Snapper

You can rest your case where you like. Oi Pete, when did you see my gloves??? Must have been a Leopard Lodge beano. I know a budding author who's still waiting to hear about your GMC - he's a funny b'stard. As for you Mr Banner. I've never worn camoknickers in my life. Strictly M&S, me - or sometimes Tescos. Every little helps. Pass the sauce. MB

I think these road run events are the way ahead. I love fixed site events - but these things have something we need to expand on.

Sweet moderation, heart of this nation.....

I am contracted to wear HMVF Super Moderator's dress uniform on all occasions. The Tricorn hat gets in the way of my sunglasses when I'm getting in and out of the Iltis. The cavalry boots are a bugger to keep clean and why oh why Jack chose banana yellow for the tunic I do not know. The codpiece doesn't fit either. MB

Good man.

Agree with Tony. I've had a perfectly nice airsoft AK for a while. Looks great - cost me £25. You'll still be able to get the Czech made Russian tin hats knocking about for about the same price if not much less. There were hundreds of them a year or so back. MB

Yes, come to the HMVF tent, relax in one of our famous camouflaged arm chairs and enjoy the dancing girls as they re-enact the Battle of Kursk to the music of Iggy Pop. It's a fun show. Do not throw popcorn at the MC.

Speaking for the Politburo I can assure you that I see this as a joke and not a political statement. Funny is funny. Nice use of irony. MB

See you at Beltring Al, We've got a few lads your age on here who I'm sure will be happy to say hello there. You should try and come to the Bunker Bash at Kelvedon Hatch in two weeks time - an easy jaunt from Norfolk. Convince your old man. Lots of us will be there. Keep smiling, MB

Looks like a Bean. I've only seen one and that is just like this in Lyle syrup livery on the HCVS Brighton Run. It may be out tmrw - if there's anyone in Brighton, have a look. MB

Lucky sods. I'm on the nightshift both days.... MB

I'm sure it was always a good cure for grumbling gearboxes on rally cars...

When are we going to open the HMVF truck stop. Joris can do the washing up, Jack can do the bins, you can butter the rolls and I'll do all the sampling, oh and Lee, you're on crowd control. This leaves someone to do the cooking......looks like you, Bodge. mb

Caffeine free, of course....

Have you actually seen his sundance? Scary stuff...

I fancy a drop of Chateau Milton Keynes...

It's the place to be....

Looking forward to seeing the thing soon...

Yes the ones that just quote references rather than details are really irritating. I see them as a way for some authors to show off about all the research they have (nominally) done without going in to too much detail. I often ignore these things until the end when I'm checking through the bibliography and index. I think it is the bibliography which shows where the work has gone in. Sometimes books and articles are used to gather individual sentences or quotes. Of course none of this stops an author using this list of research to bend a context or two to seal an argument. But that's histriography. I take TB's point about Vietnam and WW1 to be totally accurate. My current read on the Aussies in Nam is a classic example...for the good. The author has cut through all the blarney and lies to get to the truth. Refreshing. mb

Notes have a place, but I hate thumbing all around the book to see where I'm at. I sometimes find the notes to be better than some chapters. I think it comes from the desire of the author to cram in the info and also to authenticate their knowledge. A decent editor should solve this irritant. mb

Two word answer - seven letters.

A friend of mine swears by a satnav, which we call Satbitch because "she" gets on our nerves when she goes random en France. Navving the Somme or Flanders is something I prefer to do with a map because I've drawn so many extra bits on mine (IGN blue series). But the new software transferring all the trench maps on to a sat system (the software is 250 quid) is bloody amazing using one of those palm thingies and I am sorely tempted. I am fifty next year and it could be an ideal present from my adoring family, if they haven't left by then. The French army maps are being added this year. This sort of technology I appreciate...my temperamental Panasonic dvd player, I do not. MB

Agreed on all counts (Degsy and Tony). MB

Agreed on all counts (Degsy and Tony). MB

Leading from the front, eh Jack. Geographic dyslexia. Tut tut. :nono: