Classic Camping

Jabbawocky · Post by **Jabbawocky** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:56 pm

Hi all

Went to our local Charity shop today to buy a table for our new kitchen I knew they had going cheap. Whilst looking in their warehouse I noticed a heap of tents and noticed one had large alloy poles. A closer look showed the tent to be a Blacks of Greenock Good Companion Major. The Manager said the tent was too old to be sold, so said I could have it. As it is a charity I offered a donation, which was accepted.
Not put it up, but it does look still serviceable, which is not bad as according to the net, they have not been made since the 70's. Anyone remember these tents?

I think this might make a nice addition to our camping display?

Cheers Mick

RobW · Post by **RobW** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:46 pm

Vaguely remember seeing them as a child. Might have been used on a scout camp?

DanC · Post by **DanC** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:30 pm

Cub camp about 30 years ago!!!

Calum · Post by **Calum** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:45 pm

Very jealous Mick, I have always wanted a GC Major! Especially with the optional extended flysheet... very sad I know. I should keep an eye out more often on ebay etc.

I myself have a Blacks Arctic Guinea, somewhat rarer I think, and mine is quite old being of 1960 vintage. I haven't ever seen another in the flesh. My dad bought it brand new! It received a new flysheet in the 70s after a LOT of use all over the UK (mainly Scotland) and bits of the alps too.

And in use with my car of the same vintage... just so happened to be a GC next to me on the site!

Jabbawocky · Post by **Jabbawocky** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:28 pm

Hi Calum

Love the pictures, especially with your car in there.

I keep reading about the extended fly, but have to admit not knowing much about these tents as I am one of five children and my dad had a bay window camper towing a Nova NR trailer tent for us kids to sleep in. Is the fly in the photos the standard fly or the extended fly? Did the tent come with a fly?

By the time I started camping on my own it was Force 10's or Saunders lightweight tents.

Cannot wait for next summer.

Cheers Mick

AntMan232 · Post by **AntMan232** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:44 pm

Dad's just walked in and been telling me about an occasion he walked off somewhere with a GC Minor and a Force 10...

Ant

overlander · Post by **overlander** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:34 pm

Fond memories of the Vango Force 10....in May 1970 I was one of ten newbies in an ex-Army Bedford RL heading for a new life as a fearless driver leader in Morocco. En route we had the task of pitching 50 Force 10's in each of 3 campsites in France and Spain. The 'overlanding gods' in charge, one ex-special forces, the other ex-para demanded that all the guy ropes ran at the same angle as the the slope of the tent, the corner guys tensioned the built in groundsheet correctly and the pegs were hammered into the ground at right angles to the guys - that makes yours a very good effort Calum.

cheers

John H
Old-Age Traveller

Calum · Post by **Calum** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:45 pm

I find the Force Ten a bit easier than the Arctic Guinea! Has far less guy ropes to start with! I did spend a good few years camping with the Scouts, and later teaching Scouts how to put up old canvas tents and marquees too...
My Force Ten is a Mk2 which is a small 2 person item, sloping ridge and a green flysheet (but still has the distinctive orange inner). I haven't a picture to hand, and I haven't even had it set up for years!

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