Great Dorset Steam Fair

[fv1609]

Well I have just about dusted myself down. Was there for a whole week & very lucky with the weather. The MV section was only a quarter of the size of the commercial section and space being at a premium tents were restricted to one military tent no greater than appx 9x9 ft & no caravans. This made the display 100% military & allowed the max number of entries.

 

I am pleased to say we had neither of the two regular military units. That may sound strange but the RTR unit usually have an AFV for kids to climb over, as they have been next to us the vehicle climbing spills over into our vehicles. In previous years the RS detachment have been plonked into our limited space & would selfishly run their generator into the small hours so troops could place video games on the comms PCs. So I am glad they weren’t there.

 

Only took a couple of pics. I think the clumping together of vehicle types looked more impressive like the two ferrets were next to each other and so were these two things.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v684/fv1620/DSCF4913.jpg[/img]

 

Living in the cipher trailer I like to nose out of my barred windows to see what’s going on, but my fear is having my daylight blocked out by some massive lorry. I got away with it this year by inviting an airfield tug to park next to me.

 

The MV section is just in front of the vehicle arena, so throughout the day we were inhaling fumes of petrol, deisel, paraffin & soot not to mention the inevitable dust. Hay/fume fever seemed to hit many of us & seemed worse this year with stinging eyes. I tried various official remedies (a-histamines, beconase, eye drops, wearing sunglasses), eating a whole orange (not at once, in pieces but the rind as well) nothing seemed to help. But the final day was slightly cooler but I resorted to buying some “bee pollon” the previous deay which seemed to avoid the symptoms amazingly.

 

The on-site radio station played predominantly stuff of 40 years ago which suited me fine. But it did go down hill once the show opened on the Wed. This is understandable as the advertising increased enormously but we had endless interviews with various people including nit-wits telling us how many years they have been coming to the show & why the have come this year. Yes I know it’s good, that’s why I was there!

 

This was the other thing that caught my eye.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v684/fv1620/DSCF4897.jpg[/img]

 

Yes I know what you are thinking it’s a JA 2069 that replaced the JA 5693. But if you look at the windows you will see it is the later version of the Tent, Marquee, Universal, GS, Double J1/8340-99-942-4590.

 

Question 1: How many man & how long to erect?

Question 2: For what purpose was it erected at GDSF?

 

[Jack]

Nice to see you Clive on Sunday and thank you for the grease all over my hands :computerterror: Mr HF said to me just hold onto that mirror, climb up and look into Clives cab ...........the mirror arm wass covered in grease :whistle:

 

It was the first time that I had been to the GDSF for over ten years, and I liked it - I surprised myself! I was also impressed with the MV section and may be tempted to go myself next year............ :whistle: Met Andy Wright from Hants with the 6th oldest GMC on record!!! I said that we would all be interested in the history of that beauty as he has record of it landing on Omaha on the 9th June 1944.........wow!

 

For once I decided to leave my camera at home - wished I didn't as there was some great pictures to be taken :cry: :cry:

[fv1609]

Nice to see you Clive on Sunday and thank you for the grease all over my hands :computerterror: Mr HF said to me just hold onto that mirror, climb up and look into Clives cab ...........the mirror arm wass covered in grease :whistle:

 

For those not in the know. I get peed off with people trying to look in the Hornet by grabbing hold of my wing mirrors. They are a fiddle to readjust, get bent & even once the mirror got broken. There is a sign above each door in yellow with black writing saying "KEEP OFF".

 

For those who ignore this will find the anti-boarding strategy of grease on the mirror stalks :evil:

 

Jack, I think you were led astray by the bystander.

[snowtracdave]

Had a report - second hand - from one of the stationary engine exhibitors & regular GDSF attendee that the Mil section was excellent this year & a credit to all the exhibitors involved .

[Richard Farrant]

 

Yes I know what you are thinking it’s a JA 2069 that replaced the JA 5693. But if you look at the windows you will see it is the later version of the Tent, Marquee, Universal, GS, Double J1/8340-99-942-4590.

 

Question 1: How many man & how long to erect?

Question 2: For what purpose was it erected at GDSF?

 

 

 

Hi Clive,

 

We have one of these tents at Beltring, but without the centre section and only one pole and we can put that up with a minimum of 4 men, reckon the one shown would be minimum of six.

 

I can see where it was, but not sure of its use, not a cider tent by any chance?

 

Good to see you and meet Mr HF, we had two really enjoyable days there.

[fv1609]

Hi Clive,

 

We have one of these tents at Beltring, but without the centre section and only one pole and we can put that up with a minimum of 4 men, reckon the one shown would be minimum of six.

 

I can see where it was, but not sure of its use, not a cider tent by any chance?

 

Good to see you and meet Mr HF, we had two really enjoyable days there.

 

 

You did well with your erection at Beltring it should take 10 men one hour.

 

Yes at it happens it was a cider tent. I went in there 2 years ago & got led astray, then the evening went quickly & the next thing I knew I spent the next day being sick & unable to stand up until the evening came. I think the product must still up to specification as on Sat morning there were 3 unconscious customers still lying on the ground outside the tent. :roll:

[abn deuce]

seem the "cider" tent was a WMD in disguise! to have affected so many , you are forewarned stay only at your peril

[Richard Farrant]

erection at Beltring it should take 10 men one hour.

 

That long? worth trying Viagra, may get it up quicker :whistle:

[fv1609]

That long? worth trying Viagra, may get it up quicker :whistle:

 

So you've obviously had success with it then? 8-)

 

The book says it should take 30 minutes to get it down & put away.

 

I note the wartime version needed 10 men and a NCO to help them. Although no time for either process is given.

 

 

[miss jeep]

just a couple of pics from GDSF, of the Dorset MVT,

[LeeEnfield]

would this event not be a bad one to stage a HMVF get-together ??

[ashley]

Nice pictures :tup:

Thanks for showing.

 

Ashley