TIGER DAY - Armortek Event

[Stephen White]

Tiger Day 15 on 24 July marks the re-opening of the Tank Museum Events. We've had the draft contract and now need to confirm to the Tank Museum whether we will need our running space.

It's not only a good opportunity to meet up with friends after so long and to run models but also to see the new WW2 exhibition. If you haven't already seen it, I can confirm it's superb and well worth a visit.

Could you please let me or Chris Hall know by PM or replying to this thread if you'd like to come?

As it's the first show of the Armortek season, could I also remind about insurance? We will need proof of third party liability cover.

Thanks

[Phil Young]

Hi Stephen
I hope you are keeping safe and well.
Could you please add myself and my wife to the list of attendees?
Will we have to purchase tickets? We would like to bring our Tiger 1 and Tiger 2 tanks if possible.
I attempted to pm you, but not sure if it worked!
Kind regards,
Phil &Trish Young.

[Stephen White]

Hi, Phil, great to hear from you. Well, thanks. No need to buy tickets, I’ll have them for us. More details closer to the event. Glad you can come and two models will be very welcome. Not seen a PM so far. All the best. Stephen

[Chris Hall]

Less than 3 weeks to go now ....... but, with the likely lifting of Covid restrictions on 19 July, we're still awaiting final details from Bovington on exactly where we'll be and what we'll be expected to do. So watch this space !

So far, there are 6 of us signed up, with another couple of possibles, showing a range of armour from WW1 to the Cold War, with a solid core of 'Ferdinand Porsche's Finest' . But we'd welcome as many as possible ! Just remember that you need (a) a functioning Armortek model, and (b) at least £5M of Public Liability insurance cover (a Bovington requirement). If you're unclear where to get that, please contact one of us via PM and we can advise.

Normality is starting to return ..... it's been a long time coming .

Best wishes, and stay well,

Chris Hall
Stephen White

[Chris Hall]

Still at 6 confirmed attendees (all of whom have provided insurance ), with one further possible awaiting a UK Government announcement on foreign double-jabbers being allowed into the UK without quarantine (bureaucrats, eh ? ). And there's at least one other who's expressed an interest but has not yet sent insurance - if that's you, please open up your PM !

It's likely we'll be outside in the Car Park, but the weather is (currently) looking good. But it'll be so good to meet up again, and run our precious toys around for the pleasure of the Public ...........

Not too late to sign up ! You know the drill by now

Best wishes,

Chris Hall
Stephen White

[Phil Young]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reminder, have emailed insurance docs to you!

Phil.

[Chris Hall]

Well, we've closed the book now, as Bovington want final numbers. There will be 9 of us in total, with a goodly range of tanks ranging from WW1 to the Cold War.

Please note carefully the attached instructions from Bovington, in particular the unloading time on Saturday morning:

When you get to the check-in point, just mention 'radio controlled tanks', Stephen or me by name, or Courtney of the Events Team, and you should be fine. 'Armortek' might get you a blank stare, as this isn't a factory event.

The weather forecast is currently looking dubious, although that seems to change day-by-day. Please dress appropriately, and bring a cover for your tank if it gets really bad. And don't forget to bring your insurance ! (even though I've sent all the ones I have to Bovington, it's always good to have it on you for inspection).

Apart from that, it should be a good day ! Really looking forward to running our models again for the enjoyment of the Public (and ourselves, of course ). Oh - and looking at the Real Things running around if you really want to ..........

All the best,

Chris Hall
Stephen White

PS. Please spare a sympathetic thought for Peter Quambusch, who was hoping to join us all the way from Germany with his new JagdTiger. But, due to Covid immigration restrictions and, in particular, the severe flooding in his part of Germany, he can't make it. Perhaps TankFest .....

[Chris Hall]

Not a change of plan ...... just a clarification

Stephen and I have been in discussion with Bovington about alternatives if the weather turns out to be as bad as it's looking. The Events Team are now happy for us to be inside if wet, in the 'usual place' (for us Old Timers !) in the Tank Story Hall between the Sherman Firefly and the Cromwell. At the moment that would be a static only display BUT Bovington will review it with us depending on visitor numbers and the inevitable risk assessment. They will supply flexi barriers, and I've said that we would run just a few tanks at a time so that we could also patrol the barriers, chatting to the public while keeping them out of 'danger'. Anti-Covid masks will, of course, have to be worn while indoors but we're all used to that by now ......

The default position will be as before, ie. outside on the car park. Stephen and I will get there early to agree a final position with the Events Team. If we are indoors from the start we can unload round the back of the Tank Story Hall, probably through the door behind Chieftain (a map can be seen on this thread: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=8020 ). But you will then have to move your car to the designated parking area. Bovington has also said that all this must be done in good time for opening up to the public at 8.30am, so don't be late !

The Events Team are being very accommodating, and it's always worth our while to keep in their good books, especially as we're also thinking of a beneficial pitch for TankFest in mid-September. So please play by their rules.

Any questions - please ask ! It's less than 3 days now

All the best,

Chris Hall
Stephen White

[Stephen White]

It's been a long time since Armortek models featured at a show. Tiger Day 2021 - thunder, lightning, a 3.30 am start for one but after a full English breakfast and the rain finally stopping, it was a fun experience and good to be back together again.

Chieftain and Centurion, the first MBT and its successor, one of the best.

[Chris Hall]

Well, it was nice to be back ..........

The weather wasn't great to start with:

But then it cheered up:

We had a few no-shows, but on the day there were 6 of us out, fielding the following models:

WW1 Mark IV Female
Centurion Mark 5/1
Chieftain
Tiger 1 (Early)
Cromwell
Sherman M4A3
M3 Grant 1
PAK 43/41

The running area was tight, but I managed to shoot a running video, which can be seen here:





The main objective was to show the new Bovington Events Team what we were offering (it's always a chore breaking in new staff ). This should put us in good stead for September's Model Show and Tankfest. So start thinking about it if you want to join us !

And finally, for the dedicated Tiger fans amongst you, here's a video of 131 started via the electric motor (or, perhaps, it's a clockwork tank after all )





Best wishes,

Chris

[Adrian Harris]

It was certainly good to get away from everything, get the tanks running, and to meet up with friends again.

Many thanks to Stephen and Chris for organising it.

The damp start was a worry but it cleared right on scheduled and turned into a decent afternoon. Good to see so many people at the Museum, even if it did mean I had to trudge across the arena to measure the bogies on "Harry".

Adrian.

[John Clarke]

Thanks guys for sharing.