Pavy8 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 a few months ago it was brought to my attention that sam weiners military salvage yard was less than 2 hours away from my house. so i took a trip up and quickly snapped a few pictures. i would have gotten more but i kinda ran out of light, this place is huge, it just kept going. I am taking another trip up sometime during march to get more pictures and hopefully see what i didn't get a chance to see. so please feel free to direct any questions or inquires to me and ill ask the nice man when i see him again. so without further adu, let the adventure begin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavy8 Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 theres alot more here than you see in the pictures, i was loosing light fast, and i never actually made it through the whole yard again feel free to direct anything you wanna know towards me, im going back within the month, and am more than happy to act as a go-between if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 some nice stuff mate ............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavy8 Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) im gonna try to pre awnser some questions here :-P. there were 37 M4HST's, 3 M5HST's, only 1 M8HST and 1 M6HST. 5 champs (who knows how they got HERE lol), 5 Mack NO's (i think they were macks) and 2 M559 tankers. and that panal version of the M37 is an actual production variant, not a post service mod. it would be (if my brain is working right) a M152CDN. a utility-Panel version of the M43ambulance. my sources indicate that only about 1000 were made, its deffinatly the first one ive seen. i havnt looked at the ID plate yet, so it could be a XM152, the non-standard American variant, but there were only 4 or 5 of those i think. and that huge tractor trailer lookin thing is one of "Atomic Annies' prime movers. 1 or 2 im told. also, does anyone recognize the camouflage on the M715, doesnt look American, but it had tire pressure markings where they should be. Edited February 27, 2012 by Pavy8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Wow awesome pics thanks for posting! Those hst's look better than i was expecting. Oh, and those are some BIG wheels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hummermark Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Hi, Nice pictures, do you have any more of the vehicles in the 4th from last picture? Do you know if any of them are for sale and what sort of condition are they in inside and do they have engines? Regards, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Hi, Nice pictures, do you have any more of the vehicles in the 4th from last picture? Do you know if any of them are for sale and what sort of condition are they in inside and do they have engines? Regards, Mark By the length of time they have been there (i have a set of the same pictures but taken at least 10 years ago) they are for sale but at prices that reflect current retail for fully restored versions, Sidney Zetler is a very shrewd man ! (Hope I spelt his name right did that without going and getting his business card out). The place is well worth a visit though Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin craig Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I think this is one end of the atomic canon thingy isn't it? R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin craig Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Do you know if he allows parts to be bought from a vehicle rather than the whole vehicle or it the same price? R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 That brought a tear to my eye. What does he plan to do with it all? Is it all to be cut up eventually? Looks like theres a number of M4 HSTs that have already suffered that fate. Why are all those M4s without engines? I understand their ammo boxes are being used to shore a bank somewhere, is that right? Does the M6 have its engines? Oh to have a few quid. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Garner Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Wow! Really impressive pictures, it's amazing how much rare kit there is laying around even 60-70 years later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavy8 Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) Hammermark, as of yet I do not have any more pictures of those vehicles, ill take more and try to peak inside next time im up there, and inquire about the price. Robin – yes, yes it is. Lol And I’m not sure about the parting out, ill ask about that, also Scammel – it was rather sobering walking through all this knowing it could have very well all been scrapped. I don’t think any of it is currently destined to the heap. From what I understand about the M4’s, they were used by logginf companies back in the day, who had no need for the ammo boxes. And they tended to replace the ageing engines with newer ones, so all the engines were stripped out years ago, probably scrapped too unfortunately. But before all these could be sold to the loggers, the civilian market started pumping out purpose built swamp logging equipment so the retrofitting of old HST’s was no longer necessary. So here they sit. Waiting for people with enough cash and freetime. Not sure about the M6. didn't they have 2 engines also ;-P Edited February 28, 2012 by Pavy8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadline Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I've heard of a few places like this.. another one is in Nevada IIRC. Has some stuff... way overpriced, gotta buy the whole truck, even if you only need a drive shaft. :nut: They also believe that the longer it sits outside (and rots away) the more valuable it becomes... in a few years the red pile of rust oxide where an MV used to be is worth more than its weight in gold!! :laugh: Just wondering... out of the 40 odd HST there... can you even get ONE working example? It does look like 1-2 were in working condition.. but original? It is cool that he 'saved' it from the crusher. Its kinda odd that it sits there to rot away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redherring Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Gold. Yes, I can relate to this. Attended a major auction of NOS and assorted war surplus hardware c.2000. As I recollect I managed to acquire some spark plugs, a few ammo boxes and a pair of new CMP/Blitz mudguards; but it was clear the auctioneer was having some difficulty as he was being overruled by an increasingly grumpy client! "Not enough, I'll scrap it." I’m sure I heard the old fellow say. "Passed in!" cried the auctioneer. Well, we got to a pile of brengun carrier flexible couplings. At this stage the crowd was getting restive. For an 'everything must go' sale, an awful lot of stuff was being passed in. No bid on the couplings. Out-loud I 'stupidly' said "ten bucks!" as you do. Next I received a lecture from the auctioneer slamming my Scottish heritage. :red:How could I possibly have thought that I could get that coupling for a miserable ten bucks? You must know the ‘real’ value of this gear!!! The message was clear… don’t bother bidding unless you’re prepared to pay top dollar. I felt like saying 'mate… all the military vehicle fraternity are here standing in front of you, what better way to set the value?' - but somehow I held my tongue. Not much of anything of real value sold after that… surprise, surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyH Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Smashing pics of the biggest toy box. Pity these old boys think they will live forever and an historic wreck is worth what the Army payed for one shiny new from the factory gate. Old boys will pop clogs one day. All that stuff will be weighed in for a few quid a ton, pure averice. BillyH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Hammermark, as of yet I do not have any more pictures of those vehicles, ill take more and try to peak inside next time im up there, and inquire about the price. Robin – yes, yes it is. Lol And I’m not sure about the parting out, ill ask about that, also Scammel – it was rather sobering walking through all this knowing it could have very well all been scrapped. I don’t think any of it is currently destined to the heap. From what I understand about the M4’s, they were used by logginf companies back in the day, who had no need for the ammo boxes. And they tended to replace the ageing engines with newer ones, so all the engines were stripped out years ago, probably scrapped too unfortunately. But before all these could be sold to the loggers, the civilian market started pumping out purpose built swamp logging equipment so the retrofitting of old HST’s was no longer necessary. So here they sit. Waiting for people with enough cash and freetime. Not sure about the M6. didn't they have 2 engines also ;-P Yes the M6 has two of the engines used in the M4. I'd like to see some more detail shots of it if you could next time you go down there. I think i saw some M6 track too dumped next to the M4 transmissions, which i believe is peculiar to the vehicle. In my case at least asking prices are totally pointless but i'd be interested none the less in the M4s and the M6. Cheers, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd_anderson20 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) When I saw the M6 in July 2007 it had 2 Cummins engines in it. Also more of the superstructure was intact including the radiators and part of the cab which all now appear to be gone. It would have required a lot of fabrication to restore it in it's previous state and a lot more now. It was $6995 when I saw it, probably less now. I have wanted to buy this for years now, but didn't have anywhere to store a 12' wide heavy tracked vehicle. They have the track next to the M4 transmissions listed as M47 track but it sure looks like Sherman HVSS track to me. I think the only thing that makes the M6 track special is the center quide but I could be wrong. As for the M4's, they're quite rusty but of the 40 or so that are there quite a few of them could be restored. Winer's even have Waukesha 145GZ engines for sale as cores. As for the armour that is parked by the road, there is a Stuart, a Sherman and a Sherman recovery vehicle. From what I have heard, they're not for sale unless you want to buy the whole business. Edited February 28, 2012 by rd_anderson20 clarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavy8 Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 woowie, things have certinaly been re aranged between when you visited and i visited. I know one of the M5's had an engine when i was there. the engine and radiator on the yellow one was gone for sure when i was there. and what exactly is teh yellow one, it looks like a civvy cab on possibly an M4? anderson - i find it ammusing that we parked our vehicles in almost the exact same spot hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd_anderson20 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 woowie, things have certinaly been re aranged between when you visited and i visited. I know one of the M5's had an engine when i was there. the engine and radiator on the yellow one was gone for sure when i was there. and what exactly is teh yellow one, it looks like a civvy cab on possibly an M4? anderson - i find it ammusing that we parked our vehicles in almost the exact same spot hahaha It's a civilian cab on an M6, the big brother to the M4. It's a quite rare machine, I believe there is only 1 restored example (of the 1200+/- built) on display at the Marshall Museum at Overloon. A museum in Indiana has a fairly complete unrestored example as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 The M6 also appears to have had its tracks removed and dumped on top between your two visits. What with that and the removal of the air filters, rads etc it seems that slow and steady dismantling it in order unfortunatly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadline Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I believe an M5 HST and is towed gun show up at the Reading PA WWII weekend. I don't think I have any pics though. I also honestly thought I would get blasted over mentioning that some people see gold where others see rust.... good to learn that I am not alone. What good is letting something rot when a FAIR price is offered. I've had a fair share of sellers tell me that I offered way to low.. and that they can get more if they scrap it. I have yet to have anyone show me a receipt for the $2000+ they said they would get from a scrapper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redherring Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 If the bloke who owns all those M4s sold the lot to collector/restorers for a sum greater than scrap value then think what a killing he'd make selling those same people spare parts. By contrast if he hangs onto the M4s he sells little... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I think that the two rolls of rubber chevron track next to the M4 HST bits are actually from M48 tanks and their relatives. It is wider than Sherman HVSS / M26 / M46 / M47 and can be spotted because the smooth surface for the road wheels to run on does not cover the full width of the inside face of the shoe as it does on the others. However the wedge bolts are of the earlier pattern with hollowed out sides to the heads so I wonder if these tracks came off some prototype that predated M48 ? It is a shame that the M6 HST is being reduced further but it does show that he is prepared to sell parts from vehicles. The cab on the M6 looks like it is from a County forward control 4x4 conversion of a British Ford agricultural tractor. There can't have been many of those exported to the States but then I didn't think that there were many Champs either and he has a line of them ! The pile of M4 wheels look very tempting to Sherman owners but although the tyre is the same and the wheel looks similar the hub design is quite different with a very different bearing set up inside. They can be converted but it involves some significant engineering. Sprocket rings are the same but not the hubs or any of the transmission. Finally, I also find it very frustrating when dealers, who you would expect to be trying to sell things for the best price that they can get, would rather scrap something than allow someone else to possibly profit from doing vast amounts of work on some machine that was in quite good condition before it had been left to rot. It should be said though that if these people were more rational, said remains would have been cut up long ago and would not be arround now for us to windge about. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RattlesnakeBob Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Agree with you Dave .. ...unfortunately the attitude of 'it's worth way more than that mate!' seems to be a trait in general of 'dealers' no matter what trade they specialise in..:-( .....I used to do a lot of dismantling work and buying/selling of engineering machinery in general and lost count of the number of times I was told my bid was 'way too low and nowhere near scrap value!' .. ..it used to really annoy me because I always made it my business to find out what the best scrap prices around about were....and almost without fail the vendor would say something along the lines of "it's £150 a ton and there's 10 ton in that mate so it's gotta be a minimum of £1500 quid if you want it " conveniently ignoring that it was only £150 quid a tonne for 'OA' cut to size scrap ...'oversize' fetched way less at the yards and gascutting /labour costs would knock a good lump out of the final sum.....but would they see that ?... Also ..it's gotta be said.... if you're buying 'by the tonne' ..??. .......never underestimate a dealers ability to overestimate the weight of something ! .... It's gotta be said though that I think farmers are still amongst the worst to deal with....how many of you have tried to buy something off one only to told something like "that's a good one that is mind!...it's really old it is! I heard of one of them going for £££££££ssss (fill in the appropriate price!) ......" ...and they never seem to like your answer of "yeah but that one didn't have a tree growing up through it and a rat nest in the back seat mate!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Awesome stuff, what are those huge axles off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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