Littlefield Collection & Auction

[Phil Waterman]

Hi All

The Littlefield collection is going to the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts which already has a collection of Aircraft, as to being accessible to the public they will have to make major infrastructure changes make it possible for the public to get to the museum. Local grapevine is saying the power behind the foundation would like to make it more accessible but the location is basically land locked and would need new roads built.

Though the Foundation's aircraft have a very extensive airshow schedule the actual museum is only open to the public 3-4 days a month 5 months of the year, by invitation. Basically it is no more accessible to the public than the Littlefield Collection was in California.

Cheers Phil

[Andrew]

This makes me wonder what deals have been made to get them and why they are being moved.

On a side note, how did Littlefield get his millions?

Andy

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi All

the actual museum is only open to the public 3-4 days a month 5 months of the year, by invitation. Basically it is no more accessible to the public than the Littlefield Collection was in California.

Cheers Phil

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Andy

I've heard exactly how he got his start but can not remember the product, but it was in early days of electronics in the Boston area. Over the next couple of months I'll probably hear more, as some of the people involved in moving the collection are long time Military Vehicle people in the New England area.

Problem with the museums location is it on basically a narrow residential road.

Cheers Phil

[Rillette]

Mr. Littlefield was born into wealth. His great-grandfather having founded the Utah Construction Co., which helped build the Hoover and Grand Coulee dams. His father oversaw a 1976 merger with General Electric Co. that made him a member of the Forbes 400 Richest People in America.

From:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...95854437558427

Cheers,
FX Dutoy

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Andrew

This makes me wonder what deals have been made to get them and why they are being moved.

Isn't this the classic case of the family getting rid of the "junk that dad collected"? Not wanting to sound harsh, but often when an avid collector passes away the family gets rid of the collection because they have no interest in it or simply need money.....

H.

[Dianaa]

I guess the one good thing is that dad's stuff isn't going to the scrappers and some people with an interest may be able to buy one of the vehicles at auction.

It seems to me that very few vehicle museums keep the vehicles on the road, like many aircraft museums do, so our only hope is the few places like Bovington or private entusiasts who get them out to display.

[Ed Storey]

We know where the vehicles are going, but what happened to his staff of about a half-dozen or so people who worked on the AFVs and kept them running?

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Ed

Strange that was my first thought as well, I had seen a program on the restoration process and was impressed with restoration team.

But as I have heard someone from the New England end of tank restoration has gotten the contract to go out and get all of the tanks running and prepare for shipping the ones which are coming to Collings Foundation. I suspect that the Littlefield restoration team has already gone elsewhere. The move process will take place over the next two years as Collings Foundation plan to build a new facility, the question is will it be next to the existing facility or in a more accessible location.

Cheers Phil

[George McKenzie]

I have a large collection of machines ,over 150 and am no spring chicken any more So what to do ? My family don't want it .Museums aren't a safe place to keep thing together as they can be sold too .I guess that makes more toys for the boys

[Chuck Anderson]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi All

The Littlefield collection is going to the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts which already has a collection of Aircraft, as to being accessible to the public they will have to make major infrastructure changes make it possible for the public to get to the museum. Local grapevine is saying the power behind the foundation would like to make it more accessible but the location is basically land locked and would need new roads built.

Though the Foundation's aircraft have a very extensive airshow schedule the actual museum is only open to the public 3-4 days a month 5 months of the year, by invitation. Basically it is no more accessible to the public than the Littlefield Collection was in California.

Cheers Phil

It might be a little more accessible in one regard. The high-end neighborhood where Jaques had his home & collection wasn't designed for business traffic, let alone moving multi-ton armored vehicles up and down the narrow streets. They would have to close down the streets on moving day. I know the neighbors won't be sorry to see it all go (once its over, that is).