House guests and museums
 

My family and I are host to house guests who speak little English, but have a great interest in military history. So, what better chance to visit museums in the area?

First, HMCS Haida, the preserved WW2 Canadian Tribal class destroyer recently relocated to Hamilton, Ontario.

Engine room
 

While in Toronto, only a boiler room was open to the public. Now, there is access to the engine room.

Impressive, and large up close!!
 

What is a little annoying is the Canadian Government's presence at the site where HMCS Haida now rests. It's everywhere and leaves the visitor with the impression that it was they who saved Haida. What bunk. It was only the hard fought intervention by navy veterans that saved her in the first place. It was volunteers who did the work to preverve her almost exclusively with donated money. Then, when she was so rotten around the waterline that the upper works were about to collapse into the hull, their advice was to scrap her. It was only when they discovered that it was cheaper to fix her than clean up the lead, oil and asbestos that would result from wrecking her, that they agreed to patch her up and move her. Now, the federal Government and one particular Hamilton area ex-MP is taking credit. Sheesh.

Still, Haida is now at a Naval station with some dignity rather that amongst the kiddie paddle boats in Toronto.

Thence to...
 

the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum where they keep this magnificent bird:

And this...
 

a barnyard wreck recovered from Manitoba, this Bollingbroke (a Canadian made version of the Blenheim Mk.IV) is being restored in public view.

Not an airplane... but
 

This cute little C15A was along the wall near the snack bar.

Then off to Camp Borden
 

Mk.II* Carrier. They had a Mk.1* in the old museum but no sign of it now.

Italian Fiat
 

Not much larger (or thicker skinned) than a Bren Carrier

Note on the Fiat
 

This description appears on the front of the Fiat. (I sure hope the poor fellow isn't still inside!!)

Ram & Sexton
 

..

Valentine
 

Early Canadian Valentine

'My' Vickers
 

(just got to figure out how to get them to give it to me)

F60L Machinery Lorry
 

Nice!!

Staghound and Matilda
 

..

Last
 

Ordinary Seaman Parker (three weeks away from finishing his basic training at Camp Borden) and his proud dad, blocking a perfectly good view of the museum's Mk.I Churchill.

Re: Last
 

Good lord, Bruce, he's all growed up!!! :eek: What the HELL ha'e you been feeding him??!! :)

My best to all! :salute:

:drunk:

Re: Re: Last
 

Jeez Pinky..
What a great job you did on that model...Last time I saw him he was trying to flush bits and pieces of your Fox down the toilet at the Estate in Napanee...
:remember :support :drunk:

Re: Re: Re: Last
 

Dam straight. Hell if I know how it happened. Must be a something to do with the wife's contribution.

Nuff of all that, I'm blushing. I'd have thought you'd be all over that label on the Italian tank.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Last
 

We'd have brought that up around the campfire at BB2 if you'd have gotten off yer fat arse long enough to drive up and attend... :D :p