C15TA CZ4288021 added to the collection

[Hanno Spoelstra]

A new addition to the “Maple Leaf Up collection”: today I picked up the C15TA which I bought last March. Some 20 years ago, it was expertly restored from a range wreck by the late Harry Bruin. Harry drove this C15TA a lot but he sadly passed away and his family decided to auction off his vehicle collection. I made use of the opportunity to strike off an item from my wish list.

I was busy with the Normandy event coming up, so I decided to have it serviced by Van Oorspronk Classic Cars as Hendrik Van Oorspronk is a member of this forum and a CMP owner. As it had been standing for some years, Hendrik had to replace all wheel brake cylinders and fix an exhaust leak and an oil leak. He gave it a full service to put it back in operation.

Today my friends Bert and Alex and myself drove the C15TA home, a distance of some 125 kms. The truck drove perfectly and is now stored in my barn. Later this month I will take it out for a 10-day event to remember operation Market Garden.

Looking forward to experience ownership of wheeled armour - Canadian to boot!

[Ed Storey]

What a nice looking C15TA - congratulations!

[Jordan Baker]

Nice to see you branching out from the Ford. Great looking truck.

[Tim Bell]

Lovely vehicle!

Congratulations.

Tim

[Brian Gough]

Hanno,

This is great news. Congratulations - I know it has been a long time coming.

What a beautiful truck.

Brian

[Barry Churcher]

Congratulations Hanno. Harry would be pleased that his TA has been passed on to such a deserving owner. I had anticipated an announcement in Normandy or even a viewing. Way to go.
Barry


The photo is VE Day parade in 2005

[rob love]

Congrats Hanno. That is one lovely truck. What a treasure.

[maple_leaf_eh]

As the others are adding, good find and great news.

Something I learned from a man with a genuine 1800s buffalo hunting breechloading rifle, we do not own these artifacts - we just take care of them for the next generation. He shot that rifle in competition, and I'm pleased that you had an uneventful road trip.

[Alex van de Wetering]

It's testimony to the restoration of Harry and the work done by Hendrik, that the only reason we really had to stop on our route was for the crew to go to the loo and refill with coffee!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks all!

I will try to reconstruct and document the known history of this C15TA. Photos like Barry posted are very welcome.

Here is a photo I took of CZ4288021 while in Normandy in June 2009. Harry also brought it to Normandy in 2004 when he won a prize for "Best Armoured Vehicle". He was - rightly so - very proud of this, hence the event plaques attached to the nose of the truck.

One day I hope to bring it to Normandy, too.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Trying out the Ben Hur trailer loaded with camping gear for Liberation Task Force’s Garden 80 event next week. It tows nicely!

#xxxcorps

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some photos of my C15TA during the recent 80th anniversary events of Operation Market Garden (ref. http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...179#post297179):


Valkenswaard:

Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?v...77143787778529


Son en Breugel:

Photo courtesy of Tim Bell


Groesbeek:

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Ginkel Heath paradropping and commemoration (ref. http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=34843)



Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AG91etQM5/


And the Race to the Bridge (Oosterbeek to Arnhem and back):

[Alex van de Wetering]

Here is your C15TA in Sint-Isidorushoeve in 2013, Hanno

by the way....I think that was also the first event for Stefans F60H wrecker (?)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks Alex!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

My friend Bert Lindeboom sent a photo he took ca. 2004 during a commemoration of the crossing of the river Dintel at Standdaarbuiten, The Netherlands.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some updates on this year's events:

Camp Nijverdal 1-5 May 2025: organised by the Staman Family, this was a fantastic Commonwealth event with displays like Women's Land Army, Canadian Kitchen, C8A lineup, etc. and two large tours.



These are just two of many photos which can be found on the internet, e.g. https://campnijverdal.nl/ (https://www.hierinhellendoorn.nl/cam...redestijd-1/); https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569197820480; https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...98080449018195

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Last Saturday Bert, Alex and I attended a local Veteran's Day. We did a 1 hour tour with approx. 22 historic military vehicles.

See more photos at
https://www.blikoplisse.nl/teylingen...endag-in-lisse
https://www.blikoplisse.nl/item/2507...endag-in-lisse




The Mayor of the town of Lisse was mightily impressed by the C15TA