M5Clive Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Friday July 15th, Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July 2011 Hi folks! Well this isn't the full-blown legend that is comprehensively and unquestionably the one and only 'Operation Bolero' of Stevens and Abbott fame (and no fortune), but the very next best thing given the time scale! This summer, the ‘Our Little Friends Wartime Weekend’ is an event being staged on an original US Eighth Air Force airfield in East Anglia, perpetuating the admiration for the Allied Fighter aircraft of World War Two and the men who flew them. The weekend will uniquely combine a collection of historic operational warbirds along with period re-enactors and Military Vehicles to give a truly nostalgic insight into the operations of the USAAF flying from England in WWII. 'Our Little Friends' is a collaboration between WWII Warbird operator Maurice Hammond, convoy co-ordinator exceptional' Ed Abbott and myself as the creator of previous 'Experiences' (as Jack calls them) 'The Gathering of Eagles' and 'Operation Bolero.' We have all teamed up voluntarily to throw our particular talents into the ring to stage this WWII themed charity weekend in the East Anglian countryside! Held at former United States Army Air Force heavy bomber Station 104, close to the Norfolk/Suffolk border, the event will have a packed itinerary starting on the evening of Friday 15th and concluding on the evening of Sunday 17th July. Throw into the plot a Bolero convoy aimed at US heavies, a Big Band 40’s Hangar Dance, a WWII warbird and aircraft fly-in, an educational interactive presentation on the construction of the local airfields and how they were used and the possibility of meeting some returning Eighth Air Force veterans from the USA who flew from the region in WWII..........and well, it all adds up to something a little bit different in the show diary! Maurice Hammond owns and operates the Hardwick Warbirds Collection, which comprises of five privately owned WWII Military Aircraft that have all being painstakingly restored over many thousands of hours, back to their former glory. The pride of the collection are two immaculate P-51D Mustang Fighter’s - both of which are painted to represent aircraft that flew combat operations from East Anglia during 1944 and one of which has an actual combat history. Have you ever hankered to get a good quality photograph of your own MV alongside a real icon of WWII aviation? For one weekend in July this year, Hardwick airfield will once again be awakened and resound to the sights and sounds of wartime England. The noise of packard-built Merlin Engines running up, the sound of Jeeps and 6x6 trucks trundling around the airfields remaining concrete roads, the familiar sound of Glenn Miller’s ‘String of Pearls’ once again echoing between the buildings and the hustle and bustle of yester-year nostalgia. The event is being held on entirely private land and vehicle entries and camping spaces are genuniely limited due to space constraints on-site. From an historical acuracy point of view, the organisers are encouraging vehicles and re-enactors of the period with an understandable slant towards USAAF equipment to compliment the aircraft and the historic location. Those folks who have supported our many convoy events over previous years going right back to the very first 'Red Ball Express Rally' we staged in Wiltshire in 1990 will also be encouraged to join us again and those repeat entrants will be given priority booking, if space does become a genuine issue. Entry to the Big Band Dance will be by ticket only and monies raised throughout the course of the weekends activities will go directly to Cancer Charities. If your driving down to Beltring with your MV, why not break your journey in East Anglia the weekend before and be part of something different? All enquiries to Clive Stevens on 01379 871020 or e-mail clivestevens17@yahoo.co.uk Edited February 24, 2011 by M5Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Since announcing the event a week ago I have had the following entrants book in:- Dave Griffin - Diamond T 981 Grey Radley - White M3 Half Track Dave Wright - Dodge WC-62 Jimmy Snowling - Dodge WC-51 Dan Snowling - GMC 352 Peter Snowling - Dodge Carryall Roy Baker - Dodge Carryall Tony Butt - Dodge WC-63 Jerry Hill - Morris Commercial Andy Dickinson - GMC 353 Brian Slingsby - GMC 352 Lindsey Smith - Willys MB Howard Wade - Dodge Carryall Me - GMC 353 / 41 Chrylser (static!) Kevin Gant - GMC 353 Not bad for an event which has only been publicised one week on HMVF ! Edited February 24, 2011 by M5Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Room for a little one? (Clarkat B) And another 353? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Since announcing the event a week ago I have had the following entrants book in:- Dave Griffin - Diamond T 981 Grey Radley - White M3 half Track Dave (Felixstowe) - Dodge WC-62 Jimmy Snowling - GMC 352 Peter Snowling - Dodge Carryall Roy Baker - Dodge Carryall Tony Butt - Dodge WC63 Jerry Hill - Morris Commercial Andy Dickinson - GMC 353 Brian Slingsby - GMC 352 Lindsey Smith - Willys MB Howard Wade - Dodge Carryall Me - GMC 353 / 41 Chrylser (static!) Kevin Gant - GMC 353 Not bad for an event which has only been publicised one week on HMVF ! + NOS - GMC 353 / Clarket B Thats six GMC CCKW's already - Think its gonna be another cracking convoy of heavies...... Edited February 23, 2011 by M5Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I'll have to discuss this at home but would there be space for a dutch family of 4 without a WWII vehicle? The tent will be WWII so don't worry about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I am not sure about this event - Clive you any good at these things - have you had much experience of putting on events:whistle::cellphone: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy harleston eng Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 clive. please add another snowling to the list and a weapons carrier. i think im more excited about this than i am about beltring this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) clive - I think im more excited about this than i am about Beltring this year! I'm not entirely sure that 'Simon' shares your thoughts on this, but I do have to fully agree with you sentiment! Of course you can make it a 3 Ship Formation (I have adjusted the list) - And i'm assuming brother and father are also on-board considering the family connection to the venue? Edited February 24, 2011 by M5Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 I'll have to discuss this at home but would there be space for a dutch family of 4 without a WWII vehicle? The tent will be WWII so don't worry about that. Joris, it wouldn't be the same without you! No problem with bringing the children either - (You know we try to get all the family involved as much as possible.) Jack will be putting up the HMVF Tent just like he did for Bolero 2007 (not that he knows it yet, but he will) and of course as the founder member of the Maurice Hammond Appreciation Society, he will also be polishing the hub caps on his fleet of aircraft and providing the polish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 That's good news JN - but not as much drink as last time please - I am a bit older now and can't keep up with you youngsters.... - now what we need to is butter someone up for a lift over the weekend :coffee: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Talked to Dorien yesterday and she gave it a green light so we'll be attending! After Bolero we'll be on vacation so we can't bring a WWII tent, is that a big problem? Of course I will bring my complimentary load of Alfa beer. Can't tell you how exciting I am about this weekend, really looking forward to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Cubed Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 (edited) Can we have a map or address of where in abouts in the country it is being held as us southerners don't know where it is, so I can price transport Edited February 27, 2011 by R Cubed cant spellll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 If I'm not mistaken: http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=nl&geocode=&q=Bungay,+Verenigd+Koninkrijk&aq=0&sll=51.626316,5.542696&sspn=0.011003,0.027874&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bungay,+Suffolk,+Verenigd+Koninkrijk&ll=52.464377,1.309776&spn=0.043194,0.111494&t=h&z=14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosie Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Can we have an map or address of where in the country it is being held as us southerners don't know where it is Hopefully we will make an appearance over the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 If I'm not mistaken:http://maps.google.nl/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=nl&geocode=&q=Bungay,+Verenigd+Koninkrijk&aq=0&sll=51.626316,5.542696&sspn=0.011003,0.027874&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bungay,+Suffolk,+Verenigd+Koninkrijk&ll=52.464377,1.309776&spn=0.043194,0.111494&t=h&z=14 Pretty much, Maurice's strip is to the east of Hardwick airfield, the grass strip running roughly east-west in the pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) Dave Griffin - Diamond T 981 Grey Radley - White M3 Half Track Dave Wright - Dodge WC-62 Jimmy Snowling - Dodge WC-51 Dan Snowling - GMC 352 Peter Snowling - Dodge Carryall Roy Baker - Dodge Carryall Tony Butt - Dodge WC-63 Jerry Hill - Morris Commercial Kevin - Bedford QL (GS) Andy Dickinson - GMC 353 Brian Slingsby - GMC 352 Lindsey Smith - Willys MB Howard Wade - Dodge Carryall Me - GMC 353 / 41 Chrylser (static!) Kevin Gant - GMC 353 Tony Goff - GMC 353 / Clarket Malcolm Holland - WC-51 Kevin Taylor - Willys MB Jack (our hero) Beckett - 1997 3 Man pup tent with mahogany poles & winter lashing straps Joris (Mod) - 1974 Millets 4 man bivouac tent with extended porch awning, and stainless steel pegs As one can see, the list continues to grow with an ever increasing variety of exhibits for the public to admire....... Edited March 2, 2011 by M5Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Thanks Clive - I need style (a man of my position and all that) so I will want to be travelling in your Staff car..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Really looking forward to this one!!! :dancinggirls: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 (edited) I'm sure between us we could find some suitable cammo netting to chuck over those non- U.S. issue tents :police: :cheesy: Alternatively Joris could pitch his tent in the back of a GMC and Jack could just kip on the back seat of the Chrysler? Edited March 3, 2011 by N.O.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 and Jack could just kip on the back seat of the Chrysler? Nah - I am in with you N.O.S. :coffee: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWade Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Well it all sounds like this is going to be yet another great event, really looking forward to this one, Clive will there be somewhere I can hide the Camper?. Do you want the Bofors Gun brought along. Howard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thanks Clive - I need style (a man of my position and all that) so I will want to be travelling in your Staff car..... I think some bloke is bringing a mini-moke............I'll tap him up for a space for you (a man of your position and all that).............! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 (edited) Well it all sounds like this is going to be yet another great event, really looking forward to this one, Clive will there be somewhere I can hide the Camper?. Do you want the Bofors Gun brought along. Howard. By 'camper' you mean the 'Farley's Ruskie mobile' ? Its green and has six wheels, so no problem. The Bofors Gun will definitely add some atmosphere - especially if R Cubed brings his 'Long Tom' along as well ! Edited March 3, 2011 by M5Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 I think some bloke is bringing a mini-moke............I'll tap him up for a space for you (a man of your position and all that).............! Besides, if you really want to travel in the Chrysler then no problem - Just be sure to have a spare fluid drive top-gear in your box of spares for when we get further than 15 miles away from base camp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 By 'camper' you mean the 'Farley's Ruskie mobile' ? Its green and has six wheels, so no problem. The Bofors Gun will definitely add some atmosphere - especially if R Cubed brings his 'Long Tom' along as well ! Hey c'mon Clive, here I was thinking of you as an expert and you can't tell the difference between a 105 and a Long Tom:shocked: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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