It was an early start for Blenheim and a trip into the unknown, as this was our first time at the show and we had no idea what to expect.

We arrived into the chaos that was the morning and immediately hit a problem, there was no practical way to get our sailing fleet to the water as the maps failed to show the hundred foot slope down to the water, or the reed bank that runs all round the edge of the lake

The decision was made not to run the Trafalgar display but instead we set up a static display at the top of the hill opposite the Aircraft and Tank Clubs. The two 'Johns' and helpers set off with the Sit in Battleships to find a place to launch, the rest of us set about organising a Tank Battle so at least some sort of display would take place.

   
 
 

   
   
     
The Tank Display was well received but did suffer a few problems, first off was the grass, we have run this display many times on grass without any difficulties, but the grass on the slope was so strong it nearly disabled the Allied tank force before it had chance to attack the village. The good thing was that the Sit in Battleships had managed to find a place to launch and had made it to our part of the lake just in time to bombard the Church with the Tiger Tank inside it. The down side was the Church exploded but failed to collapse, but luckily Alan who was commentating walked over to the Church and kicked it and got us a laugh, a round of applause and our ending.
                       
 
     
    Long Day

The Sit in Battleships found a place where they could launch one mile away on the other half of the lake, this meant they had to get a move on if the one o'clock deadline for the Display was to be met.

Some how they managed it, and as we neared time for the display the wonderful sight of the two battleships passing under the bridge was a very welcomed indeed.

The Battleships fired their first salvo of shots to end the Tank display, and then went into manoeuvres ready for the next part. The Sit in Battleship display went well, with John and Mark at the controls of the models, and Alan on the PA System the only thing left to do was thank the crowd and make our way home at the end of a very, very long day.