Old army trucks never die

Press, 7 January 1987, Page 6

Old army trucks never die

A working retirement for old military vehicles is being planned by a Christchurch group. The Military Vehicle Recovery Group has been allocated 6ha of land at McLeans Island by the Christchurch Drainage Board. The group hopes to establish a working museum in a staged development on the land. Mr Bob Isles, the promotions manager for the

group, said the public would be able to see the vehicles working in their “natural environment” Most of the land is covered by gorse and the 20-member group is looking for help to get their project started. “We are looking for a sponsor or someone with a lot of money,” said Mr Isles.

As well as the museum, the group wants to build test tracks, pic-

nic spots, loading ramps and long-term storage on the land. Most of the vehicles already restored by the group have been found on farms.

“It’s amazing what some farmers have behind the hay shed. Most have no idea where they came from,” said Mr Isles. Some older farmers remember buying the vehicles from an Oamaru

car dealership, which had bought up most of the army surplus at the end of World War 11.

Among the vehicles restored by the group is one of two Guy Ants in New Zealand, which were used by British troops during the war. Among other vehicles are an Austin Champ, a Chevrolet truck and trailer, Jeeps and Land Rovers, and parts of a Bren-gun carrier.