About the Show

History

After a number of successful previous years at Tilbury Fort, we were dealt a severe blow, when, due to the declining condition of the Tilbury Fort site, English Heritage were unable to allow us to continue to host our show there. After a short period of moving venues we held our first small scale Essex MVT area show in 2006 at Damyns Hall, with just a dozen vehicles.

The show has gained in popularity and size, growing to a public event which now plays host to over 300 vehicles with over 15,000 visitors. This gives us the opportunity to show the public our vehicles and what we do for our community. To secure the future success of further shows, a new independent Charity, the 'Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association' was formed early in 2014. Due to the massive amount of work involved in getting started up again, we decided that (at least for the foreseeable future) we would go back to making the show a 2 day public event, giving our volunteer show team more time. Being a charity, the Military and Flying machines show is also the Essex HMVA's main fundraising event.

This year’s show

As always, we will have hundreds of military vehicles across all eras and nationalities - from push bikes to massive trucks that even make the tanks look small! The tanks and armoured vehicles will be taking part in the awesome and well renowned tank and armoured vehicle parade in addition, We also have a fantastic turn out of classic cars, bikes and buses.

We have an amazing turn out of living history displays with over 60 groups and nearly a thousand living history displays, depicting military life from many periods and nationalities. 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.

There will be Arena activities taking place all day, with vehicle parades where you can see the historic vehicles in motion. The Tank parade allows you to get close with a convoy of tanks and armoured vehicles, see and hear them roaring around the arena and learn a little about their history. As always, there will be our very loud battles and fire power demonstrations and don't forget to join in the kids marching drill.

There's so much more for the kids to get involved in, as well as all the stuff to watch, there's also the vintage fair ground, model making and many activities. What better way is there for the younger generation to learn about our history than to hear about it from those who made it - our wonderful veterans that are always happy to tell their own story. Back by popular demand will be our wonderful live 'wartime' entertainment in our huge marquee all day, including music and a 40s fashion show.

To add to all the on the ground exhibits to see, we also have the added advantage of our show site being an airfield, which means we can feature full flying displays with guest aircraft such as the 'Sally B' and The 'Battle of Britain Memorial Flight'.

Where else would you be able to get up close and personal to your past?