| Battlegroup North Report 2013 | |
| The annual Yorkshire MVT show at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, near York regularly attracts over 200 vehicles of all types and from all points of the compass. This year was no exception.
The record number of entries found that they had plenty of space to park and set up camp for the weekend. This year building works and insurer’s space requirements for ‘live’ aircraft gave us the opportunity to spread out at the eastern end of the runway and spread out we did.
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Within the museum the main hanger was still home to war gaming and related model stalls whilst outside along with all the static exhibits the Douglas DC3 Dakota and De Havilland DH 104 Devon were run up for the crowds whilst the fire crews standing by seemed well prepared for any eventuality. If you like aeroplanes there is plenty of variety in the museum. |
| We were treated to the BBMF Dakota on Saturday and the Lancaster flew over on Sunday lunchtime perhaps on its way back to base. Other run ups on the runway included the Buccaneer, Nimrod and Victor on both days – with plenty of noise to add to the atmosphere!
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| The only vehicles on show within the museum’s perimeter fence were lined up near the Helipad. Here was a real mixture of British vehicles, mainly soft skin. Nearby, and in splendid isolation, because of Health and Safety requirements in readiness for firing, stood a solitary 25pdr owned by Mike Peacock who took charge of the very loud blank firing demonstrations by 69th Field over the weekend. | |
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| For many atrocious weather marked the start of their weekend, but a much brighter day was to be had near York on Friday which was ideal to set up camp. Fortunately the showers on Saturday afternoon were short lived and it was a very pleasant by 4.00pm for the vehicle run to the former RAF base at nearby Melbourne enjoyed by 20 or so owners and marshalled by Tim Benton, with siren blaring as he sped along the convoy to the next road junction. During the war RAF Melbourne was home to 10 Squadron flying the famous Handley Page Halifax bomber. |
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One of those on the run who stood out from the crowd was Matteo Iannizzotto driving an ex East Germany army 4 door Gaz 69A.
Built in Russia in 1959 it carries the insignia of a Guards Regiment in the Soviet Army. He says that there is a ready availability of parts as they were made over a 20 yr period and like the Jeep over 600,000 were built. The power unit is a shortened copy of a wartime Dodge and a new engine from Poland is currently being rebuilt for him. |
| I am naturally drawn to Bedfords and so spotting a good looking OYD I had a chat with owner Keith Beckwith who had driven down from Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria. He has had the OY 4 years and has the disguised spacious back kitted out for camping.
Someone else from the North East in a 1945 GMC 353 with unusual markings was Dave Clough and his wife Weng. Dave is ex Royal Engineers and after rescuing the GMC from a scrap yard has decided to add insignia of 49 Field Park Regt RE attached to 1st Airborne Brigade. Apparently, after being a static exhibit at a Hartlepool Museum, it was sent for scrap as late as 2008. Dave learnt of this and decided on a very brave rescue of what he described as a complete wreck. All credit to him. |
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