Tankfest 2011 – The Most Explosive Weekend In History!

[DAS MEDIC]

looks as if this is going to be amazing, having dioramas set out without the ropes of individual groups will give a realistic view of the living history, a working environment rather than similar displays, all be them very good in their own right to see a broad spectrum of groups working together will be great

[Hoffman Grink]

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

[DAS MEDIC]

happy to support you pd and the team involved in making this show one to remember,
micky is sharpening her scissors


i am looking for a micky mouse

[pepperpot]

as i will be there just a quick question (cant see answer in previous posts) who's the section 5?
graham

[Hoffman Grink]

The Theme has been announced.
http://www.tankmuseum.org/ixbin/indexpl ... and_events
Rather apt I'd say.

[DAS MEDIC]

looks good...

where we gonna park the 109

looking forwards to it

[Reich Crispies]

where we gonna park the 109

Do you want a 109?

[the 4th reich]

BooHoo No SS lol

[Reinhard]

Evening All,
First of all many thanks guys for registration forms that have been recieved, the support for this event is appreciated. For those wanting to attend but have not appiled yet please drop us a line titled "Tankfest Registration" to tankfest@afra.org.uk. The sooner that we get these forms completed and returned to us the quicker we can start planning the Living History Field.....Thanks again.


Rich (AFRA)

[Reinhard]

More information for all those attending
There will be a Genuine 40s Hairdresser available to give all participation re-enactors a FREE haircut or if needed a pincurl or roll! Genuine German Red Cross Nurse will be operating from a Soldatenheim and First Aid post so book your slot early! Finish off your impression with a real, 1940s Short back and sides.
Rich (AFRA)

[barnaclebill]

Looking good, well done all involved.

[pepperpot]

sorry to post this again, who is the sec 5 for weapon hire?
graham

[Hoffman Grink]

sorry to post this again, who is the sec 5 for weapon hire?
graham

I thought you had your own Graham?

[Reinhard]

Evening all
Small update, we now have confirmed for this event a US field kitchen. If any groups out there have either a British or German field kitchen and they would like to be a part of the expanding living history field please get in touch either by pm'ing me on here or by e-mailing tankfest@afra.org.uk with field kitchen as the title and we can provide more details about what we have to offer
Rich

[Reinhard]

TANKFEST REGISTRATION FORMS.
So far we have sent out nearly 30 forms for Registration at TankFest 2011. The response has been fantastic so thank you for that. We still have room for you if you wish to come and display. Looking for British, US, Soviet, German in fact any good, interesting portrayals who think they could add to the overall enjoyment of the weekend. We have post WWII displays booked in and are keen still to hear from Home Fronters wishing to set up an area of their own. There hasn’t been a great deal of interest in the dedicated women’s area and if that doesn’t pick up over the next couple of weeks we will be devoting the resources set aside for it to another area. If you want to come or have questions – email us at tankfest@afra.org.uk and we will do our utmost to be of service.

Now – the crux of the post. Of the 28 forms so far emailed out – we have received SIX back! And in order to plan the field effectively and make best use of space – we need your forms in very quickly please. If you received a form (and we know some of you did several weeks ago) then please fill it in with as much information as possible and return it. There is a cut off date if you look and any forms sent after that will not be included – sorry. This promises to be the best Tankfest yet and if you all turn up it will be something special. We want you there and we want you to have an enjoyable weekend at a unique event. There are some surprises in store and it would be nice to be able to say “I was there”. And of course we wouldn’t want you to miss them – especially if your primary interest is WWII..............

Return those forms please – by this weekend if you can. The field is being laid out and we want as many of you in the right places as possible.....