Kenley Air Day

I enjoyed Kenley Air Day, despite the fact that the atrocious weather meant that very little actually took to the air, including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which was grounded somewhere due to the low cloud base. This was a real shame because it would have been fantastic to actually stand on Kenley airfield remembering the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and hearing the sound of Merlins overhead. Ah well.

The great thing about the day was how "village fetey" it all was compared to other airshows I've been to like RIAT, Mildenhall, Biggin Hill and so on. It was a dream driving in (I got there at lunch time in a huge downpour) but not so good getting out of the single exit (in another and even worse downpour) along with everybody else who'd seen the clouds gathering and put two and two together in mid-afternoon. There were the usual stalls, but not many of them, and it really did seem to be a local event for local people. The static line was small but perfectly formed with several vintage UK aircraft on display - Tiger and Hornet Moths, Chipmunks and a Percival Prentice - marvellous!

















All credit to the organisers, Kenley Airfield Friends Group, and I really do hope that there's another event next year upon which the weather smiles a little more kindly ....