Finnish Tanks

[Hanno Spoelstra]

This was sent to me yesterday by a contact in Finland. Sounds like an exciting sale.

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Hello my friends!

On last Thursday it was made public that Finnish Defence Forces is selling old tanks in an auction on Tuesday 25th September 2007.

The news is now also on FDF's web site, but unfortunately only in Finnish: http://www.mil.fi/laitokset/tiedotteet/3264.dsp with the detailed description in the link "Panssarivaunuhuutokauppa" (http://www.mil.fi/liite/panssarivaunuhuutokauppa.doc). There will be some photos of the vehicles on that page within a couple of days, so check it out!

The main points are:

1) For sale are
- 15 Charioteers (items 1.15)
- 4 Comets (items 16.19)
- 3 StuG III wrecks (items 20.22)

2) Auction takes place at Siikangas depot, Ollinkiventie 73, Jäminkipohja/Ruovesi (about 60 km/45 minutes northeast from Tampere) starting at 10 am. Place can be found with e.g. www.viamichelin.com.

3) Charioteer and Comet tanks can be inspected in advance at Siikakangas depot on 30th August, 5th September and 24th September at 9 am - 3 pm (09:00 - 15:00) and also on 25th September at 9 am (auction starts at 10 am).

4) StuG III Ausf G wrecks (really!) can be inspected in advance in Hämeenlinna on 30th August, 5th September and 24th September, where gathering for display tour (to a non-determined place) is at 2 pm (14:00) at the "SA-kauppa", army's surplus store, located at the Häme castle close to the city center. StuG IIIs will be auctioned at Siikakangas but not transferred there.

5) Tanks will be sold in as is condition, but guns will be deactivated after the auction according to the requirements of the import country's regulations. Loading and transportation is on buyer's expenses.

This will be once-in-a-lifetime change! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am not in change of the auction but deeply involved. Looking forward to seeing you here! Please, pass this information on, if you have any friends who might be interested.
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