UPDATE 12 Jan 2011
Halfway through January and already 27 groups and more than a few individuals have expressed serious interest in attending this prestigious event. We want to thank everyone who has contacted us and also let you know how blown away we are at the support.
Excluding The Great War and Post War Conflicts, the WWII component of this show is now being assembled into a timeline and theatres of operation. Already we have the capability to portray both sides of the Fall of France, Barbarossa, Pacific Theatre, Mediterranean/Italian Theatre, North Africa, Far East and of course NW Europe. A special area will comprise of Home Front Displays, Women’s Armed Services of both Allied and Axis Forces and social and industrial aspects of the conflict. Displays are to consist of individual group portrayals as well as combined efforts resulting in large, impressive dioramas. If you can put aside rivalries and petty politics – we want to hear from you with a view to you working alongside some more of the finest Living Historians in the UK. We have Field Kitchens, Hospitals, Armourers, Motor Pools, Combat Displays and loads more planned. We want bodies to staff them. Good, enthusiastic, friendly and flexible bodies. If you have valid PLI and the right kit we want to hear from you.
A timetable of events for the Living History Arena is shaping up very well with groups and individuals contributing some fresh and vibrant ideas to fill the day. A marvellous commentator has been engaged who is himself a re-enactor as well as a professional voice artist and actor. His delivery and professional attitude combined with his knowledge and understanding of the hobby will certainly enhance your presentations.
The main event for us is the battle which is still in planning but promises to be different from any seen at Tankfest so far. It will represent a real action relevant to the Museum in some way and should entertain, amaze and astound the crowd. The intention is to leave them with a lasting, positive image of the event and give the re-enactors taking part another benchmark that they are proud to have been a part of. This display is restricted in numbers due to the constraints of the arena and the practicality of vehicle movement around people in a hazardous environment. Vehicles involved are set to break new ground with up to 6 tanks and many other armoured vehicles involved. Bovington has never seen pyrotechnics on this scale and the usual AFRA pyro team is busy working with a leading manufacturer to introduce something visually stirring. Our armourer is booked and will be providing Section 5 weapons and blank ammunition for both the battle and LH Arena under the usual strict supervision.
We have Great War Groups in talks as well as French Algerian, Korean and Vietnam era displays. The Alvis Fighting Vehicle Society is bringing some amazing and unique examples of CVRT and many more support vehicles are pledged. We would like to hear from people who have good, substantial impressions up to 1985. We want to hear from Female Re-enactors who wish to be part of a set of large combined Women’s War displays – These will cover Allied Signals and Planning Staff, Nursing, Land Army, NAAFI, ARC, Munitions Workers. Axis Signals, Nursing, Winterhilfswerk, Soldatenheim and whatever else we can incorporate.
Unlike conventional events, Tankfest is looking to give people new opportunities. If you want to come and be a wounded patient – If you want to carry food to the frontline – If you want to don coveralls and staff our vehicle park as a mechanic – Anything really – we want more than gun totin’ bandidos...... we want a balanced picture of the 1940s. Contact us and tell us what you can do. We need a good attitude and the right kit. If you need PLI we can sort that out – Tankfest is now open. They may not want SS uniforms at this one but the people who usually wear them are good people – we can use you in another role for sure.
TANKFEST 2011 is set to surpass all other Tankfests. The Museum is one of the friendliest and most accommodation venues we have to date worked with and the relationship we are developing is one based on trust and respect. Ideas are being passed back and forth and developed quickly and to the benefit of all involved. Our main aim is to provide the visiting public with the best possible experience and working in partnership with the museum and our many friends in this hobby – it seems this is just what we are going to do. There is no “I” in team – and together we are proving it.
If you want to know more or enquire about attending – email us at
tankfest@afra.org.uk_________________
Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness
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