Snapper

More....this is Malcolm's first battle...

More.....

Arena fun...

Here are some snaps - as promised...lots to come.

It was a bit of colour. I suppose we are all a bit cautious how "the hobby" (too broad a term some of the time methinks) is presented to the outside world because you find yourself on a kind of sliding scale from anorak to weirdo or sometimes worse. While at WP this year I witnessed a few things I am glad the folks from the Independent missed. Exuberance of a sort amongst continental gentlemen reliving the days of the thousand year Reich. Someone told me it was recreating history - thus missing the point by some millions of miles. Nuff said. Notwithstanding these horrible scenes I think the show continues to hold water (which might be a pun for 2012). I am on the event team and remain firmly unbiased regardless of this fact. It continues to be a monster in many ways. But it is an incredible spectacle...So I guess I'll see some of you there next summer one way or the other. MB

Superior work.

Hello! That was a bit brief! Tell us a bit more about yourself. Welcome to the Friendly Forum.

Scott - I am sure that is the USAAF aircraft maintenance Dodge that did the HCVS Brighton Run back in the 1980s and I haven't seen it since. If so, it is a very rare vehicle. Great snaps. Glad everyone had a good show. If I hadn't been working, I would have gone. Cheers.. MB

Well said, Al. We have discussed sport in the Mods bunker because we do try to keep it off the forum as far as necessary. However, these are special times and it's nice to reflect the occasion and the massive job being done by our armed forces to support the games in addition to all the people making the games a success either in sport or behind the scenes. Nuff said. :thumbsup:

For those that are interested - the article in the Independent was held back a week and appeared yesterday.

Sad to see the great historian Sir John Keegan has departed. All afficianados of Overlord should read his classic Six Armies In Normandy. RIP. MB

Money is never interupted by mere sentiment. I work in a photo archive and we have endless images of the giants of the fleet going to scrap including the wooden wonders of the 19th century - some of them Trafalgar era veterans - which had been kept as coal hulks and training ships, which were still happily cut up for woodchip in the 1920s and 30s. It is very sad. I would, out of professional interest, love to know the original source for these snaps from the stamps on the reverse (by pm if necessary). No hassle over ownership - newpaper library clearouts have been covered in the copyright thread by me. MB

Good news. I hope you've got room in the loft for all these toys.

You can go to Greatstone on Sea near Dungeness in Kent - (or Littlestone - can't be exact, but I could take you right to the houses) and see two little square bungalows which housed pumping gear for Pluto 2. MB

I think that commentating is an invidious task. It makes sense that Woody splits the WW2 stuff from the post war with Tony. It can't be easy finding a balance between informing and entertaining - especially when you have an arena full of one type and a gallery of public who want to see things going fast or stuff blowing up. While at this year's show more than one person said to me they were glad to see the back of Pat Ware and his presentations. Poor Pat! I have to say the whole thing is a thankless task. I would always prefer to see things zooming around than stationary, but the casual visitor does need information. Big gatherings of one type are impressive when there are truly a lot in the arena (if we are talking WP). But it isn't easy to martial or commentate. I am biased. I have worked as a snapper at WP for years and have always had a laugh with the Arena team. Sometimes they remember my name... and sometimes I remember theirs, like this year. But nowadays I have an excuse. Is it time for my bath now, auntie?

Yeah Woody, a nutshell.....sounds about right. No fires in Nova Scotia this morning, Loootenant? :-D Mark

Absolutely right. Never give in to idiots. Best wishes, Mark

Nothing surprises me at WP. How unfortunate. Was it just your friend, or were there others? I didn't hear of any. MB

Will check!

Three more from Wednesday of the T34s in the arena.

I am working.... I always miss this event due to work or family commitments....

Another fascinating thread. Brilliant stuff. Keep it coming...

Welcome to the Friendly Forum. Unfortunately we can't offer you a joining ceremony that includes HM the Queen and James Bond but we do have dancing girls if the Dutch ever decide to give them back. All you need to do is to wire the air fare for all six to Jack. He'll write you a receipt when he can afford a biro. MB

Not just the mud, my friend.

I had to do some work on the Irish Sun's Olympic games supplement - for God's sake, Joris. I thought we were mates!