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Jacques Littlefield Military Vehicle Collection. Page 1 of 3
On 28 November 2003, as I was reading through the ...
On 28 November 2003, as I was reading through the pages of The New York Times, I came upon a fascinating and intriguing article written by Ms. Patricia Leigh Brown. Ms. Brown wrote a human interest story about an individual who collects and restores tanks and other military vehicles. As I read the article I became aware that the collector, Mr. Jacques Littlefield, lives in Portola Valley, California, which is about 50 miles from my home.
I contacted Mr. Littlefield by e-mail, and requested permission to visit his unique collection of military equipment. Mr. Littlefield responded to my request and he invited me to join a small group of people who would view his collection on 20 December 2003. The tour was scheduled to commence at 10 a.m., and the tour guide would be Mr. Michael Green, a respected author of military books that are specific to tanks and other military vehicles.
I arrived at Mr. Littlefield's 470 acre ranch at 9:45 a.m. I proceeded to drive to his 10,000 square foot vehicle restoration facility, the designated arrival location on his ranch. Upon my arrival, I saw two self-propelled assault guns sitting outside the vehicle restoration facility awaiting restoration. At that time I knew immediately that I was about to view something special and something that I had never seen before.
I have been a student of World War II for many years, particularly the battles on the Eastern Front, or as the Russians call it, "The Great Patriotic War." I am familiar with many of the weapons and vehicles used during that bloody conflict. Unfortunately, pictures in military history books, many of which are of poor quality, were the only visual representation I had of the weapons and vehicles used during World War II. That all changed after viewing the Jacques Littlefield military vehicle collection.
Mr. Littlefield's collection can not be described easily in words or truly appreciated in photographs. Suffice it to say that his collection is awesome and magnificent. I had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Littlefield, and he is a gracious and helpful gentleman.
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
Sorry for the large sizes, but the resolution makes the size imperative.
Anybody want more?
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
"Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
Sir Winston Churchill
"To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today"
Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
What? No comments? You ungrateful SOBs. Alright this one is for me then. Me. The solopsist.
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
Thank you, note how rough is the cast steel surface in the T-34 side turret armor. A real bullet trap. they made it fast and cheap there is no doubt about it.
Has anyone ever wondered about the T-34 track? It looks like it would be less then exemplary for traction. The tread looks typical Soviet expediency for manufacture, but not the best for actual operations.
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
I won't even pretend I know much about armored vehicles, but I am in awe of his collection. The Panzer Mk IV is great, the Sherman, the T-34. The rest I don't know about.
Any idea what his collection is worth? One thing about collecting tanks.....who the hell can steal them????
And I'm wondering about the costs to ship them to his remote location. That alone is a mint.
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
__________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
