Hi Paddy,
I would look for an original of I were you. I have a couple of wartime bell tents, bought for a donation to a scout troop funds. Granted, they will not last as long as a modern reproduction, but, most military tents had a rot proofing applied to the canvas, and in the 14 years of continual use of mine the only problem I have found is the guy lines rotting, so, for the price of new ones, they have been very cheap tents!
Where to get them though is difficult, scout troops do still have them, although be warned bell tents are not small tents when folded, and would need something s little bigger than the MX 5, I certainly can not fit mine in the Riley.
They also take two people to put up, a lot of troops are now getting rid of the canvas patrol tents. These are the ones in the light green canvas. These are good tents, much lighter than the earlier canvas, and much easier to put up.
I have a period tent catologue that I will scan when I have time.
Kindest Regards
Ben
here it is folks. Very little to do to it, but i'll do a few cosmetic things over the winter, such as wooden pegs and a few little patches. Dated 1943!!