Wheatcroft Collection

[Larry Hayward]

Who or what is the Wheatcroft collection and which country is it in?

 

I have seen mention of the Wheatcroft collection, which seems to be rather secretive and on a web site I saw some time ago it didn't mention any address / location for them!

 

I assume they are similar to the SDKFZ people who own the Jagdpanther & various German Half Tracks which regularly attend Military Odyssey - but is anything seen at MV shows from the the Wheatcroft Collection?

 

 

 

 

[ian2b]

Here is there website

 

http://www.wheatcroftcollection.com/home.html

[Marmite!!]

http://www.wheatcroftcollection.com/

 

http://www.hmvf.co.uk/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=38&topic=5940.msg55407#msg55407

[Richard Farrant]

- but is anything seen at MV shows from the the Wheatcroft Collection?

 

 

Larry,

 

They usually bring the Famo halftrack and a Sherman to Beltring, ........although not this year.

[Tony B]

That FAMO, just has to be the ultimate in big boys toys. Sell the children and the cat, but I'd just really want one. :drool:

[Snapper]

The collection is private - but we do have participants on this site who are involved with it. The FAMO is wonderful - but maybe we'll see the Panther on the move one of these years at an event. What a thought.

[Larry Hayward]

Thanks for the links.

 

So from what I see the collection is owned by Kevin ? and it is in the UK.

 

No doubt the location of the collection is secret to keep it safe from 'parts collectors' but it would be nice to think that one day it would be open to some of us HMVF members who do keep our hands to ourself!

 

 

[Tony B]

Thanks for the links.

 

So from what I see the collection is owned by Kevin ? and it is in the UK.

 

No doubt the location of the collection is secret to keep it safe from 'parts collectors' but it would be nice to think that one day it would be open to some of us HMVF members who do keep our hands to ourself!

 

 

 

they'd have to fit us with straitjackets, or sew pockets up before entry. Clean the drains for a bunch of drooling green infected loonys. :dunno:

[Brian Balkwill]

Thanks for the links.

 

So from what I see the collection is owned by Kevin ? and it is in the UK.

 

No doubt the location of the collection is secret to keep it safe from 'parts collectors' but it would be nice to think that one day it would be open to some of us HMVF members who do keep our hands to ourself!

 

 

 

Hi Larry

 

The reasons for the collection not being open to the public are as follows:

1. Health and Safety - the yard and storage sheds are not laid for viewing. and especially in wet or damp weather, are very difficult and dangerous to navigate.

2. There are only three staff working on restoration all the ancillary activities involved - every time someone visits their work is interrupted as someone has to escort the visitors for the duration of the visit (given the size of the collection this tends to last all day).

3. There are probably thousands of people who because of their job/hobby/vocation would like to visit the collection, but for the reasons listed above it is just not feasible as no work would ever get done.

 

This is why we are working with Kevin to put information out on the website and in forums such as this one. The ultimate aim is to one day house the collection in its own museum for the enjoyment of everyone, but this is a VERY expensive exercise (Bovington are spending somewhere around £16 Million on their new facility and I think half of that is lottery funded).

 

We try to issue updates as and when news or a significant arrival warrants it. As I am sure you understand, restoration takes a long time and there will be times when news is sparse, but rest assured we will keep updates coming on a regular basis (one is going up here today :-) )

 

I hope this helps

 

regards

Brian Balkwill

[Mark]

Thank you for that reply Brian that explains a lot and keep up the good work.

[abn deuce]

I think thats a Very good way to handle things in the mean time . One would love to see things first hand of course . But This might be even better since you might miss out on details that can be covered in more depth on line here while causing as few problems as possable to the staff .

It's like have a very personal Guide on call !. :-) ;-) :-D