Ontario Museum buys fake German vehicles

[maple_leaf_eh]

From the Google docs legal information, "...Duffy won the auctions for both the Opel and the Marder. His winning bids were $41,000 for the Opel and $210,000 for the Marder. ..."

As far as I am aware, Mr Duffy has bought and sold numerous other armoured vehicles. He has been a big proponent of the Ontario Regiment Museum and raised its profile head-and-shoulders above its previous levels. Let's not forget just how much good he's done for the hobby. As I mentioned above when I visited the very impressive collection, I was informed that the two pieces were by then acknowledged as not original.

I've made bad decisions over the years too. I've been disappointed with auction purchases just as much as I've been happily surprised by what arrived. Maybe the MLU lynch mob should pull in its horns and let the OntR Museum have its day in court. A judge will decide whether the items were misrepresented or not. Until then, I think all museums have bigger fish to fry as they try to find revenue in a very changed community sector.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Terry, you’re right. It is hard to comment on someone who is putting his money where his mouth is. I guess the difference for the guy paying for it, is whether you know you’re buying a replica or being led to believe you’re buying a genuine vehicle while in fact you are not.

Then again, the snotty remark towards Jordan is out of line as he clearly has the experience.

Same sort of thing happened in the MLU FB group. Someone started asking questions about the CMP he had just bought. He got constructive comments about the roof hatch being a postwar addition. He then tried pulling rank with some snotty remark about how long he was a vehicle collector and how many prizes he had won. If the guys commenting (including me) could top that. The MLU gang was not impressed and the new guy turned on his heels and moved out.

[Jordan Baker]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

As far as I am aware, Mr Duffy has bought and sold numerous other armoured vehicles. He has been a big proponent of the Ontario Regiment Museum and raised its profile head-and-shoulders above its previous levels. Let's not forget just how much good he's done for the hobby. As I mentioned above when I visited the very impressive collection, I was informed that the two pieces were by then acknowledged as not original.

Yes he has done, as Executive Director, a lot to help raise the profile of this museum a lot compared to where it had been years ago. That is not disputed.

However, perhaps these purchases are done as a way to get substantial tax receipts from the museum to go towards reducing his personal income tax obligations to CRA. I have no issues with Mr Duffy. From all I have heard is a standup guy.

It’s the corporate attitude of this museum that has shifted and become arrogant and “the only ones in town” when in fact they aren’t. The PR guy Tank Museum Guy/Jeremy Neal Blowers consistently posts half truths on Facebook and in the media about their armour. He arrogantly tried to tell me about the intricacies of importing armour. He must have realized his arrogance because he deleted that comment but not before I had a screen shot it. Mr Blowers has also blocked me from commenting on his Tank Museum Guy page.

It’s a great system that’s been setup with this museum, buy armour, get it written off with tax receipts, have it stored at a museum inside, have 150 volunteers rebuild and keep the maintenance on them and then you get to drive them anytime you want.

[Michael R.]

I am jealous! Kudos to Alan Duffy and those well intentioned museum volunteers who stay above the fray. Your positive contributions do not go unnoticed.

Hands down, it is greatest tracked military vehicle show in Canada.

Contrary to current advertising, it is not the only place in Canada for tank and other tracked vehicle rides, for a fee or not. For example, the Niagara military group and their partnership with Parks Canada at the annual ‘Timelines’ event, thanks to RustyLinc, stout yeoman, and volunteers. Also the former SOMM events, thanks to Mr. Bottoms, et al. Looking west, the McMichael benefit event as another example.

The ONTar museum is a wonderful use of private donations of money, equipment and time coupled with Canadian taxpayer dollars to fund the history and heritage of the CAF. All in all, a top notch effort with a few hiccups along the way, perhaps guided by what appears to have been a somewhat insular Corporate culture? The show must go on. Looking forward, learning and building on difficult lessons of the past.

Keep up the good work, to everyone participating in both private and public ventures. Like it or not, we are all in this together.

As an old friend often said: “cheer up, things could be worse...”. Just look at recent Orders in Council. Who and what is next?



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