stanleywindrush

I actually bought the Aml wreck they had left - and looking for parts now - do you know anyone who may have some?? Baz

Hi I am trying to find out where and when this picture was taken. I'm actually trying to track down the owner of the small armoured car to the left... so any leads would be appreciated! The reg of the Stalwart is; q31 gjt Heres a second picture taken a few years later... I have a feeling the show is a large steam fair - perhaps in the south?? Thanks Baz

Wow - you are the man! What about these?? Baz tanks allied 1.pdf

I want to put together a pub quiz. I have managed to get enough tank outlines, but am not sure of their exact nomenclature - can you help? I need know the answers before I issue at the quiz. I already know a few but thought would be interesting for you 'buffs' out there!! and help me get the answers before I have to trawl through Janes military guide to MBTs! No prizes - sorry, but tank type and mark number please when responding. If we refer to them as column and then where they appear in that column e.g. Column 3 tank 2 from top = hotchkiss Mk2 etc etc Good luck! tanks axis 1.pdf

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

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..

Hiya - Interesting thread.. I have some info that could help (or not!) I have a friend who works for the MOD in my dream job (although the money is bad!) Her job is working on the excavation and disposal of kit for the MOD. This ranges from buried wrecks to making bombs safe (well their finding - the bomb disposal people take over from there) She has worked on all major American sites and airfields in the past. I was talking with her about kit left over and she said they come across a lot of 'debris' but never anything like complete ww2 vehicles. She about a year ago was called to two airfields in South Devon as they had found a large amount of debris buried at the edge of the airfield. It turned out to be a large amount of large calibre rounds in cases. These were from the returning bombers/ aircraft where the munitions had developed faults and couldn't be fired. The airfields were Dukerswell and Smeatharp. They scanned the whole site and this was the only debris of any note found. She did hint at a listening station they may be called to in the near future also in South Devon - its still MOD property so theres been no access to the public. Think the greatest task she has dealt with was the Harwell 'job' which they had to deal with radioactive waste in fire buckets buried under a infant school. I quizzed her extensively and she insisted digging anything up from these sites were very dangerous. Interestingly she then went on to tell me about the 10K german bomb in the road outside my current house! Apparently its safe and they don't see the need to remove it!! (I HOPE SHE WAS JOKING! BUT THE OLD LADY OPPOSITE REMEMBERS IT DROPPING!) Hope that hasn't shattered any dreams of finding crated jeeps. I have enough problems with 'top hat sections' without 60 years plus of constant moisture!!

Hiya I run the FARG group (always interested in new members!) We have a few french vehicles, quite a bit of kit and some weapons.. only dropped once... I run the Willyshotchkissjeeps.com website with some blogs on the vehicles in the diary pages. If you want real indepth data and info on french vehicles I must pass to a friend of mine Andy; The all knowing sage of all things French army (vehicles - I am usually good on the kit..) He runs M201.com M201.com is an excellent site if you are a hotchkiss jeeps owner. There is a good Hotchkiss register on there and a growing Delahaye VLRD one as well. It would be good to launch a few French pages as there is much I could add as have had a few Hotchkiss, Delahayes, Sumbs and some armour.. and some interesting stories along the way... There are a few weird rules and regulations in France (basically fear of another revolution!) so its difficult to get hold of military kit - especially if its seen as a threat to French security.. you try buying a tank over there! They have relaxed recently (last 10 years) now they realise there is so much money to be made from collectors - they may even repent putting all their WW2 armour on the ranges!!! If anyone has a request let me know as have a few contacts in france (and spain) who may be able to help.. PS I have NEVER put a star on a french jeep!! I've taken a few off though.... I'm currently putting a command car back to correct French Livery!

Thanks Lee I have heard of this chap and I will try to contact him. On a slightly related note I need some tyres and think the fox used the same. I also need some sand channels and the Uk ones are the same?? Baz

Hiya I'm restoring a Panhard AML 60 currently here in the uk. Its proving very problematic sourcing information / decent photos and data on this armoured car. Has anyone got any leads / friends - or know of anyone who has one of these, so I could share experiences/ ask some questions... Have you ever driven one? Do you know where another one may exist (except Bovington and Saumur). Any one have any spares??? Help and leads greatfully accepted and even rewarded!! Picture of the one I found in Spain and subsequently imported..

Hi everyone - new to this website Forum, seems full of useful information and lots of useful pictures and threads. Nice to see the 'movement' growing and thriving! I have a few military vehicles and need particular help with one troublesome one I am working on at the moment! Has anyone any pictures, contacts, leads or indeed any info/ parts for a Panhard AML. If you have a friend, contact or any leads or information on these 60's vehicles please PM me so I can complete my restoration. Its like trying to find icecubes in the desert.. I know there are some out there - but I only find damp patches!! Thanks people Baz ebarrimore@hotmail.com

Hiya - yep the original pictures is the Panhard aml from the BE Boys collection. This Panhard is now in my ownership! It is actually the body of a AML90 and the turret dropped on (an H60 turret). The body seems to have some history from an arab country (by some script I found on it) and the turret of from spain. Its in this current state... Any one know of any other owners? I need to chat about spares!!