Year of the Tracked Vehicle (Corowa 08)

[Keith Webb]

It was seriously hot there but this is an excalibur moment from the murky waters of the Murray River - not sure who the hand belonged too but it sort of sums it up. I reckon he had the right idea.

My biggest problem was time, batteries, stock and the heat and dust - there were MANY things I wanted to cover, one of the main ones being the Stuart action on the arena but after doing the segment on the T34 I was out of battery, stock and moisture.

[alexmacca30]

This is definately a member of Section 8 and my guess (well educated) says it would be Bruce McCanns hand. I would have liked to have spent moire time in there myself. The heat was not the most pleasant part of the event this year.

[Rusty]

Well at 0800 every day this devel turned up in a spitfire replica and buzed the camp for 5 minutes. Sure beat old Allan blowing his horn while wearing a smudged pair of Y fronts first thing in the morning.

[Rusty]

How about a jet powered Blitz, at 1/2 throttle this guy gets to 200km.
Tell you what I reckon no one is posting many images because they are completly shagged from the heat that we all endured for 5 days. This is my second night home and I am still recovering from the drive home which took 100 litres of fuel in the truck and 15 litres of water that I needed to drink just to stay hydrated.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Rusty

How about a jet powered Blitz, at 1/2 throttle this guy gets to 200km.
Tell you what I reckon no one is posting many images because they are completly shagged from the heat that we all endured for 5 days.

There is more to this story that is not yet being revealed, perhaps time will tell....? Maybe no-body is posting images because we haven't all got out of the Lock-up ,yet?
I thought the most interesting comment was from the POLICEMAN (!!), who during the "Emergency Services participation moment of 2008", said "Well it's not just a Gas BBQ, is it Sport?" I don't know if he was referring to the "Emergency Services participation moment of 2007", or was discussing the finer details of using Afterburners in town limits during a total fire ban.
Rod Diery might have some good night time shots of that stunning display.

[Tony Smith]

But, fun times were had by all, wether you were at the Caravan Park or the Airport.
Much money changed hands during the week, from the unfettered access to Toole's Disposals warehouse (aka Aladin's Cave of goodies) to small deals over a beer in the Campsite. THEN, there was the swapmeet on Saturday. The Govt will have to work out a way to tax all this.

This 2pdr Carrier sold to a new owner. Without the 2pdr gun on the back, it was a little unbalanced and was travelling around with a load of CMP transfer cases in the back as ballast! Try that in the family sedan.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Some outstanding pics so far - keep them coming! I'm going to be stealing selections from these for the website as time goes on, to compliment the 50-off pics I've already received in email! I'll give you credit where I can...

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

There is more to this story that is not yet being revealed, perhaps time will tell....? Maybe no-body is posting images because we haven't all got out of the Lock-up ,yet?
I thought the most interesting comment was from the POLICEMAN (!!), who during the "Emergency Services participation moment of 2008", said "Well it's not just a Gas BBQ, is it Sport?" I don't know if he was referring to the "Emergency Services participation moment of 2007", or was discussing the finer details of using Afterburners in town limits during a total fire ban.
Rod Diery might have some good night time shots of that stunning display.

Love the comment! However it turns out it was only a total fire ban on the Victorian side of the border which somewhat defused the situation.

[Richard Farrant]

I found a link about Corowa on ABC Goulburn Murray radio station website. There are photos, story and recorded interview with Jan and Ian, done earlier in the week. Very good, and authentic sound effects in the background

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/...13/2188232.htm

[Jan Thompson]

Vehicle List:
2 Stuart Tanks
4 M113’s
1 M748 Tracked Rapier Launcher
1 T34 Tank
3 ½ Tracks
12 Machine Gun Carriers
1 M8 Greyhound
1 Linn Catruck
1 White Scout Car
2.5 Ford Blitzes (1 Rolls Royce Viper powered, 1 cab only)
6 Chev Blitzes
1 Chev Truck
33 Ford Jeeps
25 Willys Jeeps
23 Land Rovers
12 Austin Champs
10 Dodge Weapons Carriers
1 Vauxhall Sedan
1 Toyota Weapons Carrier
3 Studebakers
3 Ferret Scout Cars
1 Dodge Carryall
1 Dodge M37
1 Kubelwagen
1 Pontiac Ute
1 Chev Ridemaster Staff Car
1 Chev Panel Van
1 Toyota Troopie Landcruiser
1 GPA
1 International Mark 5 Wrecker
1 International Truck Mark 1
1 Nash sedan
1 Holden FB utility
1 Humvee
1 Hummer Replica
1 Fargo
1 Kaiser Wrecker
1 NM Mack
1 Nissan Navara
1 Mercedes Unimog
1 BSA B40 motor cycle
2 Harley Davidson Motor Cycles
1 Harley Davidson with Sidecar
1 BSA WM20 with sidecar
1 Yamaha Motor Cycle
1 BMW Replica
1 Matchless Motor Cycle
1 BSA Motor Cycle
3 BSA pushbikes
1 BSA WM20
1 International Tractor

Aircraft list:
90% Scale Spitfire (Mike O'Sullivan)
T6 Harvard (Doug Hamilton)
P-40 Kittyhawk (Allan Arthur)

This brings the total to 179 vehicles and 3 aircraft.

That is SO cool to read the story and I was delighted to hear Jan and Ian's voices talking about the vehicles and event. Ah shucks .... wish I coulda bin there too but am glad you all got there and glad to read the stories and see the photos

Ma Kartmann

[alexmacca30]

I have to agree, the replica Spitfire made an excellent alarm clock. Far better than the usual bugle call, the Spitfires engine is actually in tune.

[alexmacca30]

Here's some pics. We don't have many as my wonderful wife took mostly video.

[Ian Pullen]

Well, it's over for another year. On behalf of the organising committee I would like to thank everyone who attended and participated.

We had over 175 vehicles entered this year which is a record. At the rate it is growing we should break the 200 mark next year. although the theme is the Year of the Blitz and Amphibian, please do not feel locked in to bringing these vehicles only. This is merely a theme. We welcome any and ALL ex military vehicles. With the success of the past weekend still ringing in our ears, we have been promised some armour again for next year.

The main feed back from this year was that it was more of an actual event, with virtually ALL the vehicles remaining in location for many hours.

The swap meet seemed a huge success with everyone as well. Although there was not as much shade as Bangarang Park, this was more than offset by the additional room for stall holders an addition to the ability to get vehicles in and around plus the multitudes of extra people that were at the venue.

Our thanks to the staff at the Corowa Jump Shak who had people jumping from aircraft at regular intervals, the Warbirds who did numerous fly bys and the AFVs who took turns in the arena. There was something happening at all times.

I think that the T34 was a highlight for many. It is the only one in the country and it would be the only chance for many people to see one let alone hear it running.

I have to say that I have a huge sense of pride that I was lucky enough to be part of the crew that brought that very vehicle to the event. I do not want to take anything from the others who brought vehicles. I thank Tim Scriven for letting me drive his M3 Stuart. This was a first for me and a memory I will cherish. There certainly was a huge scope in the variety of vehicles that came.

Again I cannot thank the committee and entrants enough for their efforts. Here's looking forward to next year......