Those plumed crackshots of the Italian army, the Bersaglieri, execute gymnastic leaps while at the same time playing martial airs - as another squad of their comrades jump through blazing hoops to the rhythm of those same airs. Just one of the items in this first of two visits to the annual military spectacular at Earls Court. Also on parade: Canada's Mounties, riding musically and faultlessly; the Royal Navy, striving traditionally to haul field-guns across a chasm; the massed bands of the Royal Armoured Corps and, on the bandstand, the Midland Band of the Royal Air Force.
A television outside broadcast presented by John Vernon
A second visit on Thursday at 6.40pm.