We were just in our local Barnardo's shop and spotted a forlorn looking couple of bags in the corner.
The label said "TENT. £9.99"
"Why not?", we thought. Turns out we've got ourselves a Lichfield Montana 6. Will let you know if it is in one piece when we pitch it in better weather.
Any top tips from anyone who has owned one of these? We know our way around older canvas frame tents (we also own a Marechal Victoria 4) but I was wondering if the Montana had any particular foibles to look out for when pitching.
Anyway, fingers crossed...
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Thanks, Bob.
I've just had a look at the poles and two of the legs are bent at the top. No probs though... father in law is a retired engineer so I'll send them to his garage for repair.
Also, the tent cost a tenner!
Fingers still crossed re the canvas...
Bob I have two old canvas tents and neither of them have many guy ropes attatched. Like you said it's the number of pegging points round the base that do the majority of the work, having said that i have added second guys to all the points on mine as im not averse to camping in some rather iffy weather lol
Sorry for the delay in updating the status of the Lichfield. Anyhow, we used it a couple of times at Beresford Dale in splendid weather last year for weekend breaks... no problems at all .
Smaller size meant we could lob it on the roof rack and not have to worry about the trailer. The first time we were away in it was blazing heat ( can't remember it being as hot at Beresford Dale since '76...that shows my age) and the entire front and sides rolled up to let the heat out and breeze in.
Second time was cooler (early Sept) but tent was as warm as a canvas tent should be.
All in all a good purchase. I probably wouldn't take it out if I knew there was some dodgy weather on the horizon. But hey, the met office can get it right for three days hence; and that's as long as we'd be taking this tent out for anyway.
And it only cost a tenner... have I mentioned that already?
Here's to a great season ahead... hope y'all have a good one.
We also had a Litchfield Montana 6, bought new from JR Camping at the Don Amott site in Hilton Derbyshire in 1981. The colour scheme was Lime Green, Brown and Beige, ànd it had a kitchen extention on the side with a plastic opening window that rolled up to vent the area for cooking. The frame was spring loaded, and made from a type of alloy, which had some nasty sharp edges renown for cutting your fingers if you managed to trap them as the spring loads clicked into place.
The fabric was canvas, and we kept it for a couple of years until we traded it in for an awning for our first caravan. Had some fun in it as a first tent camping experiance, toured the Uk in a Mini Metro with a trailer on the back, and must have got at least 100 nights out of it during the two years we owned it.
Indeed there was a lack of guy ropes, and a few times when the wind got up we had to battle with its Hang Gliding capabilities whilst packing away hastily and taking it down before heading home early or seeking shelter for the night in my Parents static caravan that they would often hire nearby so that we could holiday together.
Fond memories indeed, l just cannot believe that all happened so long ago now, the Montana would have been 38yrs old this year.
It cost us £179 new, and having just had my 21st Birthday, l paid for it with all the money l had been given me as gifts from my friends and family to mark the occasion.
Julia
Post last edited on 22/02/2019 01:06:25
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
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I had a similar tent and the guy ropes were separate. There were spikes on top of the frame at all upright positions and the guys just hooked over them.
Good weather, no need, windy weather get 'em on.
Mine also had a roof lining for the living area which made it a lot cooler in summer.
I did find we needed to seal the ground with a good ground sheet including the narrow gap around the bedroom pod. If we didn't, I got a really bad cough after a few days.
Had a great Hawley Goodall (Litchfield by another name) 4 berth frame tent.
In blowy weather, I would guy/peg the frame down on the inside with the inner ties for fabric to frame taking some of power from the wind.
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Topic: Lichfield Montana 6
via mobile 21/2/2019 at 9:53pm
