[Brian Gough]

link to original article in Toronto Sun on Thursday Sept 29, 2011:

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/29...-to-sell-tanks

Better news: link to updated information:

http://www.durhamregion.com/news/art...-history-books

"Roaring out of the history books
War-time tanks, trucks come to life at Oshawa museum

OSHAWA -- The twin diesel engines of the decades-old M4 Sherman tank start quickly, a low rumble the only sign that the mammoth machine is ready to roll.

As volunteers with the Ontario Regiment Museum shepherd a few dozen spectators to the sidelines, the 1945 tank slowly lumbers to a nearby ribbon of asphalt, its twin tracks leaving deep imprints in the soft dirt.

Only the heads of James Riddell and John Tryron are visible, popping up through a pair of parallel openings at the front of the tank, as the war machine picks up speed and rumbles pass the gathered crowd.

It's surprisingly fast for a machine that is nearly three dozen tonnes of metal and armour, roaring back and forth along the roadway with only the occasional grinding of gears as onlookers take photos and shoot video on their smartphones.

It's an eye-opening experience for Fred Mitchell, who never knew the museum existed at the northern end of Stevenson Road, next door to the Oshawa airport. "It's sad. I was born and raised here in Oshawa and I've never been here," said Mr. Mitchell, who was joined by his wife Mary Anne.

The couple recently saw an article in a Toronto daily about the museum and decided to check it out for themselves.

"This is our heritage," explained Ms. Mitchell. "We need to do something to keep it going, we've got to remember."

And that's the goal of the Ontario Regiment Museum, whose history dates back to the 1980s when it was first known as the Ferret Club -- a tip of the hat to the nine-car troop of Ferret scout cars procured from the Canadian Forces that unofficially started the collection. The museum was officially formed in the early 1990s and now boasts a roster of more than 70 operational vehicles -- from tanks and armoured personnel carriers to trucks and jeeps -- and more than 50 club members who volunteer their time repairing and refurbishing them.

And it's through efforts like the museum's Tank Saturdays program that the regiment hopes to spur interest in both the club and the vehicles they care for.

"Our goal is to connect with the community and let them see a little bit of the history of the Canadian Forces," explained Leo Morin, the museum's chairman, of the effort that featured a different tank the first Saturday of each month from May to October. Visitors are given an opportunity to get an up-close glimpse at the massive machines and learn a few tidbits before watching the vehicles lumber around the sprawling museum grounds.

"You can only look at something for so long before you get tired of it, but if you see it working and moving then that adds a little something to it," said Mr. Morin.

The majority of the vehicles on display were used at one time or another by the Canadian Forces and are now deemed obsolete. When the war machines become available, the Oshawa museum applies to the government to give them a permanent retirement home. A core group of volunteers spend countless hours keeping the vehicles operational -- from changing tires and adding a fresh coat of paint to replacing engines. The tanks and jeeps and trucks are then put on display, used in parades and, in some cases, even cast in movies.

The volunteers range in age from 16 to 80 and everyone brings a different set of skills to the club, said Dave Mountenay, the club's past president. "You've got to want to get your hands dirty. There's no sense coming out here and standing around and twiddling your thumbs," said Mr. Mountenay, explaining that most volunteers simply "adopt" a vehicle to work on.

Behind the doors of the showroom are workshops lined with tools and batteries and spare parts. Outside, bins hold more parts for another project down the road.

"We have a lot of spare parts, we don't tend to throw much away," said Mr. Morin. "You never know when you might need something." There are plenty of projects to keep the volunteers busy -- from refurbishing vehicles to repairing the roof -- and the historical museum is in no danger of becoming history itself, stressed Mr. Morin.

"We're not in danger of closing our doors," he said, dismissing reports that the museum may be looking to sell some items, such as tanks, in order to keep the lights on.

"Nothing's for sale -- museums don't sell stuff, we're in the business of collecting. That's why we do it, to keep it for our children and the future," he said.


For more information about the museum, visit www.ontrmuseum.ca. "