Kemble Graveyard 4th January 2017 Dave Rose
Business took me to the Swindon area, so I thought I would update the spotting situation at Kemble. ASI are the main tenant on the airfield, and are very active parting out airliners and short term storage. Viewing the inmates is still easy, although the airfield is split into 2 parts, the parting out area, and the scrapping pan. Driving from Cirencester, take the A429 towards Tetbury, which turns into the A433 but dont turn left towards Kemble. A few miles later you will see the entrance to "Cotswold Airport", follow the track up to the security gate (unmanned).
Look left here and you have your first view of the scrapping pan, HERE Once you have checked it out, drive onto the airfield, the first thing you come across is the storage area and this usually has the next victims parked aswell. HERE HERE You will then arrive at the 2 ASI parting out hangars and the contol tower with the AV8 Restaurant. Shots such as these can be had from HERE
The south side of the field can be seen here, its mainly industrial but has a Canberra and Meteor displayed next to long term inmate Boeing 747 G-MKGA.
Driving further round brings you to Chevron Enginering, they specialise in BAe146 storage and refurb, although this has tailed off and none were present during my visit, although aircraft may have been hangared, as they were closed. ASI overflow can be found here, with 2 ex Saudia 744's awiting death.
Backtracking to the main A433, turn right and after a mile or so, turn right into Kemble village. Then turn right on the main A429 towards Malmesbury, you will then come across the main scrapping pan, park in the lay-by. Shots like this can be had HERE HERE HERE
Driving further along, pull into the crash gate and shots like these can be had HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE
Kemble is well worth a visit if you are in the area, although its future is uncertain. There are plans to close the airfield and build over 2,000 houses on it. Where will ASI go then?? Unfortunately, I can't think of anywhere......................
Inmates on 4th January
| 2-LNOA | Aerospatiale ATR 42512 | 532 | Withdrawn from use |
| 5H-FJG | Airbus A319112 | 2891 | Leasing Company |
| G-CELJ | Boeing 737330 | 23529 | Leasing Company |
| G-CELP | Boeing 737330QC | 23522 | Leasing Company |
| G-CELZ | Boeing 737377QC | 23658 | Leasing Company |
| G-CGYU | British Aerospace 146-RJ85 | E2275 | Leasing Company |
| G-CIYW | Embraer ERJ-145LU | 145564 | Eastern Airways |
| G-CIYX | Embraer ERJ-145LU | 145601 | Eastern Airways |
| HS-TJE | Boeing 7772D7 | 27730 | Leasing Company |
| HZ-AIV | Boeing 747468 | 28339 | Leasing Company |
| HZ-AIX | Boeing 747468 | 28341 | Leasing Company |
| HZ-AIY | Boeing 747468 | 28342 | Leasing Company |
| LX-JFV | Pilatus PC-12-47E | 1409 | Jetfly Aviation |
| M-FTOH | Boeing 727269 | 22359 | Leasing Company |
| N303SF | Airbus A319112 | 1303 | Leasing Company |
| PT-MZC | Airbus A319132 | 1092 | Leasing Company |
| TF-AAE | Boeing 7474H6 | 27672 | Leasing Company |
| TF-AMS | Boeing 747481 | 24920 | Leasing Company |