1st Hussars and Holy Roller & Perry Kitson

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by James P

I doubt it also but anything is possible. Which rises the larger question, leaving aside the Mowat shipment of captured equipment, what all did the Government of Canada bring back to Canada ?? Seems "Old Reliable" was a private purchase/shipment to Canada by SAR members was Bomb and Holy Roller returned at public expense or the same by private return ? Did Bomb and Holy Roller come to Canada together ? was there other pieces of equipment sent to Canada ?

Read more about the war trophies brought back to Canada here:

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...5027#post15027

[James P]

And another piece of Canadian wartime history that deserves better treatment then what it is subjected to currently.

https://www.mapleleafup.nl/cmpvehicl..._vi_recce.html

[Perry Kitson]

I have sat back and kept my mouth shut about this project, but it is now at a fork in the road where either the project managers and city can be convinced to do the right thing and restore this historic machine, or condemn it to the fate now chosen for it. I have not been given the opportunity to plead the case for restoration to the city or project managers. If you want to see a better outcome for this tank, please call/email the city of London and the project managers to voice your opinion.
https://www.holyrollermemorial.ca/

[Stewart Loy]

Originally Posted by Perry Kitson

If you want to see a better outcome for this tank, please call/email the city of London and the project managers to voice your opinion. https://www.holyrollermemorial.ca/

Perry,

I went to the website and voiced my support for a better fate for this significant piece of armour.

It deserves better than a new paint job and rusting in place.

Thanks for your efforts.


Stewart

[Ed Storey]

The tank certainly deserves a better place, but the question is, where should it go?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Is there any more information to determine if the money being spent matches the effort being expended? Is it a $250,000 paint job?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I agree that ideally, for long term preservation, it should be brought undercover. However, a tank sitting outside as part of a memorial has a function and a certain attraction. The same sort of debate is ongoing about the Sherman V at Westkapelle.

Talking from experience (though that is dated), a budget of CAD 250k and volunteer labour should enable a full restoration to running order. A cosmetic / static restoration costs far less as worn out bearings, road wheels, springs, tracks can be (re-)used and engine(s) and other interior components can be left out.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Is there any more information to determine if the money being spent matches the effort being expended? Is it a $250,000 paint job?

Compared with the €1,000,000 budget for the restoration of the Tiger tank at Vimoutiers, the Canadian quote sounds like a steal…

“Vimoutiers. Un million d'euros pour restaurer le char Tigre”
https://actu.fr/normandie/vimoutiers..._45432774.html

6FE0BDF2-5BC5-4BEF-AE92-A3AACA7C3778.jpg

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by Perry Kitson

I have sat back and kept my mouth shut about this project, but it is now at a fork in the road where either the project managers and city can be convinced to do the right thing and restore this historic machine, or condemn it to the fate now chosen for it. I have not been given the opportunity to plead the case for restoration to the city or project managers. If you want to see a better outcome for this tank, please call/email the city of London and the project managers to voice your opinion.
https://www.holyrollermemorial.ca/

I'm going to echo what Perry has stated. Action not words.