stanleywindrush Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hiya Its a long story but I was 'invited' to a location in Northern France to have a discussion with an eccentric french farmer about finding some parts for a project I have on. I have been asked not to diclose the location or contact details and I have to respect the chaps views. Some may know of this 'collection' already - but thought I would share the story and some pictures.. I was escorted by a 'fixer' in france to the owners location. When you arrive its a dismal sight with many wrecked and rotting post war vehicles just laying about. I was told about the collection and given a quick tour of the site. Basically its an old factory that is just falling down with all the walls bowing, rain running through the floors and everything rotting away. The owner has crammed into it any military vehicle he could find or un earth. There were a few rotten willys jeeps, a few german motorcycles and side cars, but then interestingly in one room were two 88mm anti tank guns!. Then when I got accustomed to the dark I saw halftracks, lorries a Highspeed tractor (based on the sherman chassis) a Weasel and tons of military surplus - all piled on the floors rotting away. I guess there was at least over 200 vehicles in various conditions of disrepair. I was proudly shown the munitions room in which (no joke) it was piled high with rusting ammo and with two enormous german aircraft bombs taking centre stage. One final room held some anotomical dummies with bits missing - this was the last straw for me as in the gloom it looked like real bodies... I snapped a few pictures and will share here when I manage to get them down to the sixe allowed on the thread. As I said I can't offer anything more than this interesting picture as the cahp is a little nervous of anyone (especially the French authorities) snooping into the 'collection' as I'm guessing all the guns/ ammo I saw were 'real'... PS The owner also wittered on about downed aircraft he knows of that are buried in nearby forest - apparently these stories are true, but the type of aircraft are unknown.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 We need to see more...:shocked: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david052 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 And the tanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mash Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Looks very interesting, and does make you wonder how many more places like this there are, oh the possibilities of finding some vehicles and kit that many thought were only confined to museums. Look forward to more pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rog8811 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 thought I would share the story and some pictures.. More pictures please and, as above, how many places like this exist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoranWC51 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hiya Stanley, You can e-mail me the pictures and I'll shrink them to the correct "forum size" for you. Each e-mail can contain attachments up to 20MB. Just send as many e-mails as is necessary. goran_noren[at]yahoo[dot]com This find sounds really intriguing. It must be quite dangerous keeping all that rusty ammo lying around.... Goran N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
private mw Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 nice is there more pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Pearson Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 yes we need to know more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pzkpfw-e Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Holy ****! You hear about "barn finds", the odd Kettenkrad, chassis from an Sdkfz 7, but this lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Isn't the Rhino 1st Armoureds badge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 looking forward to more pics,I presume nothing is for sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanleywindrush Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hi I have more pictures - they will be posted very soon. All objects are for sale but in Francs? I think this means they are for sale but the equivalent of Franc value (in euros) The owner is very eccentric.. Baz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I hope whatever his views and interests that This owner does make arrangements before something happens to himself as to the selling or transfer of all this material . Other wise I see a big big group of historic material being condemed to a scrape yard without any possibility of anything being saved by anyone . Especially once the French government gets involved ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) I wonder if his prices are realistic? More to the point, how much is an '88' on its transport bogies worth... I wouldn't like to think. Who used 88s after the war? That one has been repainted and is setup in the AA role without the gun shield. Edited February 2, 2011 by ajmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I wonder if his prices are realistic? More to the point, how much is an '88' on its transport bogies worth... I wouldn't like to think. Who used 88s after the war? That one has been repainted and is setup in the AA role without the gun shield. I think Spain, Sweden and Finland did. There were a lot for sale about 20 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Looks very interesting, and does make you wonder how many more places like this there are, oh the possibilities of finding some vehicles and kit that many thought were only confined to museums. Look forward to more pics. I can think of three similar places all in France (actually this might be one of those three). In every instance an eccentiric owner, very big shed and no visitors allowed. I must admit, i do like how he adapted the wall to get stuff inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver99 Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I wonder if his prices are realistic? More to the point, how much is an '88' on its transport bogies worth... I wouldn't like to think. Who used 88s after the war? That one has been repainted and is setup in the AA role without the gun shield. Hi there, i want an 88 but always thought they would be stupidly priced. Over the last two years, i have seen that generally they can be picked up for about £10,000. Finland have been selling them, but the Spanish have a few as well. I have seen one perched atop an awning for advertising in Spain. p.s. I still haven't got one yet>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spood Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Isn't the Rhino 1st Armoureds badge? That is correct Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddy8men Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 hi diver99 i know john price from saracen exports in staffs had a couple for sale give him a try on 01952 691132. eddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I have more pictures - they will be posted very soon. All objects are for sale but in Francs? I think this means they are for sale but the equivalent of Franc value (in euros) The owner is very eccentric.. Hi, great find, thanks for sharing. Many French people still talk "French Francs", but of course the current currency is the Euro. I noticed that many years after the introduction of the Euro many shops still priced their goods in both Francs and Euros. Anyway, 1 FRF = 0.152449 EUR and 1 EUR = 6.55957 FRF Eccentric? Of course, he collects rusty old army trucks! Plus he is French. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Brilliant find! I hope they can be saved at some point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pzkpfw-e Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Any more pictures to add yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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