Heads up - Awesome tanks
- Thread starter XRCD011
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The Panther is neat but it's a shame the restoration is somewhat tacky.
Here's a photo of how it originally looked:
And now:
But, at least it's indoors.
The two significant collections in the United States (Aberdeen and the Patton collection) have suffered from base realignment and closures, essentially the U.S Army spent the funds elsewhere (War on terror) and these collections have been split up and sit outdoors rotting away. I've heard a lot of tank historians say it's a national scandal how badly they've taken care of these artifacts down there. At least the CWM is keeping the tanks indoors but the museum still leaves a lot to be desired.
Regards,
-Steve
Here's a photo of how it originally looked:
And now:
But, at least it's indoors.
The two significant collections in the United States (Aberdeen and the Patton collection) have suffered from base realignment and closures, essentially the U.S Army spent the funds elsewhere (War on terror) and these collections have been split up and sit outdoors rotting away. I've heard a lot of tank historians say it's a national scandal how badly they've taken care of these artifacts down there. At least the CWM is keeping the tanks indoors but the museum still leaves a lot to be desired.
Regards,
-Steve
Never thought I would be shilling for the CWM but just a reminder fellow CGNrs about this week and the CWM running some of its vehicles. I had offered to trailer the schwimmwagen down for display and another fellow offered to bring one of his wartime jeeps (both vehicles high end restorations) but we got blown off by the CWM. We where not trying to steal the CWMs thunder but ad value to the days tanks display and all at our cost, zero cost to the CWM. Anyways they (CWM) will be doing their gig and if you are in town it may be worth checking out (even if the jeeps and schwim are not in attendance).
The Panther is neat but it's a shame the restoration is somewhat tacky.
Here's a photo of how it originally looked:
And now:
But, at least it's indoors.
The two significant collections in the United States (Aberdeen and the Patton collection) have suffered from base realignment and closures, essentially the U.S Army spent the funds elsewhere (War on terror) and these collections have been split up and sit outdoors rotting away. I've heard a lot of tank historians say it's a national scandal how badly they've taken care of these artifacts down there. At least the CWM is keeping the tanks indoors but the museum still leaves a lot to be desired.
Regards,
-Steve
I guess I have been out of touch but didn't know that Tiger had been moved from Worthington Park
Could well be looking at the post WW2 BD uniforms, the mound to the rear of the tank and what looks like a tank hangar in the backgrd. When I trained at the RCAC School in Borden 50 yrs ago there was a Panther front and center in the tank park/museum. Maj-Gen Worthington was still around too. As the father of the Armoured Corps, he was reviewing officer and guest of honour at the annual RCAC weekend parade and festivities. His driver from WW1 was there too driving him around in a restored WW1 MG carriage.
The Panther is neat but it's a shame the restoration is somewhat tacky.
Here's a photo of how it originally looked:
And now:
But, at least it's indoors.
The two significant collections in the United States (Aberdeen and the Patton collection) have suffered from base realignment and closures, essentially the U.S Army spent the funds elsewhere (War on terror) and these collections have been split up and sit outdoors rotting away. I've heard a lot of tank historians say it's a national scandal how badly they've taken care of these artifacts down there. At least the CWM is keeping the tanks indoors but the museum still leaves a lot to be desired.
Regards,
-Steve
Bit of an Aside.
What's the aircraft, near the ceiling ?Grizz
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The first watchword I learned to identify tanks was, WHAT. Wheels, Hull, Armament, Turret.
As for loans or donations, the artifact has to be appropriate for the mandate of the museum. There is no sense showing up at the doors of the local agriculture museum with armloads of Japanese Arisakas hoping to see them lovingly displayed next week. The artifact must be something they don't already have, something which is in desirable condition, and relevant to the museum.
As for loans or donations, the artifact has to be appropriate for the mandate of the museum. There is no sense showing up at the doors of the local agriculture museum with armloads of Japanese Arisakas hoping to see them lovingly displayed next week. The artifact must be something they don't already have, something which is in desirable condition, and relevant to the museum.
I was at Aberdeen 10 years ago and the state of the collection was... mixed. I understand the collection has been broken up somewhat and moved. I don't want to think about what 10 years of neglect has done to those tanks, some of which were unique.
I know of a few local older collectors, veterans and their families who have tried to donate what we here would consider to be very collectable and valuable wartime gear and weapons to the CWM only to be fobbed off that they don't want it or told there is no guarantee that they would keep it, or sell, trade it off for something they wanted.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It was sent to a high school for repair and restoration, I think.
The trouble with some collections is there are many hands involved. People get tired or have their differences, and they don't talk amongst themselves to know what is happening or why. Losing something is frankly implausible when even a stranger hundreds of miles away like me, know the story and even remember the newspaper clippings on-line. Left hand wasn't talking to right hand.
Wow that took me back a few years (WHAT) I taught HATS (Hull, Armament, Turret, Suspension) for armour and WEFT (Wings, Engine, Fuselage, Tail) for AC. Personally I think the CWM is failing in its mission due to bureaucratic malaise, shortsightedness and narrow vision, and reluctant to go much further then the day to day operations of showing up, unlocking the doors and turning the lights on. Of all the military museums I have been to in N.America and Europe I find the Canadian War Museum the most disappointing, I had hoped at its grand opening ten years ago it would be "world class" but a decade in its stalled in neutral and seems to have lost its way/mandate and vision.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Who decides its value? There was a tale that the family of Cree Sniper Peggy-a-ma-bow (sp?) offered the CWM 'his rifle'. Those people couldn't get on a plane fast enough. It was 'his' rifle but not his 'rifle'. The museum staff said their thanks and left with a very ordinary .303 hunting rifle not a highly coveted sniper rifle.
I must come back to the question of what make the collection valuable or important. All 12 variations of something is nice, but what does it mean to the public or the museum. The staff might smile and say thank you, knowing full well that the donation is headed either to the auction block or the dumpster.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Yup! They count success not in profound knowledge or understanding, but in feet over the threshold. Nothing breeds contempt for change like the appearance of success. Detroit's car makers made that mistake.
