This weekend, B&E Boys proudly took part in Operation Market Harborough, a fantastic weekend celebrating military vehicles, living history displays, and the people behind them. Held annually in Leicestershire, this event brings together passionate collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts to preserve and showcase the machines and memories of military service.
This year’s show was a huge success, attracting tens of thousands of visitors who had the rare opportunity to see vintage tanks, armoured vehicles, and reconstructed military scenes up close. As always, the atmosphere was buzzing with a mix of education, nostalgia, and great conversations; and of course, plenty of mud!
We were delighted to display our fully restored 1978 air-defence Flakpanzer Gepard tank alongside the brilliant Buggs Bar, custom-built from reclaimed Gepard tank parts. These were both crowd favourites and a real testament to the talent and dedication of everyone involved. We were amazed at how many World of Tanks players were instantly able to identify the tank!
Events like this wouldn’t be possible without the help and generosity of so many, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us. We’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to Northern Whisper for their continued sponsorship and backing. Thanks also go to Buckhurst Plant Hire, who took care of moving both the tank and Buggs Bar to and from the event, and to Rossendale Sheet Metal for their exceptional work creating the bar itself. We’re also grateful to the amazing team who gave up their weekend to be on-site, engaging with visitors and keeping everything running smoothly.
Our thanks extend to the show organisers, including Seb Brady, Mick Crook, Joe Hewes, and Christian Baker of Midland Military Vehicles, for putting together such a well-run and memorable event. Their hard work and vision brought together an impressive collection of vehicles and displays, and the whole weekend ran with professionalism and heart.
And not least, we owe a special thanks to Warwick Boulton, whose expertise, passion, and painstaking restoration work bring these wartime machines back to life. Warwick is held in the highest regard across the community, and without dedicated individuals like him, these vehicles simply wouldn’t be here for future generations to appreciate.
While the event is a fun and educational day out, it’s important to remember the very serious nature of the vehicles on display – machines built for war and to defend our Country, and operated by men and women who made immense personal sacrifices in the name of freedom and peace.
That’s why we chose to support SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity. SSAFA provides lifelong support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families, helping them rebuild their lives well beyond active duty. We’re proud to contribute to such a vital cause. If you’d like to support our fundraiser, you can do so here.
To our team, to everyone who stopped by, and to the many other events and organisations working to preserve military history, thank you. Most of all, we send our ongoing gratitude to all who serve, or have served, in our Armed Forces. Your courage and commitment do not go unnoticed.
