Old Pond publishing days

Rookie pilots defy bone-chilling temperatures to fly cargo and passengers through blizzards, breakdowns and transatlantic journeys.

ICE PILOTS - THE COMPLETE SERIES 2 (DVD)

Ice Pilots NWT is a 13-episode real-life docu series about an unorthodox airline in the Canadian North. Yellowknife-based Buffalo Airways flies WWII-era propeller planes big old aircraft built by “Rosie the Riveter” and pretty much unchanged.

Rookie pilots defy bone-chilling temperatures to fly cargo and passengers through blizzards, breakdowns and transatlantic journeys. It’s an impossible job in a merciless place.

New recruits come to slog it out on the ramp in -30°C weather to earn a chance to fly planes that most airlines scrapped long ago. Classics like the Douglas DC-3 and DC-4 and the Curtiss C-46 Commando, the very planes that once ferried troops and supplies in WWII. 

Few newbies make it. As they compete to rise up the ranks, they cope with ice storms, forest fires, treacherous landings and legendary owner “Buffalo” Joe McBryan’s famous temper. Buffalo Airways is literally a lifeline to the North. As Joe’s son Mikey McBryan puts it: “You can’t separate the North from flying. It’s the same thing.” Without Buffalo Airways, food and supplies wouldn’t reach the many northern communities cut off from the rest of the world during the long, harsh winter.

This season on Ice Pilots NWT, viewers will follow a treacherous transatlantic journey in the middle of winter as crews attempt to deliver two Canadair CL-215 waterbombers to their new owners in Turkey. The problem? These aircraft aren’t designed to fly in winter conditions and aren’t configured for flying over larges bodies of water. Getting there proves to be a daring feat. 

 

Viewers will also watch the drama unfold as pilots fresh out of flight school pay their dues as“rampies”, anxious for a chance to fly. Rampies load cargo, sweep snow off the wings and log hours as flight attendants, competing fiercely with one another for the next coveted co-pilot position. Friendships among pilots are also tested as they vie for enough flight hours to make captain. By the end of the season, someone will be leaving Buffalo Airways. Ice Pilots NWT gives viewers a rare look at life “north of 60”. With the economic downturn, a dwindling supply of speciality aviation gas and the high cost of flying vintage aircraft, the very future of Buffalo Airways hangs in the balance.

To order your 4 DVD box set please click here

Lost Inns, Taverns and Public Houses of Ipswich

New into Old Pond this week, we have David Kindred's book "Ipswich, Lost Inns, Taverns and Public Houses" which is a record of 400 public houses, inns and beerhouses.

The enteries are organised into two sections.

The first describes the public houses that have been closed since 1919 and includes photographs of the establishmentsm while the second lists closures from the eighteenth century to the First World War punctuated with photographs were available.

By consulting archives, borough records, period newspapers and the painstaking research of the late Jack Ruffels, David Kindred has successfully painted a picture of the Ipswich local from frontroom beerhouse to grand hotel.

With interesting anecdotes from town residents, a section on old coaching inns and some 250 photographs, this book shows that the town has enjoyed a truly diverse wealth of inns, taverns and public houses.

If you love reading about the history of Ipswich and take a keen interest in how the town has developed, then this book is for you. 

A Warm Welcome to Farming in Miniature: Volume 2

After the much anticipated wait, Farming in Miniature Volume 2 has finally hit the shelves with the official launch at the Tractor Show in Spalding last week. So much material has been assembled for the book that it had to be divided into two volumes.

Each manufacturer has been given its own chapter, identified by the brand name rather than the manufacturers name. Volume 1 covers manufacturers alphabetically from Airfix to Denzil Skinner, while this volume, volume 2, covers Dinky to Wend-al.

A glossary of technical terms appeared in Volume 1. It was stated in the introduction in volume 1 that the glossary would be included in both volumes, but rather than repeat information, the space has been used for an addenda with details of additional items for the manufacturers in Volume 1 that have come to the authors' attention since the book was finished. One of the fascinating aspects of toy collecting is that previously unrecorded variations seem to turn up quite regularly, so that in the time since Volume 1 was completed (less than a year) they have filled several pages with new finds!

You can purchase the new Farming in Miniature: Volume 2 from the Old Pond Publishing shop here

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New DVD: Big Rig Bounty Hunters

Our latest brand new DVD release is Big Rig Bounty Hunters, the History Channel's Latest Extreme Trucking Series.

This series follows five to six groups of truck hunters across America as they embark on some of the most dangerous hunts to retrieve missing truck loads. This cast of colourful characters compete against each other as well as a ticking clock. There's money to be made from locating the trailer, and if there's anything left of the load inside, the hunter gets a percentage. From retrieving stolen loads to collecting repossessions, a day in the life of a truck hunter is never easy, but the dollar signs keep these truckers hunting.  Watch the trailer now or read more on the Old Pond website: 

 

 

 

Farm Machinery Through The Seasons

These new releases from Tractor Barn Productions takes a trip through the farming year from winter to winter and shows the variety of machinery used throughout the seasons on a modern farm in the 21st century.

 

  Watch a huge variety of modern and classic tractors and farm machinery at work. By visiting many different farms up and down the country we get a real feel for what machinery are out at work in the countryside today.

Starting with the end of winter and then moving through spring, summer and autumn until we start winter again, the cyclical nature of agriculture is shown as crops are sown, cared for and finally harvested before sowing begins once again.

It soon becomes obvious just how important the tractor is in all this as well as the combine harvester, forage harvester, sugar beet harvester and pea viner. Implements include hedge cutters, mowers, balers, ploughs, various different types of cultivator, subsoilers, spreaders, sprayers, grass rakes, loaders, feeders, scrapers, trailers, irrigators, drills and planters to name but a few - all are in this programme and all are shown hard at work.

Probably no other farming DVD programme has ever included so much action! 

Click the links below to find out more:

The Farming Year Part 1

Part one of the story takes us from manure spreading in January to silage harvesting at the beginning of June. Other machinery seen in action includes various cultivators, power harrows, drills, ploughs, sprayers, fertiliser spreaders, yard scrapers, slurry tankers, planters, bed-formers, de-stoners, and flail mowers to name just a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Farming Year Part 2

The second part of the story takes us from silage making in June to ploughing in December. Other machinery seen in action includes various combine harvesters, pea harvesters, cultivators, ploughs, drills, manure spreaders, potato harvesters, maize chopper and sugar beet harvesters to name just a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Set (The Farming Year Part 1 & 2) 

 

Old Ponds visit to Spalding for Tractor 2014

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all our customers at Spalding Tractor 2014. It was great to catch up with you all and share our latest range of books and DVDs.

The unexpected arrival of Farming in Miniature Volume 2 was welcomed - none so than by one of it's authors Peter Wade-Martins.

This new release is a follow on from the first volume, covering 52 manufacturers with supplementary chapters on promotional model tractors, unknown manufacturers and identifies heavy tractors.

Peter, along with two other authors Robert and Adrian, have worked hard to have their work collated and it was great to be able to display the newly released volume 2 book at Tractor 2014. 

You can purchase Farming in Miniature 2 from the Old Pond Store here

 

Our friends Jonathan and Stephen at Tractor Barn Productions launched their two part DVD set The Farming Year, which was well recieved by the old pond customers.

The Farming Year- Through the Seasons uses footage taken over the last five years to show the widest possible variety of tractors and machinery at work out in the fields of Britain.

Part one of the story takes us from manure spreading in January to silage harvesting at the beginning of June.  

The second part of the story takes us from silage making in June to ploughing in December. 

You can view the DVD set here

 

If you missed us at Tractor 2014, then not to worry because we will be at The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show 8-9 November 2014, where you will have the chance to browse our collection of books and DVDs. 

 

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Middle East Symposium

Some of you may have attended the Retro Truck Show in Gaydon recently (check out our photos from the event)  This year, running alongside the event was the Middle East Symposium.  Ashley Coghill, organiser of the event, shares his thoughts:

"The Middle East symposium came about after numerous requests from "old drivers" and enthusiasts alike, for me to put on such an event.  It was also a great chance for a driver's "reunion" between many of the old Middle East men, some of whom haven't seen each other for 40 years!  Alongside that, many enthusiasts, some of whom weren't even born when "The Gold Rush" (Middle East overland run) was in full swing, were at the event to soak up the atmosphere and to meet their "hero's"!

"Throughout the day there were slide shows, old cine film footage and talks from the drivers themselves to give a "snap shot" of how the job used to be. Some of the places the trucks delivered to back then are simply not accessible nowadays due to various political problems, and of course the current war!

"Any truck related event would not be complete without an authentic lunch and the symposium was certainly no exception. A typical Middle East trucker's meal was provided which included authentic grilled spicy chicken and rice, followed by tinned fruit cocktail and Carnation Milk which incidentally, was left on each table to be poured straight from the can, just like it was back in the day!

"300 delegates filled the conference room and judging by the "buzz" at the end of the day, each and every one of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves!"

If you missed out on the symposium and want to get a feel for trucking in the Middle East, why not check out some Old Pond titles on this subject?

        

Classic Tractors, DVD Box Set

This week we're pleased to tell you about a new boxed DVD set: Classic Tractors which is perfect for the tractor enthusiast.  This box set features 4 DVDS:

Classic & Working Tractors

Mini & Mighty Tractors

Classic & Vintage Tractors

Classic Early & Vintage Tractors

You can read more about the details of each DVD on our Old Pond website and can buy your copy online today at http://www.oldpond.com/classic-tractors-4-dvd-set.html

At just £14.99 this makes a perfect gift for any tractor enthusiast, so get hold of your copy today.

Old Pond at the Retro Truck Show

Last week Old Pond were pleased to be able to take part in this year's Retro Truck Show in Gaydon.  It was a great event & our team were pleased to meet up with so many of you there.

We were joined on the Sunday by renowned truck author Patrick Dyer who, as well as showing his own truck, was on hand to sign copies of his popular books for visitors.

Here are some photos taken during the event, including a great picture of Patrick in his 1983 Volvo F12 restored in the period (late 1970s) livery of Edwin Shirley Trucking a company that specialises in concert tour and conference work.

 
      

One Man & His Campervan

This week we're pleased to announce the release of another new DVD: One Man & His Campervan.  Martin Dorey, campervan lover and passionate foodie, journeys around Britain in his 1970s classic campervan, on the ultimate escapist adventure.

Over ten episodes Martin travels to different regions in the UK - Devon, New Forest, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Angus, Trossachs, the Lakes and Pembrokeshire. Along the way he meets growers, fisherman, farmers, larger-than-life local experts and fellow holiday makers. Martin cooks for his new-found friends, creating local dishes from his small campervan kitchen.

These feasts unfold wherever Martin camps up, in some truly stunning settings: on Britain's beaches, in woodlands, on cliff tops and around intimate campfires. Martin unearths our freshest seasonal food, tasting his way around Britain on this campervan food adventure.

You can buy your copy for £19.99 on the Old Pond website today.
http://www.oldpond.com/one-man-and-his-camper-van-3-dvds.html