mcspool

A turretless Stuart was most likely the post-war gun tractor conversion, as in use with the British Army in the 1950s. Hanno

Alen, great pics indeed, thank for sharing them! Richard, indeed they are SP Polstens, they came in Triple and Quad version, see the pic below for a surviving Triple one. H.

Great pictures! I remember the story about the recovery and restoration of the Northrop in After The Battle magazine. Read more at http://www.wmof.com/n3pb.htm H.

Indeed, Mastiff.

This GMC was pictured as late as 2008. . . hurry Jack, it might still be there! Hanno Source: http://www.fahrzeugbilder.de/name/einzelbild/number/9027/kategorie/Neuzug%E4nge/hierarchie1/Milit%E4rfahrzeuge.html

IIRC all the GMC CCKW´s which were sold off from Netherlands Army war reserve stock in the 1980s had to have the instruments removed. As they were supplied under the MDAP scheme, they were formally handed back to the US Government on whose behalf they were auctioned off. Before the Dutch government was allowed to do so, they had to be be put back in serviceable condition, which included overhauling brakes etc. but also removing the radioactive gauges. Attached goes a photo of a CMP Chevrolet C60L for sale at a dealer in the Netherlands. If you look closely you will see a yellow sticker over the main gauge which states "VOORZICHTIG RADIOAKTIEF" - careful, radioactive. Maybe for the UK MoD this is an acceptable way of managing the danger on your truck, at least until a replacement can be sourced? HTH, Hanno

Mike, Most likely a T26: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-26. Is it on this list: http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_T26.pdf ? Would love to see your pics! Hanno

Love that British humour! H.

Spotted yesterday in a used truck sales lot along A12 from Brussel to Antwerp, Belgium: US M35-series truck. Judging by the colour it seems it was last in civilian use, but it looks to be in pretty much standard military configuration. No connection to the seller, but I can provide contact details for someone who wants to save it. Hanno

And back in 2007, at Weert, The Netherlands, a pre-WW2 pillbox was moved off the premises to a neighbour one's. One really wanted to get rid of this pillbox, but could not demolish it, because it is a listed historical building. But his neighbour gladly saw it coming as a garden shed and €12000 was spent on moving it to his backyard. See http://www.hartvannederland.nl/nederland/limburg/2007/spectaculaire-verhuizing/ H.

I totally agree And it is possible. A number of pillboxes (bunkers) were moved to the National War And resistance Museum at Overloon, the heaviest was 200 tons IIRC. See http://www.bunkerpictures.nl/pictures/diversen/museum%20overloon/aanvang.html H.

In Bart Vanderveen´s book on Bedford trucks I read reference to a certain Bedford QLR variant designated "T.E.V. (Terminal End Vehicle)". Sorry, that is all I can find. Hanno

And what about "Serious enquiries only" or "serious buyers only"? What makes one a serious buyer? Given the price brackets, in reality what they probably mean to say is "I am only going to spend time on enquiries from people with serious deep pockets" H.

A former co-worker of mine worked on a project at the UK MoD around the turn of the century. They had an annual competition running to find the oldest part still in stock, and that year the guy who won had come up with a Sopwith Camel carburettor! Hanno

Ivor, Try thumbing through 'Quarter Ton' the story of the quarter ton, 4x4, utility in British military service, 1941-1958 by Pat Ware. I have it, but not at hand at the moment. Nice project, BTW. Was this the "kit" that was offered on MilWeb last summer? Hanno

See http://www.voituresanciennes.net/militaire2.html Would be great if you get this cab, Jack. You can sit in it and go brmmm, brmmm ! H.

Ken, I did not know that about Jacques Lemonchois. Just googled his name and found out he indeed passed away in July 2007. I talked to him back in 2004, and as you say he was a very interesting man. He really believed that the force of the objects in his museum was in their state. I am very glad he had this vision and did not slap olive drab paint and white stars all over everything. As with most of these types of museum, once the founder, financier and driving force behind it passes away, the museum and its collection slowly dies with it. Sad it seems this is happening with the Musée des épaves sous-marines du Débarquement also. Hanno

Definitely. There are more Shermans tanks off the coast still on the seabed. But this one was recovered and put on display, which makes the history it represents a bit more tangible for the public. Of course there is another Sherman DD at Courseulles, equally important because it is a genuine battle relic. There a handful dotted around France, preserved in the stop where they were put out of action. Another example is the Sherman at Cassino in Italy. And of course Cobra King, as dicussed on this site. So when you start counting, indeed at least a few dozen Shermans have a known battle history, but in general it is very rare for a surviving Sherman (or any other tank for that matter) to have a known history. H.

Jack, No idea, and when I first saw it I thought for a few seconds it was a scam. Possibly it is as simple as the fact that the museum´s owner needs the money? At least the seller acknowledges it is a historic artifact. Would like to learn on what Mr Schuster based his appraisal, though. If indeed it gets sold, I hope it only changes ownership and stays in Normandy. My EUR 0,02 worth, Hanno Quote from ad:

Rippo, Thanks for posting the pics and story of your Dad´s MW! Hanno

Jack, Your idea could be closer to reality than you think. One of the Sherman DD´s in France is for sale: http://www.armyjeeps.net/swimtank/1943_sherman_m4.htm Personally, I would hate to see this relic restored to running condition. There are many olive drab Shermans with white stars around, but hardly any battle relics with known history. I feel this tank is more valuable in its current condition than being restored. Hanno

See http://www.vintagemilitaryvehicles.com/albums/model_1918_ammunition_truck_body/model_1918_ammunition_truck_body.html for a Model 1918 Ammunition Truck Body for sale. No connections, but I'd post it here given the interest in WW1 trucks on this site. H.

Try http://www.tm-ww2.com/index.php?cPath=82 HTH, Hanno

Here´s another shot of the same Beetle with registration 82 AB 37. Interestingly, it has an oval rear window, these were built between 1953-1957. So these photos were taken after 1953. Until now, I had not seen photos of this type of Volkswagen Beetle in use with the British Armed Forces. All the pics I had seen to date are of the 1945-1953 split window type. Hanno

Spotted this DUKW yesterday outside the Amsterdam RAI convention & exhibition center. Inside they had a fairground exhibition going on, outside were some attractions. This DUKW was drawing attention for the "new generation of amphibious leisure bus". I like the old generation better! Hanno P.S. sorry for the poor quality pic, I used my phone and the weather was bad.