bizfreeq

Here is a bit of info that may be of interest: The Dakota was pressed into service with the German Luftwaffe when user countries were invaded.One renowned example NA-LA (a former KLM DC-2 PH-AKT) was requisitioned as the personal hack of General Christiansen, military head of the German occupying Forces of the Netherlands. They also operated: PC-EC formerly PH-AKJ (became D-AKAW with Lufthansa in 1944) SG-KV formerly PH-AKQ (became D-AEAN with Lufthansa in 1944) PC-EB formerly PH-AKR (became D-AIAS with Lufthansa) NA-LF formerly PH-AKS (became D-ABOW with Lufthansa) VG-FJ formerly OK-AID of CLS (became D-AAID with Lufthansa) Lufthansa also had a couple of DC-2s pre war but I have no record of them being used by the Luftwaffe,though at least one ended up used by the Finnish Air Force. Hope that helps.There are more I think but haven't had time to dig through the books etc. Cheers Mark

Thanks very much for your kind words there Darren,nice to know the work Steve and I put in was appreciated.I have to say thanks also go out to you and your crew for making the effort to come all that way,and for the display you guys set up,very impressive! I didn't take any photos so I will have to leave posting those to Steve and your good self! Very good meeting you all,and hope to see you again,sooner rather than later! All the best Mark

Thanks to all the organisers of this fantastic weekend and all those who attended.We came up from Bournemouth not knowing what to expect,and were far from disappointed.(If you can make it next year,I advise you to go,it really is great).You guys are a credit to the hobby,the organisation was second to none,and the atmosphere was very warm and friendly,especially to those from outside your club area....We will be back,no question!! All the very best to all of you who were there Mark

Fantastic,see you there!

Darren/All Camping on site is not available I am afraid,however if anyone wishes to drop gear off on Saturday,by prior arrangement only,we may be able to store in a dry,locked area overnight if needed (but nothing too large!).This will of course only be done at the owner's own risk,we will not be responsible for any losses.The earliest you can be on site Sunday will be around 7.45am.Vehicles entering the site all have to be in situ By 9.30 (for a 10am opening) and must remain until the end of the show at 17.00,as we are not allowed to have moving vehicles within the museum whilst the public are present (H & S and insurance reasons). However there will be plenty of space outside the Museum for vehicle parking and display in a large cordoned off area immediately outside the entrance.If parked here then you can come and go as you like but do co-ordinate with the marshalls please.All vehicle entrants are given two complimentary entrance tickets for driver/passenger.Any additional passengers will have to pay entrance (living history/re-enactors exempt). Booking forms will be available on the Bournemouth Aviation museum website in the next few days,however if you want one now please email myself or Steve at the email addresses given in the previous postings and we will get one out to you asap. Hope to see a lot of you there,and put some faces to names All the best Mark

Following on from last years successful,albeit small,show,I am posting this to announce this year's event.We plan to have on show alongside our exhibits as many visiting military vehicles and cockpits as we can,to really put this event on the map. If anyone on the forum would like to attend with either a vehicle or cockpit,or even as a living history scenario (any era is welcome for all 3,but we cannot accept any Nazi/SS portrayals) please get in touch via this posting or my email at bizfreeq@yahoo.co.uk for further details.We also plan to have a few militaria stalls and Vulcan to the Sky should be in attendance too with their sales tent. Cheers Mark

Hi Ray That was disgraceful on their part,but certainly not on yours.I hope the Staff Sergeant made a full recovery from his injuries?? Looking forward to the next installment. Cheers Mark

Thanks to everyone for their comments.Here is the final batch,this time of the Living History/Re-enactors at the show,and a few more vehicles. Cheers Mark

It was great under that leafy canopy! Will post some more monday,going to Lepe Beach tomorrow so will post some from there too over the next day or so Cheers Mark

Thanks Wayne! Mark

Cheers for the tip Ashley!! I have a good pair of aviator glasses that should do the trick!! As for the Plains run,very interested,and am just discussing it with the rest of our lot as to who would be wanting to go too.Sounds like a fantastic do,so hope to see you there! All the best Mark

Hi PAUL It really was a good show.It is,as far as I know,definitely on again next year,although there was some talk about moving it to another site just outside of town,but at the moment it is as this year. Here is a Googlemap of the location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Castle+Place,+Trowbridge,+UK&sll=51.322218,-2.207308&sspn=0.012096,0.027595&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Castle+Pl,+Trowbridge+BA14+8AL,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.319375,-2.207308&spn=0.012767,0.027595&z=15 The park is just to the SE of the indicator Hope that is useful Mark

Here are some of the vehicles at this event.I will post some more later of the Living histiry and Re-enactors and the last few vehicles Cheers Mark

Hi All It was with some trepidation that we set off early on Saturday morning and headed northwest for Trowbridge.We had heard stories of trouble at the past two events,and upon arrival were told of a rave having been held on the Friday night in the Civic Hall right next to the MV parking area that had kept most awake into the very early hours! For those who are not aware of the site,it is in Trowbridge Park in the centre of town,and is a main pedestrian route between a large housing estate and 3 pubs/2 nightclubs. However our fears were never to be realised! There were security patrols all night long complete with 2 dog units,and I have to say they did a superb job.There was one small incident that involved a group of teens,which was dealt with very quickly and without fuss.Apart from a little noise after pub/club closures,it was a very good night! Anyway....the event itself.....superb!! It was a great atmosphere and great to meet so many people,both MV Owners/Re-enactors and public alike.There was a good line up of MVs of all periods and from a living history/re-enactor side,there was something for everyone from WW1,WW2,French Indo-China etc and even a Raj era Cavalry display.On the Saturday we were treated to flypasts from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and Lancaster,RAF C130 Hercules and the Army Air Corps Historic Flight. There were arena events all day long Saturday and in the evening a great show in the bandstand.Couple all this with superb weather and you really couldn't go wrong.The crowd was huge on the Saturday and a lot smaller on the Sunday as there wasn't so much in the program and a certain footie debacle was on,was quite understandable. All the MVs were parked in the shady area under the trees and I have to admit to feeling very sorry for all those living history and re-enactor people who were out in the sun all day long,they must have been roasting! We all had a superb time and will certainly be back next year (the Civic Hall is being demolished soon so wont be in use next year!) thanks to John Wardle and Terry for making sure there was space for us to attend,it was well worth the 2 hour journey!! Here are some photos from the event,I will post more as I process them Cheers Mark

Glad to help Bill! Let me know how you get on All the best Mark

This is the DFSCTE-Defence Fire Services Central Training Establishment. Not sure how many have survived but the following were present a couple of years back: WK124 CANBERRA TT18 XR503 WESSEX HC2 XS714 DOMINIE T1 XV411 PHANTOM FGR2 XV864 BUCCANEER S2B XW870 GAZELLE HT3 XX116 JAGUARGR3A XX655 BULLDOG T1 XZ966 HARRIER GR3 ZE360 F-4J(UK) They have also just had a Nimrod delivered,though I cannot remember which airframe it was. Opposite there are two very good museums,well worth a visit. Cheers Mark

Hi Ray I have just spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon reading all of your musings.....please please keep posting them.They have stirred every possible emotion.It is not very often that a person of my generation,and one who didn't serve,gets this kind of insight into someones life pre,during and post military service. I really will be looking forward to the next installments!! Hope you are well All the best Mark

Hi Bill Have a look here: http://www.strathclydefirepreservationgroup.org/appliances/GGX_583.htm Cheers Mark

Hi Andy I know what you mean about the fuel!! Contact me via my email address: bizfreeq@yahoo.co.uk That would make things a bit easier,as I am not sure we can through the site. Cheers Mark

Hi Andy Some great photos there,and seeing your set up gives us some idea of where we have got to with ours! If you want to see a few shots of us at Trucks and Troops,have a look at our website here: http://118thsignalsregiment.blog.co.uk/2010/06/14/118th-signals-regiment-may-news-8801831/ I am the loon sat with feet dangling out the back with desert camo and the SA80 on the way to the arena. Do you do any shows further south? It would be great to meet up and have a chin wag! Cheers Mark

Hi Mark My vehicle was there and yes you did photograph it!! It is this one on you website: http://marksmiltaryvehicles.fotopic.net/p65270046.html I was unable to go as my sister was getting married,but Steve was there with the vehicle. Some great photos there by the way All the best Mark

Hi Ashley You are quite correct in your surmising!! We are taking the 109 and one of the lightweights,and I will be riding shotgun in the Hotchkiss to keep Dave company!! Cheers Mark

Hi All My name is Mark,and I am from sunny Bournemouth.I co-own a 1973 Landrover 109FFR with my mates Steve and Mel.We are currently in our first display season,and thoroughly enjoying every second of it so far.Displays to date have been Bournemouth Aviation Museum Vintage Transport Day,Trucks and Troops,Westbury Show,Duxford Military Vehicle Show,Canford Arena Steam and Vehicle show and Trowbridge Armed Forces and Veterans Weekend. Over the course of the last few months,we have got to know a good number of people,and now we get together as a unit with some of them.We now display as the 118th Signals,with the following vehicles currently on strength: 109FFR,110FFR, 2 X Lightweights (one fully radio equipped,and all in working order) and a Green Goddess.We are gradually building up the kit,and hope to be fully 'operational' for next years show season. If you happen across us at any events please come and say hello.At least two of the vehicles will be making the long trek to War and Peace this year along with a friend in his Hotchkiss. Cheers Mark

Many thanks,I enjoyed yours too.I was using a 400mm prime lens on my Canon EOS50D.It is quite a large diameter lens so lets in alot of light so very useful on that day!! Next airshow for me is RIAT at Fairford (Saturday and Monday) and am really looking forward to that! Here are a couple more from Abingdon: All the best Mark

Here are a few of mine taken after the weather cleared! I have to say it was great to meet you MV guys at the show,and cheers for taking the time to talk to us newbies,I will definitely be bringing my 109FFR next year. All the best Mark (Bournemouth)