Rlangham

Errrrm not sure - who's that? The only guys there with horses were 17th Lancers, one as shown was portraying 1914, and there was another portraying 1918 - when I upload the rest of my photographs (probably tomorrow evening) i'll include one of the other guy.

This is a different - and better - one. The one made for the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, based on a Centurion chassis (as you probably know), was sold off to the King of some middle eastern country - this one is 2/3's the length of the original, as it was built for an indoor film set so had to be light. The tracks etc are spot on for a Mk IV and, despite the fact it's a bit stunted compared to the LOEGM one, it's much more accurate - if you get one of the photos I took of it on its own with no infantry, and compress it vertically, it looks spot on!

Here's some more information on it, showing it before it was painted more accurately, and with a rather long Lewis gun on the front! More to come either tomorrow or Tuesday evening

http://www.tanks4hire.co.uk/WW1armouredmilitarytank.html

Here's just a taster of many photos (oh, and video) to come - hope you enjoy them!

17th Lancers demonstration

Blimey - maybe I should knock off a few more signs, put them on ebay and pay off my student loan!

Won't be displaying i'm afraid - not with that WW2 group anymore, and with a WW1 instead now. No idea if they'll be there at all or not this year

I'll try and get down for the June 1st show - need to make use of my SVAS membership card!

Was the speedboat something to do with RAF flying boats?

The Fordson model F tractor plays a very important part in British history. In 1917, due to the German U boat blockade of the country, Britain's food reserves were down to only two weeks remaining. Production of food had to be sped up, and fast. However, there were tremendous difficulties in this - many horses had been requisitioned by the Army, and of course there was a shortage of manpower too. Mechanisation of farming was the only way to ensure there was enough food supplies to stop the nation from starving.

Lord Northcliffe inspecting the Fordson model F tractor with Henry Ford

In the USA, Henry Ford, who had already gave the world wheels with the Ford model T, was setting up a factory for the sole purpose of producing tractors, the Fordson model F. Prime Minister of Britain Lloyd George sent his representative, Lord Northcliffe, to the USA to try and persuade Henry Ford to start manufacturing large amounts of the Fordson model F for export. On 8th October 1917, the first one rolled off the production line, becoming the worlds first mass produced tractor. Within six months, the entire order of 7,000 tractors had been delivered to Britain, and the country saved.

Model of a Women's Land Army member driving a Fordson

Seeming as it was my (probably) last ever visit to the Science Museum today, thought i'd do my best to cover most, if not all, of the WW1 related exhibits there

Fantastic example of a 1916 Ford model T

SMLE - they also had another WW1 bits and pieces including a German gas mask, Tank crew leather eye mask with chainmail etc

B type London bus, as used as troop transport and mobile pigeon lofts on the western front

1918 Daimler workshop lorry

Nosecap off Zeppelin L17

Foster 105hp artillery tractor - i've seen a photo of one of these named 'Sloazell' (slow-as-hell)

Without a front view of the WW1 gun, can't tell if it's an 18 or 13 pounder, probably an 18 pounder though. There's a large WW1 event there in a couple of weeks time on the Sunday and bank holiday Monday, featuring a replica WW1 tank, the Great War Society, Pershings Doughboys, live firing 18 pdr and live firing Lewis gun, if not more! I'll be there, in civvies though

Wow.... my perfect barn!

Certainly had a great time over the weekend Duncan, many thanks for all the effort you put in - didn't realise it was you on here, very very nice Bedford MW. Good to hear there was plenty of good feedback from the public, you certainly had the cream of the WW1 living history groups out there in attendance, as boastful as that might sound from one of them! Good to meet you too, if you ever do decide to do an event again i'm sure the Old Contemptibles will be more than happy to attend and support the event.

Thanks for the comments guys, i've even had a mention in the local paper about the weekend!

One enthusiast who is just starting out completed the First World War re-enactor's rite of passage on Friday night – by sleeping in a trench which had been dug on the site.

 

Rob Langham, 19, from Leicestershire said: "It was cold, but it was a good experience. I had always wanted to find out what it would have been like for those soldiers at the time."

from http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/video/Reenactment-revives-memories-of-the.4072679.jp

Lovely bit of kit, thanks for the photos

The ever cheerful GWS

This weekend, the Old Contemptibles, Manchesters, Great War Society and others did an event on the old training ground for the Barnsley Pals to raise awareness and to unveil the memorial to the Barnsley Pals.

Big thanks to Duncan (Bill) for organising this, you've done yourself and the Barnsley Pals proud. Unfortunately missed a shot of David of the GWS with the artillery vest on, looked fantastic

2 inch mortar 'toffee apple' bomb

4 inch Stokes mortar bomb top, and French 75mm tank gun shell (used on the St Chamond and Schneider tanks) middle, brought to England for training purposes

Looks like Roddy the Clydesdale finds Alzamina's magazine interesting

Quite right. The sort of underhand thing we would not expect from a member of the HMVF! It is just not British!

 

Tim (too)

Ah, but I was using my initiative! I did recognise the Thornycroft because of its wheels though, plus you put the photo of the chopped up Daimler up a couple of months ago on the old forum - plus the Autocar is (almost) unmistakeable

Spot on. Well done. Didnt think that you would get the White from this angle. Obvious from the front, but not so from the side. I am impressed.

 

Tim (too)

It helps when you leave the name of the vehicle in the filename

Have uploaded it to HMVFTV (same as it was originally i'm afraid - although after next weekend it may be updated, made longer etc), it's pending though

Thornycroft, White, Benz, Daimler, Thornycroft, Autocar

Made this using photos and a video clip taken at the Zonnebeke WW1 living history event, what do you all think? Any comments/criticism good or bad welcome

Even had a couple of period vehicles

Hope you all enjoy

Here's the photos from today's event at Galley Common, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, to commemorate those from Galley Common who fought and died in the First World War, and also William Beesley VC who lived in Galley Common.

Pete and the great nephew of William Beesley VC, who I managed to contact just prior to the event

Trevor (London Jock) and me

Me stripping the Lewis with my SBR on

Didn't take long before they fogged up and I couldn't see a thing

Especially appropriate today, as Leicester have been relegated!

John

Bit dissapointed I couldn't make it to Brighton for the HCVS run, but i've got a WW1 event in Warwickshire to raise funds to repair the local war memorial

Looks like a 1920's Bean to me, which would be appropriate as they were a West Midlands make

http://www.bwlr.co.uk/beancars.php