agmerlin Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Having just returned from a fantastic trip to the Normandy beaches I felt I must raise the issue of the state of some of the tanks used as memorials. It is very noticeable that anything American is well looked after, whereas the British tanks at best need a lick of paint and at worst are steadily rotting away! In particular the Churchill tank Charlie 1 which is an actual D Day tank is rusting badly! As is the one at Hill 112, What can be done? I,ve no idea who actually looks after them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Having just returned from a fantastic trip to the Normandy beaches I felt I must raise the issue of the state of some of the tanks used as memorials. It is very noticeable that anything American is well looked after, whereas the British tanks at best need a lick of paint and at worst are steadily rotting away! In particular the Churchill tank Charlie 1 which is an actual D Day tank is rusting badly! As is the one at Hill 112, What can be done? I,ve no idea who actually looks after them? You will probably find the British Army in Normandy next year just prior to D-Day, are out with their paint pots going over these tanks, I recollect in the past at the big anniversary years that Charlie 1 and one several others had the treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoseman Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 You will probably find the British Army in Normandy next year just prior to D-Day, are out with their paint pots going over these tanks, I recollect in the past at the big anniversary years that Charlie 1 and one several others had the treatment. Give it a few more years then and they wont need the paint, just brushes to sweep up the rust!!!! Sad case for these beautiful and memorial vehicles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosie Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Having just returned from a fantastic trip to the Normandy beaches I felt I must raise the issue of the state of some of the tanks used as memorials. It is very noticeable that anything American is well looked after, whereas the British tanks at best need a lick of paint and at worst are steadily rotting away! In particular the Churchill tank Charlie 1 which is an actual D Day tank is rusting badly! As is the one at Hill 112, What can be done? I,ve no idea who actually looks after them? I shall put the word out as the group who helped organised to put that tank in place, the then Solent area of MVT now SOE (as in Overlord show). i remember the dedication ceremony well as it poured with rain! Our eldest son, Jack, was a babe in arms, he's now 13 (and a half!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ax40 Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 I shall put the word out as the group who helped organised to put that tank in place, the then Solent area of MVT now SOE (as in Overlord show). i remember the dedication ceremony well as it poured with rain! Our eldest son, Jack, was a babe in arms, he's now 13 (and a half!!) She doesn't hang about! Word is already out in our Facebook group. I'm happy to get a group together - joint SOE and MVT members, to spend a few days doing the job properly so that the tank is good for both the 70th and the 75th anniversaries. PM Rosie or myself if this is something you would like to get involved in - we will have a messy few days with compressors, needle guns, paint and stencils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 She doesn't hang about! Word is already out in our Facebook group. I'm happy to get a group together - joint SOE and MVT members, to spend a few days doing the job properly so that the tank is good for both the 70th and the 75th anniversaries. PM Rosie or myself if this is something you would like to get involved in - we will have a messy few days with compressors, needle guns, paint and stencils Like the sound of that! Sometimes I just feel that the hobby is great at talking but not so good at the walking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big ray Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 She doesn't hang about! Word is already out in our Facebook group. I'm happy to get a group together - joint SOE and MVT members, to spend a few days doing the job properly so that the tank is good for both the 70th and the 75th anniversaries. PM Rosie or myself if this is something you would like to get involved in - we will have a messy few days with compressors, needle guns, paint and stencils Well done! its wonderful that we have people like yourself in our mid`st. I am 76, unfortunately live a little too far away and would be more of a liability than an asset. You are to be applauded....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
private mw Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 great work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 She doesn't hang about! Word is already out in our Facebook group. I'm happy to get a group together - joint SOE and MVT members, to spend a few days doing the job properly so that the tank is good for both the 70th and the 75th anniversaries. PM Rosie or myself if this is something you would like to get involved in - we will have a messy few days with compressors, needle guns, paint and stencils Just before you all get too far on this, you may like to know that the Churchill on Hill 112 is looked after by a group in France called the Hill 112 Association, mostly people from the surrounding area I understand. They actually have the repainting task in hand, I am told the paint has been obtained from the UK and has been delivered ready for them to do the job. It would not be very diplomatic to arrive over there and take over what they consider a responsibility and honour to undertake the upkeep of this memorial. regards, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosie Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Just before you all get too far on this, you may like to know that the Churchill on Hill 112 is looked after by a group in France called the Hill 112 Association, mostly people from the surrounding area I understand. They actually have the repainting task in hand, I am told the paint has been obtained from the UK and has been delivered ready for them to do the job. It would not be very diplomatic to arrive over there and take over what they consider a responsibility and honour to undertake the upkeep of this memorial. regards, Richard Excellent news thanks for that Richard. Glad it's all in hand. I will pass the message on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Excellent news thanks for that Richard. Glad it's all in hand. I will pass the message on. Thanks Rosie. It just shows that these memorials are by no means forgotten. regards, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosie Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Thanks Rosie.It just shows that these memorials are by no means forgotten. regards, Richard Yes it's nice to know they're being looked after. I will make sure we get to see it next year and photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agmerlin Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 Great to hear that someone can get over and work on these tanks, I will post some of the photos I took. As I said Charlie 1 is by far the worst which figures as its on the beach! The lighter metalwork on the upper surfaces is badly corroded as are a lot of the metal struts strengthening the metalwork of the track guards. The one on Hill 112 is in need of a fresh coat of paint. The one outside the museum at bayeaux had weeds growing out of the back end. Pretty shocking for one supposedly being looked after by a museum. There are also two others that need attention both Churchill/Centaurs, one at Pegasus bridge and the other nearby the Montgomery statue. These both just look shabby because of faded paintwork. It all begs the question about who is responsible for them,long term, and what funds are available for their preservation. Does the British government pay anything? They bloody should do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Why can`t the French towns where they are placed not do anything? They also have the earnings from the tourists which are bringing loads of money into the region by exploring the battlefields. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffleese Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Great to hear that someone can get over and work on these tanks, I will post some of the photos I took. As I said Charlie 1 is by far the worst which figures as its on the beach! The lighter metalwork on the upper surfaces is badly corroded as are a lot of the metal struts strengthening the metalwork of the track guards. The one on Hill 112 is in need of a fresh coat of paint. The one outside the museum at bayeaux had weeds growing out of the back end. Pretty shocking for one supposedly being looked after by a museum. There are also two others that need attention both Churchill/Centaurs, one at Pegasus bridge and the other nearby the Montgomery statue. These both just look shabby because of faded paintwork. It all begs the question about who is responsible for them,long term, and what funds are available for their preservation. Does the British government pay anything? They bloody should do! C1 has just been painted, and it now looks OK. I met the lads who were over there to do it at a ceremony on Saturday - from 62 sqn RE on a "battlefield tour". Their OC reckoned it was the only way he could get it done........Sadly where it's placed it will need doing again for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Great to hear that someone can get over and work on these tanks, The one on Hill 112 is in need of a fresh coat of paint. It all begs the question about who is responsible for them,long term, and what funds are available for their preservation. As I said in my post on 31st May, the Hill 112 memorial is looked after by the Hill 112 Association made up mainly of people of the local community. They are painting the tank with paint supplied from over in the UK. They look on this as their responsibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agmerlin Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 (edited) As Promised, a few photos. 1. Charlie 1 2. On the Road to the Montgomery Statue 3. Pegasus Bridge 4. Bayeaux 5. Hill 112 Edited June 4, 2013 by agmerlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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