1) One of your more recent additions to your collection is the Sherman Bulldozer, what is the origin and history of the vehicle?

      The Sherman is a 105mm composite hull with radial engine.  It appears to be a tank that was supplied to the Israeli Defence Force in 1948.  I don’t believe it saw any combat and was used for making runways and clearing obstacles.  It is in fine condition and totally complete.  One of the rarer Shermans in my collection which now totals 16 variants.

2) You have finished restoring a Panther, and have released the Research Squad book on the subject, yet it seems you are restoring another. What is the reason behind this, is it a different variant, or is it a fairly complete one that needs little work to complete?

      We have not, as yet, finished restoring our Panther but getting close, possibly April/May next year.   We have 3 Panthers in the collection, 2 are D’s and 1 an A.  They were built by different manufacturers at slightly different times during the war and all have a unique character of their own.  It is my intention to restore all three.  None were any more complete than the others and have involved a lot of time scouring Europe for parts.

3) One of your future projects is the King Tiger, which has got to be one of my all time personal favourites for various reasons. How difficult has it been to source the spares for its restoration and what percentage of it remains to be sourced?

         The King Tiger is also my personal favourite for various reasons, mostly because of size, its relative simplicity compared to Panther and other vehicles, all go to make it an interesting vehicle.  It is fairly difficult to find spares but I have been helped by many people who believe in my determination to build this tank.  Without their help I could not go forward.  This will be my next long term project and over and above anything else is the one I will see through to the end.

4) What is your personal favourite in your collection, and what is the one vehicle you would like to acquire?

.         I think my reply to Q3 answers Q4.  King Tiger is my all-time favourite.  There are many vehicles I wish to acquire to complete the collection and to say another favourite is difficult, but I have a weakness for German armoured cars and this is something I am intending to address.

5) What do you find most satisfying, finding the vehicle for restoration, or completing the rebuild?

         I find the discovery of a vehicle and its acquisition to be the most satisfying.  I love to search and to be involved in the vehicles rebuild, and of course it is exciting to see it finished.  So really there are three reasons and it is difficult to say which would be the most satisfying.

6) You have recently taken delivery of 40 crates of spares. Do you know what is in the crates before they arrive or is it a mystery until delivery?

         Concerning deliveries of parts for our spares mountain.  These happen on a regular basis.  We usually know exactly what we have bought but from time to time there are a few hidden surprises. 

7) Have you started work on the Terrapin yet? How difficult has it been to source the spares for it? Do you have access to another to compare?

         Work has been steady on the Terrapin and some of the missing parts were included with the vehicle.  She is now basically complete and in very very good condition.  Parts have not been too difficult to find as they used many standard production items.  I don’t have access to another one but know of remnant of three and believe all three would not make a vehicle again.  So unless someone can prove me wrong mine seems to be the sole survivor. 

8) You have people all over Europe sourcing parts for you. How do you manage to get people to sell you items, as they must realise the price is theirs to command, especially in the limited and dwindling supply of WW2 vehicles.

         There are good honest dealers and there are greedy dealers.  I have been lucky as everyone I have dealt with has remained a friend and some I will continue dealing with in the future.  If someone is difficult or greedy I tend to walk away even if I need the part as there is always someone else. 

9)Have you ever considered adding WW1 vehicles to your collection? If not, why not?

         I have considered adding WWI vehicles to the collection and already have one or two horse drawn vehicles and field artillery.  WWI vehicles are not common as you can imagine.  I would only add to my collection if they were used in WWII simply because if I wish to complete my collection as I originally envisaged I need to remain totally focused.  

10)Occasionally we see reports of tanks being pulled out of swamps and rivers in Eastern Europe. Do you have any part in their recovery or get the chance to purchase them?

       I have been involved in many recovery operations of vehicles all over the world and find this extremely satisfying.   I have also managed to purchase vehicles that have been recovered from swamps and rivers, in particular my Mercedes Benz 12-ton half track and Stug III to name a couple. 

11) Do you have any plans to acquire any more of the Tiger tank family, like the Sturm Tiger or the Jagd Tiger?

.        Of course my dream is always to find more of everything, in particular the Tiger family, if it were possible.  There are a lot of swamps out there and who knows something may turn up one day.

12) What other vehicles occupy your collection apart from the military ones?

        Again, I think I have answered this question.  I remain very focused on completing my WWII collection so tend not to let other things tempt me from this path. 

13) An unusual car in the collection is the Trippel SG6. Most people wouldn’t have heard of one, what are they?

        The Trippel amphibian was created by Hans Trippel as an alternative to the VW166 Schwimmwagen.  They made very few, less than 1,000, but in reality far better than the 166.  As the car was not widely known or used it stayed in the shadow of the VW.  The collection now boasts four examples, all different.   I personally know of about 14 survivors including my 4.  

14)Another unusual item in the collection is a V1 launch ramp. This must be one of a kind surely, as most of them were surely destroyed by the allies. Do you know of any more inexistence, where did it come from and how did you come to acquire it?

       The V1 launch ramps are unusual and this is why I purchased them.  I actually acquired 9 sets and have traded off 8 sets to other collectors for museums.  Most of these are now displayed around the world.  My set is the most complete and most intact and it is my ambition one day to build this outside my museum.

15) Do you have any swapping of information or parts with the Sdkfz Foundation?

        I have worked with the Sdkfz Foundation in the past, as I have with many other similar groups and individuals.  I think it very important that we all go forward so everybody gains.

16) Lastly, the question that everyone likes to know. Do you have any plans to open to the public?!

        Of course the collection is not just for my own private pleasure, it is also to share with the public and ultimately I would like to open the doors.  Where, when and how still remains a mystery even to me but watch this space!