Only partly OT - Military Odyssey

Sep 10, 2003 13 Replies

With about a thousand of my ilk, I'm off to the Military Odyssey show at Detling, Kent this weekend. Not where one might normally expect to find stationary engines, but I've noticed an ever increasing number turning up in odd corners, usually as part of displays featuring field radio equipment..



These, of course, are right up my street these days, but they are not alone and I have spotted a complete Petter PU8 busily whirring away and there are other older things around occasionally.



Aside from the occasional engine, there is an HUGE nostalgia sale, lots of military things, naturally, but a huge range of stuff from an album of photos from pre-war Germany to binoculars and shooting sticks. I even found a combustion chamber from a Pegasus jet engine! There are also many of the ex WD traders you find at our shows, too.



The place is stuffed tight with military vehicles of every shape, size type and description.



There are battle re-enactments going on all the time in two arenas .



It's at the Kent County showground and I think it's a brilliant day out.



Usual disclaimers .......



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Regards,



Kim Siddorn



I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me than a free frontal lobotomy!


Military radio and radar equipment, together with the power sources for same, are also right up my street. I *will* get there one year but it is a shame that it always clashes with Barleylands, one of the must visit rallies of the year.

Ps. Are you 'in character' for the whole weekend Kim? If so it must make a strange sight to see a viking rummaging through stalls full of WWII kit!

I too would like to pay show this a visit, but like Nick, I am going to Barlylands.

Nick, are you exhibiting or visiting?

Helen and I will be a members of the paying public as usual.

I will be on the engine line, please look me up (so that I can be another on the group to vouch for your existence).

We do of course wander round the show at various times but hopefully we will catch up with each other.

Some details for Barleylands for the rest of us would be useful....

Kind regards,

Peter

Peter Forbes Prepair Ltd Luton, UK email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk home: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

Found it on the NTET site:

13-14 Essex Steam & Country Show. Barleylands Farm, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex. Mrs.J.Philpot. Barleylands Farm, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex. CM11 2UD Tel;01268 532253 e;mail snipped-for-privacy@barleylandsfarm.co.uk 90 Engines. *SAC

Kind regards,

Peter

Peter Forbes Prepair Ltd Luton, UK email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk home: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

Suprised you've not been before. Engine display is usually good (is it really only 90?), heavy horses, steam ploughing, tractors, reaper-binders, old combines etc etc and an excellent food hall. Not much in the way of engine related junk stalls though.

No. I do the PA at events so am usually in civvies.

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me than a free frontal lobotomy!

In article , kingsnavy writes

I thought there were usually more than that, BICBW; the engine line is indeed very good at Barleylands. I particularly liked the large, very early, slow-running Australian horizontal hit-and-miss paraffin engine ('Star' I believe the make was) which put in an appearance, the year before last IIRC. I'm often drawn to an engine as much by its sound as by anything else, and the Star, with its very slow, 'laid-back' running, was very easy on the ears.

Ah yes; the food hall :-) Excellent it is indeed; I hope to get some venison there on Saturday, and perhaps some smoked Wensleydale too. I hope the New Forest Cider man is there too; his Kingston Black is very tasty, I find.

ISTR seeing mainly tools, clothing, and plastic toys of various types on sale last time I wandered round that area; I rarely buy anything at Barleylands except for food and drink...

Likewise.

Regards, Andrew.

My society (Regia Anglorum) has the big Living History exhibit, first on the left after you come in the gate: ask anyone in costume on that site where I am. Alternatively, look in the programme to see when we are in which arena ;o)) - I'm on the PA.

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me than a free frontal lobotomy!

reaper-binders,

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