Eastern Counties Vintage Tractor & Heritage Spectacular 2012 Report

Setting off at 5am on Saturday morning I took a 250 mile journey across to Norfolk for the Eastern Counties Vintage Tractor and Heritage Spectacular. I was hoping that the event would live up to its title. Arriving at 10am, after picking up an Atco JAP engine and some illuminated pram signs from a lovely gentleman in Mildenhall, I took my sketchbook and pen and wondered round the show. Well it was an incredible display for the shows first year; 4 halls brimming with a huge amount of tractors and machinery, Dancing Double Doe Tractors, rare breeds and a field full of stationary engines. I was there for the whole weekend and I'm sure I didn't take it all in as there was so much to see. Anyway here's what I do remember.

1927 Cateapillar Sixty

(digitally painted ink sketch)

Henry J Kaiser commissioned 5 of these huge Cateapillar SIXTY Tractors to build the Hoover Dam in 1927. Initially these tractors ran on petrol but it turned out a bit expensive so they changed them over to a diesel engine. This is the only one left in existence. Roger Desborough pulled the crowds everytime he filled it up with compressed air in order to start it. It was certainly made an impressive sound as the engine fired up.

1913 Case 20-40

(digitally painted ink sketch)

Owned by Mick Patrick and kept in lovely original condition. Just the way I like to see these early pioneering tractors.

1925 Case 18-32 Crossmount

(digitally painted ink sketch)

Only 2300 of these were built over a 2 year period. This example was bought via John Stephenson who found the tractor in Canada. Currently owned by Peter Goddard & Danny Rice of Market Weston. The gleaming silver whistle on top is a real rarity.

1938 Fordson Model N Rowcrop

(digitally painted ink sketch)

This fine example spent it's working life in the Vale of Evesham. It was then sold at the July 2000 Doug Brian sale in Worcester to the late Buzzy Bush who started the restoration. Acquired by current owner Will Hill in June 2002 from Buzzy's sale.

1966 John Deere 4020 Diesel

(digitally painted ink sketch)

1905 Heinrici Hot Air Engine and Gas Plant

(digitally painted ink sketch)

Last but by no means least is this splendid stationary engine. Powered by hot air this was originally used to create gas that was then used to power the lighting at Gunton Hall Park. Thanks to the owner and operator Gerry Barber and his wife for the kind hospitality and warm cup of tea that kept me sketching in the cold wind on Saturday.

1929 (approx) Minneapolis 27 - 42 crossmount

1928 Peterbro

There was a turnout of 4 Peterbros on display, and with only 8 left that's pretty good going.

1925 Peterbro model 30

The Peterbro lineup

1918 LDV Ford Roller

I love the steering position on this.

1921 Austin English

1917 Moline Universal Model B

1919 Fordson Model F (28hp)

Owned by Terry Loyd (Lord of the Manor), Hainford.

Hart Parr model 30

1942 - 43 Fordson Standard with Rotor Drainer

1950 Deutz Fil 514/50

Unimog

1952 Allgaier R22

1961 Nuffield DM4 with a 1956 Reid and Gray Plough

1958 David Brown 2D

1950 David Brown Super Cropmaster

1938 Case Model RL

1935 Farmall F12 with Steel Wheels

A Great line up of Commercials

Three Austins enjoying the Sunday Sun.

Well as you can see there was a huge amount to see. Hopefully this show will be run again next year as I will certainly be there.

Easter Friday means Wheels Day I hope to see you there:

http://www.surreystreetrodders.com/

Tractor World Show 2012 Report

In the beautiful surroundings of the Malvern Hills at the Three Counties Showground Kelsey Publishing hosted Tractor World from the 3rd - 4th March. The show consisted of two huge halls filled to the brim with a wide range of tractors, stationary engines and the odd truck thrown in for good measure. Saturday saw Howard Pugh host the first Major Tractor Auction of the year and Sunday had a new addition of the Sodbury Sortout. There was also the Build-a-Fergie Competition, which consists of competing teams who build and start a disassembled Ferguson within times that are sub 10 minutes, which is always impressive.

I packed my sketchbook and sandwiches (peanut butter and jam for those of you that are interested)and sketched the day away whilst talking to people from as far away as Nebraska so the show definitely pulled them in from all around.

1917 Overtime Model R

(digitally painted ink sketch)

According to the information this overtime was found in a hedgerow near Didcot after being used as a chassis for a Shepherd hut.

1936 Massey Harris Pacemaker

(digitally painted ink sketch)

Purchased in 2008 as a non-runner, restored mechanically but kept original.

Drivers View

Oil in all the right places (I think)

1953 Nuffield M4

(digitally painted ink sketch)

Converted to a 3-wheeler in the mid 50's and spent it's working life in W. Yorkshire

1952 Allis - Chalmers Model B

(digitally painted ink sketch)

Last sketch of the day was this fantastic Rumely. I always like the way these machines look, with there series of cans connected by tubes, visible functionality at it's best.

1929 Rumely Oil Pull

Model 20-30W

(digitally painted ink sketch)

1944 Farmall Model H

Original lease-lend tractor. Purchased in 1998, and received a full mechanical restoration over the next 12 years.

1917 International Mogul 8-16 hp

Single Cylinder Kerosene tractor, One forward & one reverse gear.

Built in Chicago this tractor was imported by the UK government during the first world war and leased to a farm in the Cambridge area. The Tractor was rescued from a major flood in the 40's by a tractor dealer from Peterborough. it stood in the yard until the 60's when it was bought and restored over 10 years.

1964 Massey Ferguson 35x

Bopught in 1992 in a poor state. Rebuilt engine and new clutch, used daily.

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the 35x, and the show programme (given away free along with two free magazines!), had a very good article on the model.

1970 Massey Ferguson 1150 V8 8.3l

An ongoing project owned by Mike Trout. The Tractor was originally imported from the US, where it had stood idle for 12 years in 2011. A real beast of a thing.

1919 International Titan

1926 Twin City Model 17-28

1931 Case C

Last but by no means least this Fordson Major County which was part of the Howard Pugh Auction.

This is only a section of what was there and if you like what you see I would thoroughly recommend attending Tractor World in 2013 as it was a fantastic day out. Kelsey Publishing also produce a fantastic array of Tractor magazines for more information please visit their website:

www.kelsey.co.uk