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| International Festival of the Sea 2005 |
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Portsmouth UK for the period of late June and early July was veritably over-run with tall ships and warships from 40 different countries.
The cause of all this activity was the International Fleet Review on 28 June followed immediately by the International festival of The Sea held for the third time now in the Portsmouth Naval Dockyard. In these security conscious times it is highly unusual to be able to roam around unimpeded( aside from the huge crowds!) at free will around the entirety of this vast naval base, viewing, photographing and even touring aboard so many warships- even some 'exotics' such as the Russian navy Udaloy, a past time absolutely unthinkable even a mere 10 years ago!
There was a fair selection of model ships , including some neat dioramas-not all naval; the Mulberry harbor and 'A taste of the Algarve' along with the inland waterways sunjcets caught my eye in particular; but the main event of course was the astonishing collection of splendid 1:1 scale shipping from around the world, the photos presented here serve merely to give flavor and the color of the event. We visited for one day only-- true enthusiasts would require nearer 2-4 days.. if the feet would stay in shape-...!
There was also a vast flotilla of classic and/or unusual small craft including a good turnout of Dunkirk 'little ships'.- all dressed overall. Daily 'mock' battles with loud pyrotechnics, very low-level fly pasts of various jets, Chinook helicopter acrobatics and even low-level in-flight refueling, as well as many marching bands and military processions, these were all side shows that added to this unique event!
At £ 22.50 per head the entry cost is substantial though gates open at 10.00 am and do not close till the end of the evening with concerts ranging from Marines Bands, Popand Folk to classical Symphonies being held every evening
We shall be holding another Modelshippers party to run concurrently with the next Festival of The Sea --I hope to see more of our MW.com readers at the IFOS and there-after at the party!
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ModelWarships.com -- -- July 2005
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