War and Peace Show July 18th to 22nd 2012

[Mark Tuson]

I,ve just got back after 3 days there, and I think it was the best one I've been to in the last 6 years, apart from the mud. The weather turned out fine, and the Battle re-enactment yesterday was quality, especially with the Spitfire flyby right at the end of the afternoon one.
Can't wait for next years already.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, we got home this afternoon after being at the show from 9am Thursday. We arrived to find the mud bad on the roads but passable on foot. But since then everywhere had dried out nice, leaving a dry surface but still soft under foot. So fine to walk on.

We had a great time! We were camped along with some comrades from Russia. They had driven over from Moscow bringing a rare GAZ AA truck with them. Thier singing and musical skills really made the show for us. Their trip was being filmed by Russian TV. Had a great road run in the GAZ around Paddock Wood. Last night we all rode the T34/85 around the site.

Kit wise, I was busy buying some great new gear from a new friend Oleg, from the Ukraine, who makes fantastic quailty repro RKKA uniform. Could have spent a small fortune with him!

Had a lot of 3am late nights or is that early mornings? So an early night is due tonight.

Nice to meet several forum members, sorry I could not meet up with you all.

Cheers, Ade.

[lew07]

Further to My above post Im glad to to hear positive comments on the W & P Show.For the last few years I have heard remarks about this show and the one in Detling dying a slow death. Over inflated prices,instances of theft, even one concerning some foreign dealers being harangued by another foreign dealer over his ancestors behaviour during The War! Hope a good time was had by all and with luck will make it next year!

[Adrian Stevenson]

I have done Beltring for 20 years now.

I hear the same comments each year to be honest? Yes, prices are geting crazy and that is reflected there like everywhere else. But dealers on the whole now rely on collectors for their stock and so asking prices are a vicious circle. Collectors want top prices for their kit. Fuel and entry costs add to this. Good stuff is getting hard to find. My wife saw nothing of interest ATS wise. I have bought much more in previous years. There is better stuff available online. But there you can look and touch and increase you knowledge that way.

But I now got to (all) shows to meet and socialise and have fun. Networking is the name of the game. Buying for me is a secondary concern.

Beer was £3.50 a pint. The toilets were poor as usual. No hand basin water or soap. Only the main toilets were OK. But this is par for the course at this show. Theft is always an issue. One dealer friend lost a matching K98 bayonet, while another had the liner taken from of a Brit MKIV helmet.

Money was changing hands. One friend and forum members made some nice buys. Had I had more money I would have spent much more.

Cheers, Ade.

[spandau]

Hi

I did two days at the show just shopping. Got some really good buys and although the usual jaw dropping prices were there you don't hav eto buy !

Great show and really nice to meet up with people who I only see once a year from all over the globe.

cheers

tony

- - Updated - -

ADE,

wish I'd got the chance to see the Russians, that sounded like fun.

- - Updated - -

will you be at Detling...military oddessy ?

[Woolgar]

Will you be sharing pics please guys ?

Nick

[Adrian Stevenson]

Sadly I took none as my camera is on the blink. But I should have some from our comrades to share.

To get a taste of the show:

Sarah Dawson

My Russian friends can be seen, and some old familiar faces from ello, ello...

Cheers, Ade

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Tony, yes, I will be at Detling as per usual.

Hi Guys, here is a link, via Facebook, to a video of the Russian lads from our display entertaining the crowd:

Balalaika player Beltring 2012` | Facebook

Cheers, Ade.

[mpw]

Thanks for the links, really good photos. I went on the Thursday and had a fantastic time. Bought far to much and as I went by motorcycle I got some strange looks going home with a relic K98 and wood strapped to the back. Next year I will make the effort and spend an evening there as the atmosphere must be brilliant.

Mark.

[Dave8472]

This was my first visit to this event on Sunday, and had a great day out, could have spent a fortune on the stuff there, came home with just a 20mm round to add to my ordnance collection, can't wait until next year now

Dave