diver99

Perhaps this is something Mr Wheatcroft could be involved in. There was a plan, before the new build at the Tank Museum, to physically move the collection 'up-north'. There was an idea that there was goiing to be an area of museums around Donnington. So the Wheatcroft collection could be displayed as well. Beltring is also convenient for the european traders/exhibitors. Getting another major event under-way, I think is achievable. One idea of mine, get the airfield and build permament structures for members vehicles as storage/workshops. I will do it tomorrow after I win the euro lottery tonight! But yes, your are right, the logistics of moving your vehicles is a major operation in itself. I am rather in awe in members who do all their own logistics, movements, re-supply (spares). Where in the Army, you would literally have a regiment to do it.

Hi everybody, here's a little help in getting your xmas presents in order. I bet your WAGS have got you something lovely for the vehicle, be it a jerry can or full tank of gas. So repay the compliment and take heed of the advert. Merry xmas:-D

Wow, does it have the door plates from the German Embassy, or blood stained combat jackets from korea?

Anybody remember Sussex Armourey? I had an epiphany and had a hankerin' for one of their Bowie Knives.

The last i heard, before the new Govt., got in and then the major cost cutting got underway. That it was proposed to house REME, Logistics Corps and potentially Signals Museum at St. Athan. New buidlings were being erected, but with no space such as REME has at the moment. Also, and this is pure heresay, that anybody who didn't want to go to St. Athan from REME museum would lose their job. Signals have some reprieve I believe as sig., units return from germany will go to blandford. Added to the (staff) cost cutting at Duxford, the knock-on effect of storage, that vehicles were going to be disposed of. As everyody knows, they do take up a lot of space. And surprisingly, some people are not particularly interested in history, vehicles etc. see Beverley Military Transport Museum. I hope I am wrong and somebody from those establishments may be able to up-date.

where do i send my cv?

Yes agree, wasn't trying to big-up regimental or the funded ones. Having seen the 'insides' of some they are a disgrace. Many regimental museums are literally tea-chests stored at a T.A. Centre. Or if council run, no idea about the history. I did hear about one museum, in a bit of financial bother, one of the business brains suggested selling a V.C., to pay off the debts.

There are a few ways museums get kit. Somewhere like the Tank Museum developed gradually with vehicles which became obsolete, or trials and evaluation, with a sprinkling of collecting after ww2. Then the idea of people other than military might actually be interested, so collecting policies are developed. IWM developed as a recogntion of British military 'history' but now something completely different. In a process of osmosis, people think "i'll donate that to my regimental museum (s)". Sometimes QM's wrote it off as a donation to the museum, as it was probably broke. The MOD and now the DSA try to squeeze every penny back, so hence Withams/Jacksons et al. Also sales overseas to 'Mustapha Leak' can act as sales and a sop to have a link for their oil etc. Uk one of the five top arms sellers, so generally a ready market. When museums are full, disposal lists are circulated, and collections go to accredited museums. Such as the R.A. list 2008--anybody want a V-1 Launch Ramp. Or what happens when a collection closes such as Beverley, distributed repsonsibily, sometimes? Will that happen when REME closes to go to St. Athan? And obviously contacts and cash. Museums love rich benefactors and supporters. i.e.e, Lord V.C collector.

Not sure abut the idea that French laws are more relaxed. Recent heresay from French tank museum is that any vehicle, if it has some sort of military link will be a target for euro(french) uber-bureaucracy. Get it out of France and apparently they cease to care. As which has happened to a couple of FT 17's which were part of the Maginot Line (recently-this year). The Greek chaffee's are placed at strategic plces on islands in case the Turks invade. If you remember the group of english plane spotters who were arrested for spying and banged-up. Part of the evidence was the photos they had taken at Messolonghi. This is a small group of aircraft and AFV's which appear dumped but form some sort of museum, but were cited as gathering information on Greek Defences. I had an acquaintance at University who is a Greek barrister. He just rolls his eyes when trying to explain Greek law. As an aside, there was an interesting link web blog by somebody who was trying to get a greek driving licence. I think he was american of greek descent. And this simple process beings kafkaiesque. So god knows what would involve military eqpt.:nut:

Being a compute mong, earlier pics too small to see te rust.

Here some pics of the Centaur at Pegasus Bridge, this June 2010. Its geting the worse for wear and neglect.

sorry steveo, i was just throwing that into the pot about having a museum of the wrecks. I have a love hate relationship with archaeology. There is / has been some good archy, but there is an awful amount of crap as well. And academics try to make it sound like a black art.

I know of at least one Panzer 38 turret sat on top of a pillbox in Greece , so there must be tons of stuff. Last year, some WW1 period tunics were for sale at Beltring which had gone to Greece and have just re-amerged from some store. Similarly, a warehouse was discovered in Italy full of human torpedoes, which had been forgotten. Also..but that's another tale.

Eddy!:nono::nono::nono: I don't think they are considering recovery to assist MV restoration.:-D Steve Steve, i hope i have not given the wrong impression. there is no plan by the NAS to recover, that's not what they do. They swim around and measure the wrecks in situ, (although they could do that on dry land where there is a cenatur etc.,) and pretend it's ground breaking academic archaeology and a benefit to the nation....while they rust away. I am all for salvage and, yes using for MV restoration.

Not war graves as the LC which was tansporting developed engine trouble and on it's way back. Then eventually capsized after crew taken off. So along with 2 centaurs, armoured dozer, porpoises and perhps a jeep. A gun has been mentioned, unsure if oerlikon from LC. Oh yes the consevation would be a problem. Either similar aspect such as the port en bessin tanks and slapton wreck and covered in a 'conservation film.' Or stripped for parts?

I hope i didn't portray that the group who are using the wrecks for their NAS qualifications would be interested in raising the wrecks. They won't. Knowing the NAS anything under the water now has a 'different meaning and it's importance is where it is now'. Yes some archaeology does belong in its context, but to me not these wrecks. Vehicles from a capsized landing craft, the history is known. The Centaurs were almost written off at the time and kindly donated to the Marines. When the vehicles ran out of juice, they were to be abandoned. There aren't that many Centaur's around; dozer and AA Turret at Bovington, one at Pegasus Bridge. Don't know any others. Also, they were to go to Fance towing Porpoises, (ammunition sleds), and I don't know of any at all. So a case for salvage and restoration on one of those would be important. I would be interested in peoples opinions on this. Oh and I read Maritime Archaeology at Southampton Uni.

Ooh just remembered, Mark Williams he of the fast show was on the ferry when went to Normandy in June. My wife took a picture of his really bad trainers and socks and put them on facebook....which was nice!

The Queen at the opening of an exhibit. George Lazenby (James Bond) in Birmingham. Caroline Munro (james Bond) Watford Mr Bronson (from Grange Hill) He also played Hitler in Indiana Jones 3rd film. Dave Prowse (Darth Vader) + a few others.....I used to buy and sell film memorabilia and these were at events. Leslie Grantham was also at one selling his auto for a fiver. Wonder if he gets a taxi these days. George McDonald Fraser and Douglas Reeman (aka Alexander Kent) at book signings. Bernard Cornwall on QE2 I also knocked Sir Clive Sinclair into the street when i was reading an A-Z in London. Joe Ekins, the man who took out three Tiger Tanks in Normandy.

I know this is an old thread, but so is the info. I was talking to a marine salvage company and divers had known about these wrecks since at least the 1970's. Nobody interested then, but it got the latest group of divers excited, and use it for their project in NAS. (Nautical Archaeology Sociey). Get them up and have a uk version of the wreck museum at port en bessin, Normandy.

watching it today, good p.r. for the troops and kit. did make me laugh when he jumps at everything, even he was in the bunker on salisbury plain.

Put me down, i'll start saving my pocket money and arrange a pass with the memsahib!

Oh what a waste! I showed the pic of your 105 to my wife and said it isn't it beautifull? she gave me a very funny look (she's a psychologist). also your rapier is mint. Do you have the blindfire bit as well?

Hi there, i have seen a few of these come out of iraq. Chinese, Egyptian and Iraqi. Are there any markings at all? regards dave

If you have not seen this link about surplus/abandoned 105mm pack howitzers, it may prove tantalising.. http://thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/gunner_antizen.html I also contacted Helston guns about the pack and they quoted me 25 000

good question about how much and where did the costing come from? As to volunteers, there is never a shortage of volunteer applications at the Tank Museum. Unfortunately, a large proportion apply under the impression that they will be trained to drive tracked vehicles that day and be participating in evey event going, when it suits them. Furthermore, it isn't a case of taking on ex-squaddies either. The vehicles are museum exhibits and not just items of kit to be thrashed et al salisbury plain. So a different type of volunteer is needed. And yes, the ugly head of 'elf and safety' is very much alive which does tend be quite important when dealing with gert big chunks of metal, track and public. But without the volunteer element at the museum, there would be no Tankfest. Not intended to be a lecture nay rant:nut: