Sunday was Fathers Day in the UK and as a treat the whole family went to Duxford for the Military Vehicle Show. My eldest daughter has been knee deep in exams for the past few months so this was the first time in ages she was able to accompany us on a day out. She may be 17 but I do miss having both my kids around when we go out for the day, so yesterday was a particular treat for me. Of course being able to 'get my geek out' also made the day great fun and - as well as shooting several hundred pictures - I was also able to buy some really good reference books for my North Africa Project (more on that in a post later in the week).
Here's a small selection of pictures from the show. If you get a chance to go to this next year I heartily recommend it.
 |
| Parachute supply cannisters - These were the actual props used in the film A Bridge too Far. |
 |
| A selection of weapons used by British Airborne Forces including a PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank). |
 |
| An American made British designed 57mm Anti Tank Gun. This example first saw service in Normandy in 1944 and was recovered from Kosovo in 1996 where it was still being used! |
 |
| The Breech and Sights of the 57mm |
 |
| A selection of shells for the 57mm Gun |
 |
| Inside the American Air Museum there were a dozen or more book dealers selling items from as little as £5 up to £1500 for a signed 1st Edition of a book by Winston Churchill. |
 |
| The Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicle Association had a large marquee. They were having a National Competition so there were plenty of examples of stunning painted models on display. MAFVA Nationals. |
 |
| Outside next to the American Air Museum there were over a hundred classic military vehicles on display. |
 |
| In the afternoon visitors were treated to a view of these classic military vehicles taking a spin around the airfield. |
 |
| Pontiac Delux Six - US Army Staff Car c1940 |
 |
| Even the Home Guard were in on the action |
 |
| Greyhound Armoured Car |
 |
| A WWII German S-Mine. This type of anti-personnel mine was used in vast numbers in the Western Desert. |
 |
| A cut-away of a German Teller Mine. These were used throughout the war in different types, including a Bakelite version that was 'invisible' to mine detection equipment. |
 |
| A Family shot next to the Sally B at the end of the day. |
Fortunately for us the weather held off (it had been forecast to rain) and we were able to get around the whole site and all the vehicles and traders before exhaustion set in! I came home with yet more books to aid my North Africa Project and plenty of pictures to keep me happy and busy for ages to come. We all had a good time together and I had a really great Fathers Day.
Thanks for the photo report.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like a great day out.
Tony
Looks like an amazing show!
ReplyDeleteAs for AT gun being used in Kosovo, this isn't as surprising as it may seem - Yugoslav army has inherited a lot of excess US equipment after the war (it was cheaper to donate them than ship them back home). I can't find any useful info about it atm, but I know that Yugoslavia got almost 600 shermans that were mostly used for target practicing because they've used up too much petrol. I am pretty sure I saw M47 patton or some other post war tank model used in Slovenia in 1991 as well. I guess those obsolete AT guns were used by territorial units in less developed states.
I knew that the Yugoslavs got a load of US Shermans after the war. There's a scene in Kelly Heroes where a convoy of Sherman's roars past, and they were all 'borrowed' from the Yugoslav Army for the film.
DeleteNice show and cool pictures!
ReplyDeleteOne spelling error: *breech.
Well spotted! Ok Corrected that now, thanks.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAh, sorry to mess up your comments :D.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit late now, but you might find that interesting. Here is a picture of what appears to be M-36, presumably used in Slovenia in 1991
http://shrani.si/f/1P/a4/1uHGyuwe/5145b1b436534923986cfe00.jpg