When your job is to film in some of the world’s more inhospitable places for television, the creature comforts of home can be few and far between. Yet for TV wildlife presenter Simon King things are about to get a lot more comfy with the long term loan of a specially customised home from home.
Bailey Caravans has committed to supporting the BBC’s nature specialist with the loan of a modified Orion 440-4 caravan affectionally known as the “Green Goddess”.
The nickname came about due to a special request from King, who often spends many hours in the field shadowing animals in their habitat. In order that the caravan could better blend in with its natural surroundings, he requested a custom exterior colour scheme of dark green.
Going green
Ordinarily the process of creating this colour scheme would involve a time-consuming and expensive paint re-spray. However Bailey worked in partnership with supplier Creative Graphics International to come up with a more cost-effective solution. For this project the company instead chose to coat the Bailey Orion in a distinctive dark green vinyl wrap, a method often used when customising sports cars in matte colours.
At the launch of the Orion in February this year, the caravan was feted as a vehicle designed for adventurers wanting to “get the most from the great outdoors”. This is in part due to its light weight and compact body shell, designed in conjunction with the University of Bath to create more aerodynamic properties. As a result towing stability has been improved on the Orion, while the caravan is easy to drive and park.
“No better way to explore”
The project is sponsored by The Caravan Club which has long been committed to enhancing the natural environment through the implementation of a series of bio-diversity initiatives across its extensive network of parks.
And having taken delivery of the customised Orion, presenter Simon King was excited to work with his new vehicle.
“The UK is blessed with a myriad of magnificent wild places spread across the nation. And there is no better way to explore the natural world than from the comfort of a caravan” he said.
“I’m really excited about getting out and about in my new green home on wheels”.
