Classic vintage CANVAS TENTS

[Saint-Just]

One word regarding wooden pegs...

They look the part.

But if you find yourself in a summer thunderstorm, with the accompanying downpour and the howlers, you will find that quite a few of the pegs will shake themselves loose (unless you've made them 2 inches thick and 20 inches long. Each! :lol: ). And added to the heavy soaked canvas that means you'll soon have a collapsed tent.

I like wooden pegs cut on the spot to replace missing ones, but I am afraid that metal v-section pegs win it every time for me.

 

[MPicciotto]

Some of the airfields we set up on have very hard ground (so hard that at least one time an electric rotary hammer drill was used to pre-drill stake holes). So our reenacting group went to all 2ftx 1/2"rebar for our stakes. But we do place a 1/2 pipe cap with 4" long 1/2 pipe nipple over each stake. The cap and nipple sets are painted bright yellow. An acceptable deviation from standard that nets us security (stakes don't pull out) with safety.

Matt

 

[PADDY]

One word regarding wooden pegs...

They look the part.
.

FOUR words actually!

I appreciate what you're saying and that's why I keep metal ones 'just in case' as a backup, as we all appreciate that mother nature can be unpredictable at best. I also keep a modern 'one man' tent as a 'Plan B' as an old adage I remember from my past life is - "Any fool can be uncomfortable."

But, 'thanks' for the useful feedback - appreciate it.

 

[mrbieler]

For a little bit, the British tents were pretty easy to come by here, but they dried up as quickly as they arrived. Should have bought a few, but I'm happy with the one I've got. Should roll it out and clean and treat it again though.

Bed roll looks nice. I'm using a Jerry Lee reproduction.

 

[PADDY]

Got the Bed Roll for a fiver (£5 GBP - UK), as the seller had 'no idea' what it was. The lovely full leather belts were worth much more alone! They thought it was a suit carrier or something! oh well - my gain.

 

[Philip A.]

Matt, completely off-topic... That's a Cat behind you in your avatar, is that correct, Sir?

Philip

 

[PADDY]

Keep cats to the Pets Thead please. Back on topic please Gents, Thankyou

 

[Baggers]

I think Philip is asking about the Cat-alina (big WW2 amphibian twin engined float plane thingy) in the BG of his avatar, Paddy.

 

[Baggers]

I think Philip is asking about the Cat-alina (big WW2 PBY amphibian twin engined float plane thingy) in the BG of Matt's avatar, Paddy.

 

[Philip A.]

Yup...

But that's off-topic, let's go back to tents...

 

[PADDY]

OK Gents - haha! Looks like I'm buying the next round

Just before I left for Ireland (where I currently am - so on iPhone here)
I proofed the tent canvas with FABSIL (brush it on, let it soak in, it dries and waterproofs). I've
Left tent erected in my garden in UK mainland and forecast is rain and storms.
Be interesting to see how the FABSIL handles it.

 

[PADDY]

OK Gents - haha! Looks like I'm buying the next round

Just before I left for Ireland (where I currently am - so on iPhone here)
I proofed the tent canvas with FABSIL (brush it on, let it soak in, it dries and waterproofs). I've
Left tent erected in my garden in UK mainland and forecast is rain and storms.
Be interesting to see how the FABSIL handles it.

 

[PADDY]

Just got a cotton canvas tent (off white) which I'm proofing today with 'clear brick sealent.' You can 'just' stand up in this one (if you're a pint sized 5ft 8" like myself). Pitched in the garden to see what areas of it need working/fixing/replacing. The dogs have christined/launched it, so that must be 'good luck!' Photos to follow - as ever!

 

[Ben Stephens]

This is my latest Tent Paddy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320920010454?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

It is very lightweight for the period, certainly lighter enough for hiking and cycling. Folds into a neat little bag as well!

Ben

 

[PADDY]

(Cheaper than Fabrisil for proofing canvas folks!!)

That's it proofed (easiest way Chums is to pour the stuff into a watering spray can that can be pumped up for pressure! Hit the trigger and the spraying begins! Just a cheap one for a few quid / dollars.

Next step - canvas tarp for ground sheet. Maybe some anti midge netting on the vents!!

NICE FIND Ben!!

 

[PADDY]

Ben! Mine is by Uniform too. It's called The Brighton. There's a few subtle mods I'm going to make ( such as plates for the poles to rest on to stop them sinking into soft ground. I also recognize the benefits of sewn in groundsheets ( after some hairy adventures in my 40's ridge tent in 70+ mph winds in Cumbria). I need to think it through as I don't want to change the originality of this tent either. Though it won't be used for rufty-tufty stuff, just as a Base Camp.

PS : Midge netting curtain for the front is on cards!

iPhone Comms

 

[Mr. Godfrey]

Looking forward to see photos of your tent used in situ, Paddy. - Perhaps a Renault style safari camp as opposed to glamping

Paddy could you sew a zip around the bottom and groundsheet so you can choose to remove the ground sheet and have the sides up if you wish - may not be possible with your tent but just a thought.

 

[PADDY]

I can promise there 'won't' be any 'glamping' from me. This is going to be a utility tent that will accompany me for fixed base camps whilst I'm spending time in the hills/mountains.

As for the zip idea on the ground sheet. Having looked at the fabric and construction/design, I don't think zipps would work on this one. At best, either a button fastening or velcro - so the jury's currently out right now on that.

 

[Ben Stephens]

Paddy,

I would love the tent in this photo!

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...chertsey-england-group-of-news-photo/80748894

Ben

 

[Edward]

I can promise there 'won't' be any 'glamping' from me. This is going to be a utility tent that will accompany me for fixed base camps whilst I'm spending time in the hills/mountains.

As for the zip idea on the ground sheet. Having looked at the fabric and construction/design, I don't think zipps would work on this one. At best, either a button fastening or velcro - so the jury's currently out right now on that.

Is this the tent you put up photos of on Facebook? Looks a lot like the Black's of Greenock Icelandic tents I spent years camping out in in the Scouts, but smaller.... the separate groundsheet is really easy to work with, but yes it has its limits - in a crowded tent one night, in my sleep I let my legs slide out under it - woke up soaked through from the knees down! I love those tents, though....