CWM visit

Bob Phillips · #1 15-04-12, 20:01

Just a thought about private collections- the first private collection that I really got familiar with was Bill Greggs collection. He was the first, to proceed on a systematic and well funded effort to preserve Canadian vehicle history. There were probably lots of things wrong with his restored vehicles - but that hardly matters - he probably did more as an individual for promoting an interest in this area than anyone else. Many years ago Brian Asbury and I were visting an MV meet in California, and a fellow came up to look at some #19 set parts we had. He invited us to stop by and see his few vehicles on out way back up to San F. Little did we know when we pulled up to the gates of the estate overlooking the Bay it was to be our introduction to Jacques Littlefield. He had only a few armoured vehicles but it was his passion. He showed us many other things he enjoyed( model railroads, a huge custom built pipe organ etc) We visited for a few hours and he toured us around his estate- a truly nice guy with an interest we all shared. The difference of course is when you combine the passion and the financial means to persue it..details count and it shows in the final result.

chris vickery · #2 15-04-12, 23:04

It appears, that I have opened the proverbial Pandora's Box on this issue, and it seems, I do not have any allies...

At any rate, as an example, I would not go on eBay and try to sell a War of 1812 tunic and call it "original" if I went and sewed on a few modern buttons- collectors would hang me for misrepresentation, fraud etc. I look towards my passion of MV restorations in the same light I guess and I hold higher authority to a much more rigid standard.

Maybe I am an undercover member of the "Jeep Police"?

jason meade · #3 16-04-12, 03:29

Yep Terry I am Here,...just lurking around. I think I will pull up beside Robin and see who like to hear there own voice...lol
Terry if your talking about the m-38a1 with the 106RR on it, its now gone into storage,We are still renovating the the museum with new displays yet to be put togeather.
I finally did get that M-109A4, as you can see in the photo.

As for me opening my mouth on here about vech collections its not worth it, I have 70 plus in running condition with a 30,000.00 budget per year, so very little can be done, and volunteers really are just a joke, dont get me wrong there are alot of great guys out there willing to help out, but even more who just want a spare part for there own collection.

As you can see i have almost blown my budget for this year, The old days of getting Maintance to do the work are long over, If you want to play you got to pay.
However some will say why bother having them if ya cant look after them, will my answer is simple,If i dont get it, You all will never see it.

easo · #4 16-04-12, 06:30

G'day all, I put a bit of my time here at the Puckapunyal Tank Museum and for us a restoration of even a cosmetic standard takes a few years. They do get a lot of people who criticise the state or layout of some vehicles or displays, however maintaining a Museum is not high on Defences budget. At the end of the day we solider on and continue to maintain items, currently our Light Horse Rail Carriage is getting all of the attention.

I would like to visit the CWM one day. Any chance of some piccys for us who have never been???

My 2 cents, Easo

Little Jo · #5 16-04-12, 07:05

Hi Guys

Very interesting thread and some great comments. I thought that I would add my bit. I heard on the radio this morning after visiting my mate Salesman Bob, that the Federal Government have just announced they are giving $21 Million Dollars to the Canberra War Museum to upgrade their WW1 display. Sorry guys nothing for vehicles.

Cheers

Tony

Ed Storey · #6 16-04-12, 11:40

Chris, I certainly agree with your point that even when in a museum you have to be cautious of the accuracy of the material. I know that there is the common perception that what is presented in a museum is 100% accurate but unfortunately this is not the case as errors do crop up. The challenge is getting these errrors corrected.

With respect to your comment about the C15AA in the CWM collection, I agree that there are probably better C15TA restorations in public hands, but the C15AA on display is the only one of its kind and came from the John Marchant collection in England.

Robin Craig · #7 16-04-12, 12:12

Chris,

from the vantage point of my sandbag I think peoples comments have been very reasonable and that you should not take any offence ( I didnt think you had), this is a forum and we are kicking a subject around out in the open for all of us to comment on just the way the forum was intended to be used.

Kind of like "due process"

R

chris vickery · #8 16-04-12, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

Chris, I certainly agree with your point that even when in a museum you have to be cautious of the accuracy of the material. I know that there is the common perception that what is presented in a museum is 100% accurate but unfortunately this is not the case as errors do crop up. The challenge is getting these errrors corrected.

Ed, you have summed up exactly my point, maybe a little more eloquently than myself.

Robin, no offense taken, of course, I appreciate a good debate.