Combat dealers TV show

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by tankbarrell

It's all hyped up to give false drama. Don't take it literally, imagine it's a show where the actors happen to play themselves.

Well put

I chuckled all the way through the drama when they travel to Normandy all dressed up in pink shirt and ties, "armed" with a wartime picture of a VW Schwimmwagen, find the location at the local railway station, ask around in the local cafe and come up with the name of the farmer who took the battle damaged Schwimmwagen off the battlefield. They pay a visit to the farmer, find the battle relic in his barn, find out the farmer does not want to sell (although neither party understands a word of each other), but he is kind enough to offer them some of his home brewed Calvados. All in a days work, eh?!?

H.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Well put

I chuckled all the way through the drama ...........

You do not have to take it too seriously, quite entertaining and I know that the "deals" were set up for the programme. The episode that had me laughing was when his two mechanics were shown the Dingo and the drama they made of finding forward gear, then having no brakes. To the general viewer it is entertaining. I was not sure about it when I saw the trailer, but after the first episode I knew that a lot of the dealing was not for real. It did answer one thing though, as I had received calls last year from a TV production company regarding tanks or armour for sale, now realise it was for the programme.

cheers Richard

[Keith Webb]

I agree with Hanno and Richard, it looks like it's created as entertainment with larger than life characters and a lot of set up or otherwise contrived situations against a background of historic military vehicles. I can't imagine any serious collector/dealer giving away all his secrets like that!

It's had a lot of work done in developing the storylines for each episode and the chemistry between the rogue-ish lead character, his staff and customers is entertaining.

There's a lot of work done by the director and film crew to shoot things from different angles, making people repeat things to match and make coherent sequences most viewers don't even think about when watching it. They do a reasonable job of making it feel like you the viewer are an observer of real events.

It's obviously not done at the cheapest end of production values (certainly not the more expensive end either) but is a good standard for the market niche it lives in.

I've only had time to watch a few segments but found myself enjoying it on that level.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

but after the first episode I knew that a lot of the dealing was not for real.

The Money that changed hands wasn't for real then ? Did they give the vehicles back to the original owners after the show was filmed ?

The loud mouthed guy was talking up the prices of militaria at the W&P show , a WW2 dated para maroon beret , he said was worth 1000 pounds He paid around 500 pounds for a 38 wireless set, a very common set and made in huge numbers . What worries me is, people see these prices on TV and then demand the same exorbitant prices for the stuff

[Tim Bell]

This is the same as "Posh Pawn"... I was invited to take part in that one.

The deal was... you tell us what rare and interesting items you have... we tell you if we're interested in featuring you on the show... we pay expenses to go to the location in London... you arrive and our specialists review your item and tell you what they'll give you for it... your choice whether you want to accept their offer or not.

You get to take your item home and no money changes hands - unless you really like their price and want to sell.

Unfortunately they werent prepared to pay my day rate... they seemed to think I'd be happy to get 15 mins of fame for the price of a cuppa and some diesel money.

Have better things to do with my time.

Tim

[Stuart Kirkham]

I wish, just for once, a 'real' reality show would be broadcast. I watched the first show and will not be watching anymore.

I know of many farm sheds that have 'undiscovered' military gear in them. Surely chasing down these treasures would make more interesting viewing than a bunch of 'actors' pretending to find stuff in old barns.

[tankbarrell]

Those sheds full of undiscovered treasures are still full because the owners don't want to part with the stuff. Showing them on international TV would probably not go down too well!

Unfortunately, reality, actual reality, not TV lands idea of reality, is not exciting enough for your average TV viewer. The things we find really interesting, generally do not make good telly.

[Lauren Child]

Originally Posted by Tommy K

I wish, just for once, a 'real' reality show would be broadcast. I watched the first show and will not be watching anymore.

I know of many farm sheds that have 'undiscovered' military gear in them. Surely chasing down these treasures would make more interesting viewing than a bunch of 'actors' pretending to find stuff in old barns.

You should check out Tank Overhaul, which was broadcast a few years back. It featured a variety of tank restorations around the world.

[Mike K]

In the episode I watched " Bruce " paid 1500 Euros for a German oil can - made from cardboard , manufactured when they were running out of metal , so he said .