at the Kenley Memorial unveiling and it was near chaotic (there were I think 10 Kenley Battle of Britain pilots in attendence plsu a number of ground crew) but obviously a good day out for them.

This time around many of them are too frail or did not wish to travel the distance to attend (especially being another a month away from the unveiling of the London Monument on the 18th Sept).

Four pilots were due to attend but two cancelled due to the adverse weather expected (good old BBC weather had it raining from 10am onwards) which is fair enough at their age as who wants to sit around in the damp

William Walker is 92 later this month, which shows how remarkable it is that they are still around 65+ years on. There were a number of Kenley ground crew at the event and also some operations room staff (but no one appeared to interested in their signatures)

As for more aircraft – no one wanted to put up a significant sum for the airshow ad no doubt you saw it relied on local people and businesses to sponsor the aircraft to get the thing off the ground.

On the plus side near £10,000 was raised for the maintenance and upkeep of the RAF Kenley Tribute Memorial – which was the primary aim of the show.

My own thoughts on the display are somewhat mixed;

Plus points.

On the one hand it was great to see some powered flight return to both the tarmac and grass runways of historic Kenley. (Please note I’m not counting powered gliders.)

The event raised the profile of the airfield locally, which can only be a good thing given the number of new residents the area now has.

On the down side.

I felt there were several missed opportunitys.

A major reunion for ex Kenley pilots and ground crew could have been arranged, this could have raised extra funds through signings etc.

Given the historic nature of the location a vintage aircraft fly-in could have been organised.

I know i’ve said this before but a private Spitfire or Hurricane should have been booked. I know the Solent Sky replica Spitfire was there but its not quite the same thing.) I know the BBMF were weathered out but a Spit or Hurricane back on Kenley would have made all the major aviation publications.

Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the day at Kenley, but I have been going up to Kenley since I was about six years old and i feel passionately that it should be preserved.

Septic.

Septic

When the weather in the middle of August is like that you wonder if there is every a good time to have an airshow 😀 but it seemed to hold until the end of the flying – which was fortunate as the MoD weather report had the rain pencilled in for 1pm …

I must admit having been to Biggin Hill year after year it was nice to see some different aircraft and the turbulents put on a good display (and an extra aircraft) and definately kept the crowd amused.

I still think the Herk was the best display – but then again I’m biased.

I am not sure if there will be another event, I would amuse that there wouldn’t be another one for awhile – seeing as the last event there was back in 2000 – so maybe it is a 5 year thing :confused:

I doubt it helps with jet aircraft been vetoed from flying overhead Kenley (unless you are going to Gatwick/Heathrow or for a flypast for the Queen) 😡 but then again it is nice to have an air display without all that noise 🙂

Thanks animx,

What were your impressions of the event. Do you think we will see another.

Septic.

Septic – I know the feeling my father flew Herks for 30 years and I can never tell the difference – I’m more your count the number of engines type of person. 🙂

I liked you pictures of the Grasshopper – lovely little aircraft.

Thanks Airshowsorguk,

Far too modern for my aircraft identification skills.

Septic

animx,

One Hercules photo, I’m sure its a H model.

Septic.

Definatly a J – six blade props and no external tanks!

A few Salute phots are now up on the Airshow section of the forum.

Septic.

Thanks Septic – brings it all back 🙂
Best display of the day (and possibly the longest!)

Also lovely to see two Kenley Battle of Britain of pilots there:
Donald Hulbert (257 & 501 Squadrons)
&
William Walker (616 Squadron)

animx,

One Hercules photo, I’m sure its a H model.

Septic.

Shame the weather turned and trapped BBMF at Cardiff – along with a down pour at Kenley. Lovely weather up until then …

Did anyone take any pictures of the C-130 Hercules ? Swear blind it was a K model and not the J – but then I could be wrong – as I often am.

Just got back – unfortunately BBMF grounded in Cardiff due to weather so were unable to appear!

Some good other stuff though.

Sorry can’t make it tomorrow after all.

Geoff.

Last reminder for the Kenley Salute.

Septic.

Any last minute information on this event?

BTW animx – is there any chance of getting one of those posters? It’d look nice on my wall.

I shall probably arrive at Whyteleafe station between 9 & 10am & call in at St Luke’s before making my way up the hill to the airfield.

If anyone wants to meet up let me know.

Geoff.

Septic

Air displays are funny things – what kills it off these days is the insurance – the more aircraft the higher the insurance bill – strangely enough the insurance for civil owned historic aircraft seems to be more than the RAF aircraft. No idea why … :confused: (better kept maybie 😉 )

Also these days nothing every seems to be free unless heavily sponsored – I think some flying outfits were approached for prop aircraft but the prices wanted were a bit of joke when compared to how much the BBMF three-ship formation cost – but then the MOD probably can do it cheaper as it is good PR.

The air display is free – primarily due to the nature of RAF Kenley – the airfield is surrounded by Common land – so therefore to charge you would have to fence the inner perimeter of the whole airfield and not be able to stop the public from watching from the Common land a few feet away !! 😀

Of course you can’t really stop people from accessing Public Land without have a great number of complaints and a probably trip to court !

The committee believe that most people are good and that they will probably donate something in return for a free show – if not then so be it. So far something like £2,000 has been raised and the show hasn’t even started so it is better than nothing – but at the end of the day this time next week it could be a whole lot more.

I will see if I can find where the home page is – but as I said its very elusive and I doubt its even listed on any search engine !! 🙂

Duxford aircraft are too expensive for a free air show – as the budget doesn’t stretch that far. Obviously you could spend ££££s getting all the best aircraft – but then the BBMF always steal the show. 😎

There is a website – but it is so well hidden no one can find it ! :diablo:

Animx,

I know spending thousands of pounds on Warbirds would never be an option, but given the historical significance of Kenley Aerodrome and the fund raising nature of the event, I’m sure certain warbird owners would have been interested in supporting the event.

I can well remember the late Martin Sargent displaying the PR XI over the airfield at a similar event.

If the event is a fund raiser for the tribute, why is it free, surely it would have been better to charge admission, the word free will obviouslly attract quite a large crowd, but how many of them will actually donate to the tribute fund.

The website, must be elusive even Google can’t find it, any chance of a link.

Septic.

Cheers Animx

map should be attached – heres hoping

Septic/animx

Can either of you tell me where abouts the crash gate entrance is? I understand its in Hayes Lane, but is it actualy in the lane itself or off Anson Close/Gauntlet Cres etc?

A map with the gate marked would be appreciated.

Geoff.