Jack

I hear you on that. Being going on and off for about 30 years. One time we used to take our shepherds hut to display and spend the week on the thrashing drum. Even thou it is chalk - when it gets wet it gets wet. I was thinking more along the lines of if it rains then the trench system may show us just a tiny bit of how it was.

Thanks for sharing those pictures Tim/Tony. I am nipping over to the fair on Thursday/Friday and on my list were the WWI vehichles. The day will be even better with that trench system to see. These guys will be in the element as they aren't far from hallowed ground of Blandford Camp which was also used a German PoW camp during WWI. Richard - if it does rain then that is going to a great site to see too - may be not for the guys but certainly for us public :blush: Top effort to all those that have made this happen. Just how it should be :-)

Simply STUNNING!!!! The music score too. Thanks Spanter - just made my day!

But you are never going to have a lot of British vehicles - we didn't produce them in the numbers the Americans did.

Thanks for the update chaps.

Great stuff Sean - many years ago I did inquire about the Matador (moment of madness bearing in mind my mechanical skils :coffee: ) but you can't just let these things rot. I do think it went to a good home in the end?

Lets hope that this historic occasion builds enough enthusiasm and excitement to get another Lancaster or two that we have in museums here back in the air. Now that would be mind blowing!!!! I would give money to that project. COME ON!

I think the Normandy 'affect' had some effect on this years show as it seemed very very quiet. I think for many, budgets and allowances were used up for the 70th. Certainly my last W&PR.

From one of HMVF's advertiser: As part of Cherished Vehicle Insurances commitment to supporting and building on our relationships with the military vehicle community, the team once again hit the road to attend the “Wartime in the Vale” weekend. Cherished Vehicle Insurance Office Manager, Mark Harman said “We'd like to thank the shows organisers and the whole military enthusiast fraternity for making us feel so welcome on what was a fantastic event. It was great to meet new friends from around the world and talk to some of our existing customers”. The quality of the military machines on display was stunning. Special congratulations go to Charles Brittain-Jones and his 'Water Buffalo' which was awarded 'Best in Show'. The LVT-4, Land Vehicle Tracked amphibious beach assault craft was making its debut appearance at a UK show having only arrived from the U.S. two weeks before. Capable of carrying cargo or up to 30 marines, the vehicle can reach speeds of 20 mph on land and 7.5 mph in water. One of the shows organisers and Area Secretary for the South Midlands Area of the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT), Paul Valiadis was pleased with the event saying “though I see it as more of a partnership, Cherished Vehicle Insurance were able to sponsor our event again including paying for the transport of some of the rarer tanks and noon-day guns and assisting us with our marketing materials, it all goes towards making it a better show. And personally, I like it that this insurance provider genuinely wants to get closer to its customers by attending some of the larger events” Charles (Brittain-Jones) pictured receiving his prize, a limited edition print titled ‘PANZER-MARSCH’ – The last advance of Tiger 131, from Cherished Vehicle Insurance Office Manager, Mark Harman. Mark and the team will be out and about again at the Combined Ops Military Vehicle and Airshow on the weekend of the 16th – 17th August.

Folks - check this story out........... http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/stop-press-barn-finds-sale-license-built-messerschmitt-109g.html

It was!!!!

Yeah, sorry Gary - I was just hanging out with Damien Lewis and the other Band of Brothers actors and stuff. Been flipping busy lately, this weekend I had lunch with Kate Adie and Dan Snow, drank champagne with Bruce Cromptom and the founder of World of Tanks, Victor Kislyi. I will put some more Normandy pics up!

Fantastic pics - amazing for you to be there with those giants of history. Thank you for sharing

The Mack, the Sherman and the ambulance........... The best laid plans of mice and men are always game for a laugh. The WHO command team had been planning a meet up between the three of us in Dorset to combine with Weymouth’s Veterans weekend events. This involved the perpetually sunburnt Dutchman, Joris, flying in from somewhere unpronounceable and me driving over from sunny Essex to rendezvous with Jack in Dorchester, the likeable county town of Dorset. Such are the delights of the British roads system the flaming journey took me nearly six hours travelling round London and then heading southwest; a distance of little more than two hundred miles. But I got there in... http://www.warhistoryonline.com/articles/final-drive-dorset-misadventure-mark-barnes.html

Kind of where it all started for me back in 2003 and have been back most years since. With the GMC when I had it, on foot or on Jims Sherman. This year I was lucky enough to drive Jims Mack around what felt like most of Dorset. A stunning restoration and a gorgeous truck to drive. A Mans Truck for sure. - I didn't break it. Real pleasure to drive, cab canvas off, windscreen down - it's the only way to travel. It was one of the best weekends I have had down there. The weather was perfect and so too was the company. Joris and Mark (snapper) came down to join me as we had business to attend to as well. Tanks as you know always draw a crowd and pulling into the fuel station was no different. Jim was up on top of the Sherman - Sherman still running - half way through filling up the attendant stopped the pump. I was sent to discover what the issue was. It was the fact that we had created a standstill, or that Jim was emptying the station of fuel...it was because ladys on the tank was on her mobile phone :-| A big thank you from all of us to Jim. So here some random shots by me, Joris and Mark - Marks being the good ones.

Great work Tony!

Tim - you will know of this I expect but just in case......... http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/funding-sought-restore-coventry-built-7317572

We are at Beckett Towers are hiring a minibus and five of us are going over on the Saturday! Got a busy week!

Just thought some may be interested in some of these images. Those of us who attend the Weymouth Veterans weekend know some of these places. Buzzfeed picked up on our Ghosts of History work hence this article on their website. http://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewtucker/spinetingling-pictures-of-war-ghosts-from-the-past

Thanks for the update Degsy and loving the PMA! We are all behind you. Take care, Jack.

Welcome aboard Mark!

We are looking at them and will chase that up!

I know some folks don't always check their emails so will post it here too. As you may have seen, we have been asked for a long time now for more HMVF clothing in time for the show season. It helps make you stand out to fellow HMVF'ers when you are at shows - but please be warned, it does attract the opposite sex so go a bit careful...! Joris has been working hard behind the scenes and has built us a T shirt shop and the link is at the bottom of this post. We have a good range of colours and if you look through the rest of the shop then you will see many more designs that we offer. PLUS - check out the shipping and how cheap it is when you increase your order so may be wise to 'group' buy. Any questions then please just ask as that's what we are here for and here is the link: http://www.warhistorystore.com/collections/hmvf Warm regards, Jack.

Just had a call from Jim - he is being low key as usual........... More tank pictures as local traders "wage war" on Mayor Ferguson's plans for Residents Parking Zone in Clifton Village