For some years now the Sandstone Heritage Trust has worked closely with the Armour Museum in Bloemfontein to identify historically significant Classic Military vehicles to rescue them and to restore them to working order. From time to time special events are held which showcase these vehicles to the general public. This is in line with the Defence Force's desire to be seen as a valuable contributor to society in many different ways. We are currently working on an expansion of our relationship with the museum and this will be reflected in more news on Classic Military Vehicles on our web site.
Our pictures give an indication of the vehicles which are jointly owned and operated by the School of Armour and in association with our Narrow Gauge railway and in association with some of South Africa's top vintage and classic aircraft, many of which have a military origin. Our photographs show both a Tiger Moth and a pair of Harvards which joined us recently for one of our joint military vehicle displays. It is our intention to further develop our relationship with organisations such as the Harvard Club of South Africa and the Tiger Moth Club of South Africa.
As we sift through the many pictures sent to us of all the different items that were on display and on patrol during the Cosmos Festival in 2008, we are occasionally struck by a picture that really gives one a wake-up call. This evocative picture of the Mk IV Sherman in action certainly rates a second look.
The Mk IV Sherman, which does not come out every day, was put through its paces a few days ago at Sandstone Estates in the Eastern Free State.
We were asked by the authorities to prepare a report on the border road which had fallen in to disuse and the Sherman was the best equipped machine on the farm to cope with the challenge and in any event it is the policy of the Sandstone Heritage Trust to use everything and to ensure that everything is kept in running order.
The Sherman heads out through the wheat lands for the border
Heritage - News
21st December 2007, updated 6th January 2008, 25th February 2008, 18th March 2008, 11th April 2008
To see this tank in action come to the Steam & Cosmos Festival 2008.
Andy Selfe says, " This book is highly to be recommended for anybody with an interest in this subject. It covers the history from the beginnings of Tank development and has one A-Z up to 1945 and another from that date to the present, from which the scans below are typical examples. www.lorenzbooks.com "
The Mk IV Sherman Tank that was made available by the South African Defence Force School of Armour in Bloemfontein and which has been undergoing major reengineering work for the last 8-months is now mobile. The following report has come in from Jan Fouche who is in charge of the restoration team.
Heritage - News
22nd August 2007
In a joint cooperative exercise between the School of Armour in Bloemfontein and the Sandstone Heritage Trust, an M4 Sherman is steadily being rebuilt as an exhibition vehicle to offer an opportunity to the public to see what the best of the best classic military fighting vehicles from the Second World War era looked like.
Last year we announced the fact that we had located a Oshkosh Tank Transporter in a scrap yard near Johannesburg. This item was duly moved to our Military Vehicle restoration facility where work has commenced. Jan Fouche and his team have given us the first update...
Battery box badly rusted and bent
All parts to be rechromed loaded and off to Jhb
Removing gear to stip winch
Rear winch roller removed
Rear end with roller removed
Rear end showing damaged roller and plates
Radiator showing visible leaks
Radiator connect hose showing sludge when removed
Radiator and front bumper removed
Pieces of broken teeth removed from winch gearbox casing
Old hoodlining removed
New airsprings received
Grillpiece to be re-chromed
Fuel tank being cleaned
Fuel gauge removed to repair
Front of truck after being stripped
Front fender badly rusted
Bonnet rusted and section to be replaced
Doorpanels removed and windows removed
Cab interior being stripped to rewire
Cab front showing rust and damage to bonnet mounts
Winch spiral showing damaged teeth
Winch showing oil leak
Winch drum after some cleaning
Winch being stripped to remove broken particles
Right hand step plate rusted and needs to be replaced
Removing rust from fuel tank
Aircleaner removed showing rusted mounting points
Our relationship with the School of Armour Bloemfontein continues to go from strength to strength.
Once again the Sandstone Heritage Trust has supported the School of Armour at the prestigious annual Bloemfontein Show. This year we sent an 88 mm Anti-Aircraft Gun and a Moffel. This is the Police version of the famous Buffel which demonstrated such versatility and reliability in Angola in South West Africa during the conflict years.
Here is a report from Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Hohls of the School of Armour Museum in Bloemfontein...
