My '44 Flying Control Dodge

[armyairforce]

First Run Out of the Year - February 3rd, 2024

The Dodge hasn't run or moved since the Historic Quay event at the end of September. While it felt mild today, it wasn't warm. As with the Jeep in the morning, I began with a fan heater under the sump to pre-heat the oil. After that, I turned the engine over several times, to get some oil moving around the engine. Once I felt I'd moved enough oil, the carb was primed and I went for the start. Oil pressure was up straight away.

I pulled out of the garage and let the Dodge warm up on the drive before going for a drive. There wasn't much fuel in the Dodge, so this drive was only a couple of miles around a lane that loops around the village.



I stopped a couple of times for some photos, then returned home and tucked it back up in the garage again. Springtime servicing can wait until the weather warms up.

[2ad82recon]

She’s still looking great Steve

Keep her rolling

Regards

Lloyd

[armyairforce]

Blyth Battery Goes to War - May 18/19th

I've already had several Jeep events this year, but Blyth Battery was the first show for the Dodge. It was warm and sunny as I packed the Dodge and was a nice drive North until I turned East for the coast, at which point I drove into the sea mist and the temperature dropped.



Visibility was very poor with the sea not even visible from the gun emplacements. It wasn't raining however and I got the tent set up without getting wet. By late evening, torch light was showing the density of the mist as a strong beam of light.

[armyairforce]

The following morning, the mist hung around until a little after noon, but did clear to give some blue sky and sun. Many of my photos were taken on Saturday morning during my first wander around the site and so have a dull sky.



Last year was the biggest event I'd seen there, but 2024 saw an increase in the number of displays and vehicles on show. I've added a selection of general views of the displays, but there were so many artifacts on show from many different aspects of World War 1 and 2.

[armyairforce]

These sunny pictures of the battery were taken late afternoon on Saturday. As time moved further into the evening, the mist returned and the wind picked up, from the North, so the temperature dropped further. I shut myself in my tent with the gas heater on and read a book on an RAF bomber pilot.

One of the gun emplacements with replica gun.



The World War 1 battery observation post and ranging tower.

[armyairforce]

There was a battle at noon on each day of the show. On Saturday, I put the long lens on my camera and took photos, while on Sunday, I shot a video on my phone, shown below.





A short video of the battle on Sunday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAE_NPX597Q

[armyairforce]

The displays were located from the Searchlight Battery to the North, to the dunes to the South of the Gun Battery. Most of the Allied World War 2 displays were on the main field to the North of the Gun Battery. Some post war and the WW1 Royal Flying Corps display was by the Searchlight Battery. They are building a fullsize Sopwith Tabloid biplane.



All the German displays were to the South of the Gun Battery. Behind the battery, there were several classic cars, plus a gazebo for live music entertainment.



During Sunday afternoon, I got the tent packed away dry and everything loaded into the trailer, ready to go at the end of the show. The show closed at 4pm and I made my exit shortly after. It took a little over an hour to get home and then a couple more to dismantle the truck canvas and pack everything away in the garage and house. All done for just a few more days, then back out for the next show!

More pictures of Blyth can be found on my website - https://www.sacarr.co.uk/mymvs/events/2024/blyth.htm