In 2018 Duncan Mansfield together with Brian (Mungo) Monro formed ‘Battlegroup Raydon’ with the purchase of 03EB39, a Mk10 Chieftain Main Battle Tank. Duncan and Mungo, Together with a band of mainly Ex-Forces Veterans, arranged for its rescue from a field in Essex where it sat for 20 years, half full of water. Kickstarting a passion project, together, the team work to restore a whole variety of military vehicles. Over time, the collection has grown to encompass a range of vehicles, including a Saracen, Saladin, Humber Pig and Champ, whilst our Chieftain has since passed on to pastures new, we are hoping to be joined by a brace of Chieftains in the next 6 months.

The group is primarily aimed at those who served in the military and hopes to encourage both serving military personnel and veterans to come visit and help us get these vehicles back on the road. In the long run, the goal is to take these beasts to as many shows as we can. Anyone who helps is able to borrow any of these to take to shows as well and we hope to attend shows as a group - to both relive the old days and enjoy the hospitality and company of one another. All are welcome.  

Battlegroup Raydon are based at the grade-II listed site of Raydon airfield. In 1943, the airfield was built to be a USAAF Bomber base. However, on completion, it was converted into a fighter station with 3 squadrons of Mustangs flying out of it. Following the war, it was handed back to the RAF before eventually being returned to the Farmer.

Proceeds from the sale of military parts on this website will go towards the running costs of Battlegroup Raydon, including expenses such as rent, bills, more vehicles, and parts to fix them!