Negus Boeing 747-436 G-CIVB at Cotswold Airport
Overview
Calling all plane buffs!
This is a fantastic opportunity to see inside the Negus Boeing 747-436 G-CIVB based at Cotswold Airport.
We will get entry to the 747 and up to an hour to have a good look around. This will be a self-guided tour around the aircraft, observing all the original features left in place by British Airways before exploring the new events section in the economy cabin.
In early 2020, British Airways announced the early retirement of their Boeing 747 fleet, due to the downtime caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. A year prior to this announcement, British Airways had re-painted three of these iconic aircraft into heritage colour past liveries (BOAC, Landor and Negus), celebrating 100 years of service.
After 6 weeks of negotiations, it was announced that G-CIVB, Negus livery B747 was to have a permanent home at Cotswold Airport, rather than being scrapped. Negus arrived at Cotswold Airport in October 2020, much to the delight of many aviation enthusiasts.
In order to earn her keep, work began to transform the aircraft into a corporate events space and private hire venue. Work included re-wiring her to work on mains power, rather than her own APU and installing a professional AV system for events.
On 11th February 2022, G-CIVB was officially opened by local councillor, Joe Harris.
Almost a year and a half since she flew into the airport, in March 2022, Negus opened for the public to step onboard, with many original aspects of the aircraft in the same place as the day she flew in.
Since opening in March 2022, Negus has seen an overwhelming amount of visitors on public tour dates, Cotswold Airport say that they are honoured to be able to host tours onboard this beautiful Queen of the Skies.
Please note that this event is not a Spice exclusive and is open to members of the public.
And as if seeing one plane isn't enough for you, we should also be able to visit the Bristol Britannia XM496 affectionately known as 'The Whispering Giant'. The Bristol Britannia was the world’s first long range ‘jet-prop’ airliner. It was developed as part of the drive to re-build Britain’s civil aviation industry after the Second World War when the focus at the Bristol Aeroplane Company had been mainly on bomber production.
The preservation society looking after this plane will let us onboard, sit in the pilots seat and operate the controls. This is separate to the Negus entry cost and is free but they do exist on donations and are grateful for anything that supports their preservation work.
Following our visit to the planes we will visit AV8 the onsite cafe for a spot of lunch (payable on the day).
Location & Itinerary
Cotswold Airport have a cafe AV8 so we are planning to have a table booked for a lunch after our visit (payable on the day).
Lunches include Pizza, Sandwiches, Jacket Potatoes, Ciabatta, and a range of hot and cold drinks. SATURDAY MENU
Directions: From the North
There are several options, one of which is to take the M5 to Junction 11A and then the A419 to Cirencester. Once at Cirencester, take the A433 Tetbury Road. Follow the A433 towards Tetbury. You will pass under a railway bridge and The Thames Head pub on the right. Approximately 1½ miles further you will approach a right-hand bend with a small country turning off to the left. Turn into this road, signposted Jackaments Bottom Farm. Once you have turned at the Jackaments Bottom Farm signpost on the A433, follow the track to the very end where you will see the entrance to the Cotswold Airport. The large metal gates should be open, but if not, please press the ATC buttons on the keypad, and they will open the gate for you.
Once through this gate, follow the road and blue signs to Control Tower and AV8 Restaurant which will be visible on your left-hand side.
You can report to the Control Tower, marked with a sign as shown below, for information and assistance.
From the East (London, M25 etc), West and South West
Take the M4 to junction 17, and then follow the A429 north towards Cirencester. Please do not exit at junction 15 as it is easy to get lost and is no faster this way.
Though you will see Kemble Airport on the left-hand side, after Malmesbury and Crudwell, you will not be able to gain access from this road.
Continue on A429 towards Cirencester, past Cotswold Airport and you will come to Kemble village.
You will see a traffic light crossing in the middle of the village. Turn left here (signposted Coates) and follow under the bridge to the end of the road.
At the T-junction turn left onto the A433. After about ¾ mile, you will approach a right-hand bend with a small country turning off to the left. Turn into this road, signposted Jackaments Bottom Farm.
Map: Please follow this link to Google Maps should you require detailed directions.
Host & Everything Else
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