August & September 2014

2–3 August

The Essex HMVA Military and Flying Machines Show

Hundreds of military vehicles from all eras and nationalities on show – from push bikes to massive trucks that even make the tanks look small! The tanks and armoured vehicles will be taking part in the tank and armoured vehicle parade. In addition, the show also features classic cars, bikes and buses.

More than 60 different living history groups will be taking part in reenactment events and public exhibitions. These historical re-enactors go to massive lengths to represent living history as accurately and authentically as possible and are always happy to answer your questions or demonstrate equipment so don’t be afraid to ask! This is an almost unique opportunity to see how the soldiers of different nationalities and time periods lived and to get close to the weapons, equipment and atmosphere of the time.

4 August

Bovington WWI Centenary Commemoration Event

The Bovington Tank Museum will be holding a special event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One. The event will include displays by the Great War Air Display Team, the Gordon Highlanders and Great War Society as well as a large-scale mock battle including the museum’s collection of still-running World War One tanks and replicas.

9–10 August

Wings and Wheels

This weekend show features a mix of past and modern equipment of land and air forces, an extensive militaria market, and static equipment shows. Armoured vehicles and vintage warbirds will be taking part in displays and fly-pasts. Historical reenactment groups will be staging mock battles and taking part in public displays.

9–10 August

Iola Vintage Military Show

The Iola Vintage Military Show promotes the conservation, preservation and display of historic military equipment. This event will share and invites the display of military history as an important role military veterans and their equipment have made for peace and freedom. The show grounds feature several reenactor encampments, where visitors can view living history displays and weapon demonstrations.

22–23 August

D-Day Conneaut

Held on the shores of Lake Erie, D-Day Conneaut is the largest D-Day renactment in the US. Numerous mock battles involving hundreds of reenactors are held over the course of the weekend, with amphibious vehicles, landing craft and tanks taking part in the show.

23–25 August

The Military Odyssey

With groups covering a vast period of global history, including Romans, Vikings, Medieval, the English Civil War, Napoleonic, the American Civil War, World Wars I & II, Vietnam right up to the present day. With over 4000 re-enactors and living history enthusiasts in attendance as well as over 90 stalls, Military Odyssey is one of the world’s largest multi-period reenactment shows.

5–7 September

The Victory Show

The Victory Show, now in its 9th year is a living history event focused on World War II. Held over a 100 acre site, the show hosts numerous historical societies and reenactments covering various forces from several eras and theatres during the period of 1939-45. From airmen to Infantry, the Victory Show opens a window in time to the 1940s.

14–22 September

Operation Market Garden Commemorations

Multiple events will be taking place along “Hell’s Highway” to mark the 70th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. including large-scale reenactments involving hundreds of vehicles and thousands of reenactors in period-correct uniforms. The vehicles will be following the route taken by British XXX Corps in 1944, and will be joined by reenactors parachuting from C-47 Dakotas along the route.

27–28 September

The Atlanta Warbird Weekend

This event, held by the Commemorative Air Force’s Dixie Wing, brings together warbirds from collections all over the US and Canada including a B-17 and numerous fighters. There will be Fly-pasts and aerobatic displays, as well as a chance to closely examine the aircraft on static display.