Bovington Model Show, 19-20 February 2022

[Chris Hall]

Stephen White has, as usual, done all the spade work for this, so all we need now are people ! (and models, of course )

It's a good show, with models on display of all types and scales, and stalls selling books (new and second hand) and modelling equipment. And all within the Tank Museum ! The TM staff have kindly offered us a prime pitch in the centre of the Tank Story Hall, where we'll be able to run around to our heart's content. We are committed to do at least one talk to the public (which will be advertised), but we've done that before and it's pretty straightforward (and widely appreciated).

Depending on numbers, we'll definitely do Saturday, and Sunday if enough people wish.

As there's only 3 weeks to go, please let me know ASAP if you want to join us. I'll need your valid 2022 insurance (please PM me with a scan, or to ask for my email address) and an idea of what models you'll be bringing (Armortek only of course, although conversions are always welcome).

Hope to see you there !

Chris

[Richard Blight]

Looks like I might be coming down on the Saturday to meet up with a pal, so I shall pop along and see you all. Who’s going to be there?

Richard

[Stephen White]

Richard, there’ll be eight of us, based in the Tank Story Hall. I’ll explain why we don’t put names on here. Look forward to seeing you.

[Stephen White]

For those attending the Bovington Model Show on 19/20 Feb, here are the joining instructions. Slight change from previous years.

Unloading: our location will be in the Tank Story Hall. Access for unloading this year will be via the Museum Rear Gate on Bovington Road and then through the shutter door opposite the gate and then through the Education Room:

I'll be on site early to collect the passes, so please come straight to our display area, being in place before 0830. Coffee will be available and the restaurant will be open for exhibitors from 0800. After unloading, please remove your vehicle to the Exhibitors' Car Park on Lindsay Road:

Departure: The Show is open to the public 0900-1700. Loading and departure will be after 1700 on both days.

Covid Measures: The Museum is advising the wearing of masks inside the Museum. A one-way circulation will be in force. We also ask that you take a Lateral Flow test before attending.

Safety It's the first show of the new season. It would be helpful to re-read the Guidelines for Operation Models in Public,here:

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=6268

Smokers shouldn't be used in the Museum.

Public Engagement The Museum is keen to enhance their "Visitor Experience". Our free tickets come with an understanding that we'll engage with the public and during the day will put on a short talk/demonstration. We'll agree timings on the day. It won't involve more than Chris and I (and anyone else willing to contribute) giving a very short talk about the models and then running them together for the public. In addition, it would be good if you could prepare a basic display board for your model(s) with basic details of the model and the original AFV.

It's the first show of a new season which we all hope will be entertaining, enjoyable and much more relaxed than the Covid years. See you there....

[Chris Hall]

I've had a question about the terrible weather (Storm Eunice) that's expected to cause turmoil this weekend, which I've put to the Tank Museum.

They don't seem to have any contingency for this They will try and keep the unloading points open as long as possible, but they are still expecting huge swathes of General Public at 9am sharp, and public safety is the overriding priority. So all entry points for traders will be shut at that time.

If you arrive late, their only suggestion is to ring the Tank Museum, and they will try and get you in if they consider it safe to do so. Not exactly satisfactory. So I can only suggest, to those booked in, that you leave home a bit earlier and try and allow as much contingency as possible for your journey.

Stay safe, people ! And I look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Steve Stuart]

Thank you Chris for asking the question. I was planning an early start on Saturday morning.....
Hopefully it will not be as grim as predicted. Steve

[Armortek]

Those of you going to the Model Show will be able to see our Hetzer running around.

Hope you all have a good show and the storm is a thing of the past by then.

[Chris Hall]

Well, despite Storm Eunice and chaos at the unloading point (as everyone left home early, but arrived at the same time ! ) we had a very good day. After the last couple of years, it was just so nice to get together, display and run our toys to an appreciative public, and just 'chew the fat' again. The sense of humour hasn't suffered, at least .

Thanks to all the 'usual suspects' who showed up, bringing an impressive lineup of Armortek's Finest. And to Kian for loaning us the factory Hetzer, which attracted lots of interest.

Some pictures:

And, as Peter brought his JagdTiger all the way from Germany, it was too good an opportunity to miss to run it around to the Real Thing for a photoshoot (what the paparazzi call the 'money shot'):

Real Life returns ! Tiger Days, TankFest ....... it's all back on.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Stephen White]

Can I echo all that Chris said and thank Kian for your support? Some more pics, the bottom half from screenshots of video. The Tank Museum asked us to sing for our supper. Our short show attracted a decent sized crowd. Much interest in the Hetzer, we'll see if any results in sales. Congratulations to the Team who made it through storms and mud to get to the Museum in time for breakfast.

[Adrian Harris]

Thanks to Chris and Stephen for the organisation. A good show and well attended by the public.

Sunday was busy too, though there seemed to be fewer traders than on Saturday.

With the wind assistance I probably managed about 75mpg from the van on the way home

Adrian.

[Peter Quambusch]

Hello Guys, Sorry for the late upload, but when I came home on Monday afternoon, the storm had blown a hole into the roof of my hose... That needed fixing first.
Thanks to all for their warm welcome and the good conversations!! Felt realy good after such a long pause...

Here are some pics I took: