Every year in July Battlegroup South host a splendid wargames show at the Bovington Tank Museum. This year the show overlaps with the excellent "Bossfest" run by Scott from Boss Minis. Now in it's fourth year, Bossfest actually actually runs from Thursday to Sunday. Basically a group of easy-going, like-minded wargamers camp in a woodland clearing and play a wide variety of wargames and boardgames in the huge marquees. In the evening there's music, a camp fire and (to be frank) quite a lot of beer and cider too!
The weather this year made the event a real treat. The secluded location really makes you feel like you're getting away from it all.
Colin kindly let me share his tent. It's an "air bridge" tent - basically the traditional poles are replaced by air filled beams that give the tent it's rigid structure. Peg it out, pump it up then bang in the guy ropes.
The show is a two day affair, Saturday and Sunday, however the organisers were able to let us in on Friday evening to get the stall set up. Chums Kevin and Kevin joined in too.
Setting the stall was completed in record time. So back to camp for pizza and cider!
Saturday morning dawned bright and clear so Scott cranked up the barbie and provided with hearty bacon sandwiches before Colin and I headed for Bovington. Since the stall was all set we had time to wander around the museum and chat to the traders. I really enjoy this bit, catching up with chaps I haven't seen since the last show (Penarth, January for me).
During a lull in trading I had a quick tour of some of the games on display.
Walking around the museum before it opened I turned a corner and was immediately confronted by this Panther tank. It's a proper beast of a machine!
The show opened at 10am so just time for a quick pic.
A few more games...
Back to the tanks...
My thanks to Colin for letting me join in the fun! After a busy week or two I wasn't feeling 100% but this was exactly what I needed. Cheers buddy! Thanks also to Scott for Bossfest (and your lovely wife for providing us with a yummy lunch). Top events and excellent company, already looking forward to next year.
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| What a beautiful place to camp and play wargames! |
The weather this year made the event a real treat. The secluded location really makes you feel like you're getting away from it all.
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| Charlie Foxtrot does "glamping" ;o) |
Colin kindly let me share his tent. It's an "air bridge" tent - basically the traditional poles are replaced by air filled beams that give the tent it's rigid structure. Peg it out, pump it up then bang in the guy ropes.
The show is a two day affair, Saturday and Sunday, however the organisers were able to let us in on Friday evening to get the stall set up. Chums Kevin and Kevin joined in too.
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| Three-quarters of the Charlie Foxtrot dream team! |
Setting the stall was completed in record time. So back to camp for pizza and cider!
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| Friday evening ... Men and fire! :-D |
Saturday morning dawned bright and clear so Scott cranked up the barbie and provided with hearty bacon sandwiches before Colin and I headed for Bovington. Since the stall was all set we had time to wander around the museum and chat to the traders. I really enjoy this bit, catching up with chaps I haven't seen since the last show (Penarth, January for me).
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| What a Tanker! |
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| What a(nother) Tanker! |
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| 'nuff said ;o) |
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| I wondered if this camo pattern was authentic? |
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| Sherman and a Crusader |
During a lull in trading I had a quick tour of some of the games on display.
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| The Old Pikeys put on this wonderful looking game |
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| The artificial lighting meant taking decent pics was a little tricky |
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| Nice village! Foundry resin I think. |
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| Plenty of AT here! |
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| Fearsome AA firepower! |
Walking around the museum before it opened I turned a corner and was immediately confronted by this Panther tank. It's a proper beast of a machine!
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| Very imposing! |
The show opened at 10am so just time for a quick pic.
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| Cheese! |
A few more games...
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| A nice looking Star Wars game. Can you spot Darth Vader? |
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| The lads from Penarth put on this ace WotR encounter |
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| Battlegroup South's small but excellent Stalingrad table |
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| This Bolt Action game looked really good fun |
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| Must have a game of What a Tanker at Bovington! |
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| Another WotR game using the Swordpoint rules |
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| Lovely painting. Like the furry table too. |
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| Pike & Shotte - The Battle of Khalenburg 1683 |
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| The flags and pennants look ace |
Back to the tanks...
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| A Sherman DD with skirts up ... must have been terrifying! |
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| That's an impressive gun on the Firefly |
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| A trusty Cromwell |
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| Ooooh! Ooooh! |
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| My personal favourite |
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| An absolute monster! |
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| SdKfz 233 - just for Orange Dave |
My thanks to Colin for letting me join in the fun! After a busy week or two I wasn't feeling 100% but this was exactly what I needed. Cheers buddy! Thanks also to Scott for Bossfest (and your lovely wife for providing us with a yummy lunch). Top events and excellent company, already looking forward to next year.
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