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Happy New Year all! Recovering from Cervical spine surgery, in my Bunker in Sunol Cal. Wishing you all, the best for the New Year! Happy collecting! (smiling through the pain! lol)

I picked up this can for cheap awhile back, had a split seam in the front and an ugly coat of "baby jobby" green (only way I can describe it. ) So I decided to try my had at Brazing/welding. After a little work I got a satisfactory bond, I smoothed it out with a grinding wheel on my Dremel tool. And repainted can in German Field grey .

Guys, as stated above.

Guys, This short engagement was recorded in the Ulrich Saft book Kriege in der heimat. These photos were taken post war by a young boy that used to play on the wrecked tanks, what a play ground he had! He is now in his 80s and has recently rediscovered these pictures taken before 1949 but after the war. It shows two of the tanks from the battle although he tells me there were 3 British tanks in a row in column of march and they were destroyed on the North South road that goes past the Hotel Kroepke which is still there today. those tanks were on the road circa 3 to 400m South of the hotel just before the slight bend in the road. The Tiger was further South and I will confirm the locations later. The flak was to the North East of the road described above. The old boy (Albert) has offered to walk the locations with me but he is not in the best of health. I will do it as soon as I and he can. Rich

It's gone quiet on The forum again! Where is everyone?? Well, I will be the 1st to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and Holiday season! Cheers all!!

Guys, been a bit busy and a lot drunk. back to work now! Hope to post more this year, got a few leads to chase down but time is always flying by unfortunately. Best Rich

Hi Does anyone know of a collection of the 8th Army News? My Grandfather appeared in an edition once when, as part of Operation Market Garden. Was photographed handing out chocolate to children from his Bren Carrier. I would be really interested in seeking out if there is a collection of photos that were taken at the same time in case there are any others with my Grandfather in them. I have looked on-line but only come across the same one each time. Any help or advice would be very much appreciated. I have attached the photo below for those interested. My Grandfather is the one sitting in the middle at the back with his goggles pulled up. I love this photo. Regards Ben

I love rock and roll! Let's jam! R.

Hi, I have already learnt something. So the "turtle" helmet shape, of which this of that style isn't it? Was issued as early as WWII. I never knew that. Looking at the elastic version of the chinstrap compared to the later webbing type it does make sense. I have never owned one as the ones I usually come across are shells only and dated quite late. Now I know a little more about their history though they are more interesting. Great job on cleaning the paint off. Truly good work. thank you for sharing.

Only just joined and failed to see this string before asking a similarly related question concerning the state of health of the network. Having been collecting for many years now and, only just finding out about your network by accident. I would be absolutely devastated to find that I have been too late. Been reading some of the posts on the forums and this site definitely is required. Forums with like minded people; are for collectors like the AA are for alcoholics. Collecting is purely for the obsessive and no level of detail or breadth of knowledge can ever be too much. Military collecting is incredibly personal and there needs to be a plethora of sources available like yours. I am so excited that I cannot work out where to start with questions for anyone who is a collector of WW1 items. I was at the recent Detling Military Odyssey show and it certainly looked like collectors are still out there. I think that the Covid time drove a lot of collectors underground to internet only purchasing. I have certainly seen more people out and about in terms of meetings, fairs etc. So chin up and keep up the great work. Regards Camelspank aka Ben

BVK on his jacket, must have been some sort of civil servant post war. Rich

This appears to be an herringbone twill (HBT) weave, rather than the ribbed cotton weave that was used in the blue M41 Luftwaffe tropical tunic. The HBT version was originally issued as a work uniform rather than a combat or class "A" uniform. It consisted of a tunic and trousers of the Luftwaffe pattern. This was to save wear and tear on the wool uniform. It was quite popular and comfortable and, so, was worn in the field in temperate weather in place of the wool uniform. This uniform was replaced by the Reed Green cotton HBT uniform used by the Heer in September 1943. The M41 blue Luftwaffe ribbed cotton uniform was the official first tropical uniform. There are blue tropical long trousers, shorts, and a web belt. All very difficult to find. Here is link to my tunic. https://www.militariacollectors.network/forums/topic/1807-m41-luftwaffe-tropical-tunic/

Guys, as stated above.

Thank you for the explanation!

Sorry for his passing Rich. Thanks for sharing the story and the great photos!

Watch this space...

I recently picked up an SA dagger blade for quite cheap price. Got a piece together scabbard through trade(SS/SA/NSKK pieces), Have an SA grip and cross guards coming. It is a "Frankenstein's Monster" but will be nice for display and cheaply acquired ! I figure I am saving all these parts from a junk pile, lol Plus its fun to see the finished result.

I just have the 3 remaining patches. The top right is early theater made. These are 3 variations. I had quite a few at one time, including a MK II helmet with the flash.

I agree with @Richard Auld. I wish someone would write a book on reading and Id'ing the regiments .

He is a tight fit now on the window sill, only a year later, they grow so quick... He likes to swim, I don't hence Army not Navy... He is mental with water, no fear at all... Rich shaggy1.mp4 shaggy2.mp4

Gorgeous dog…

Not surprised to be honest.

Here he is, he is a little bugger but now a big bugger! That is him from 12 weeks until now, Liz had just done the cleaning when he came in looking like that and jumped on the bed, had to take him into work and that is him as a watch dog with P8A1 Included Daphne at the end looking like a dead chicken.

Yes but that is not a steady reference, I just don't understand how daft most on there are....

I am a great believer and advocate of "preservation".

I can say for certain, $40 was a good deal. Im thinking Korean or vietnam era due to web color and fittings but I am no expert either. There should be a maker/date stamp on the liner, under the crown webbing. Hope that helps. I am sure some of our US helmet collectors will chime in. At any rate the price was good.

Thanks! I try not to mess with stuff, but if its already altered I will try to make it right for Preservation sake.

I also miss the forums. There used to be TONS! Life is busy between my day job and music gigs at night - but I have started checking in when I can. I'm still here gentlemen - and I'm happy to spead the MCN work to get more 'recruits' on board. Cheers! Rob

Looking good @Afrikakorpsrat64 and as you say, if no original paint then why not?

It's amazing how good camera phones are these days... and I say that as a Professional Photographer.

I was a "Roadie" years back. Also good in a fight, I'm in!

I took these with my Samsung Galaxy S22 phone. has a great camera.

It’s an expensive business running a web forum and we’re still behind in raising money for the web hosting and forum licence costs. I've just paid the software licences for the forum again and pushing content on the website so I'm really trying to kick start the MCN again. If you’ve benefitted from the MCN, please consider donating… https://www.militariacollectors.network/donations/donate-to-the-mcn-2023/

I am a collector of all things WW1 and have a pretty healthy collection of items. Based in Surrey in England I am a member of the WFA as well as several WW1 war poet associations. I have previously given talks to Scouts and Guides groups on the Battle of the Somme. I have also presented on my personal experience of being a collector and all the plots and subterfuge involved in receiving items into your home with a wife who not all impressed with another piece of "WW1 Crap". Happy to help anyone struggling to identify something, requiring history of items, and due to my collection I can always post photos if that would help. I have items including; a water pump, screw pickets, rifles, bayonets, helmets, medals, postcards, recruitment posters, ordnance, swords, field gear, badges, manuals, newspapers, ammunition boxes and loads more. So feel free to ask me anything in case I have one and could help with identification, scale, history etc. I am an amateur historian who likes to actually hold the item in my hands and feel the weight, the material and the engineering. I know, speaking like a possessed person. Forgive me as I am excited to have found this website. regards Camelspank aka Ben

Ok, I know I've not been on and I'm the boss... but anyone still here?

Ive been AWOL for ages! i do apologies. Hope all well?

Yup.....the first "turtle" helmet was issued in '44 and I believe the only Canadian forces to be issued the Mk.III helmet were those involved in the Normandy landings. My example is the Mk.IV (used in Korea along with Mk.II's and also the US M1....so a real mishmash). My MK.Iv has a differeny chinstrap and liner to shell assembly. The chinstrap rivets are also higher up on the shell. The last model (Mk.V) was the same shell but with a different looking liner. Cheers! Rob

if you are careful and I mean you have to be really careful. There are some really good glues that you can apply these days that are used in museums for repairing and stopping stuff falling apart. The other option is find a local cobbler who usually do a lot of renovating or know master leather-workers. It is such a great item to own. I have a very worse for wear Rum bottle holder that has the owners name and regiment on the front, as well as brass plate with "RUM" stamped into it. It is completely unrepairable due to it having been sat on its side in water for a long time and then dried out causing the leather to dry to a crisp on the lid and one side of the flask. So I have applied the TRG to it and left it alone other than that. It is a very interesting item that is so obviously personal. I have struggled to find the owner so far though. Just an example of when something cannot be reversed so you just want to stop the rot as it were.

I've been building and painting again This time I present you with two aircraft, both 1:48th scale. B17 Flying Fortress and a B25 Mitchell. Both were made by Revell and, as hinted at by their price tag (less than £30 each), were pretty bloody awful to make. The B25 wasn't too bad, but the B17 required lots of modification and the model didn't include parts to build the aircraft with wheels up, hence there was a lot of cursing, application of filler, swearing, re-application of filler, and general mayhem until I was happy with the result. Oh, and the instructions for the B17 were also terrible, and a lot of parts had to be guessed at as to how they fitted together!! After painting they have turned out pretty good Only problem I now have is I have no ceiling space left !!!

By the way.....this is what it looked like when I got it. Someone had painted this on the rear (probably thinking it was the front). Using acetone, cotton swabs and water, I was able to get this writing off. Happy with the end result. I think it's safe to assume that this was not related in any way to the military? Rob

Hi All, I am looking for help in securing a Livens Projectile tube for my collection. I have had issues with people letting me down when using shops (on-line and off). Anyone out there who knows of anyone looking to get rid of one please do let me know. I am based in the South of England in Surrey if anyone local is out there? Ben

I too am still here - but not as often as I used to. I apologise for the on and off again see-saw. Once I retire in a couple years - time will be on my side......I hope. Cheers everyone! Rob

Me

THE HELMET ITSELF IS GOOD, HOWEVER I DON'T WANT TO SAT OK ON THE DECAL. NOT SAYING IT IS REPRO BUT, IN TODAY MARKET THERE ARE WAY TO MANY FAKES PASSED AROUND. BEST TO WAIT FOR OTHER COMMENTS TO CHIME IN. IF I MAY ASK- WHERE WAS IT FOUND?

Well just signed up to this forum, have been a collector since a kid, interested in all aspects of collecting main areas are post 1945 - 1960 Malaya etc. Allan

Shown the pics to the German EOD types and none have seen anything of that construction. One even suggested due the material (copper and brass) used in construction that it may be some sort of nautical measuring device? Something towed behind a boat? Dependent on the function of the screw of course? Also if a bomb it would split at the join of the copper and steel? Best Rich

LOCHNAGAR CRATER.....WW1 I just thought I would add a few images of the Lochnagar Crater, and the Memorial Service to one of Our Own British Soldiers, and My Own Memory of Being there on the Day His Memory was Remembered. When I visited there for a memorial Service to Private George Nugent in 1999....who on that day of July 1st 1916 (after the massive mine was detonated /blown) he advanced with many fellow comarades and was killed by enemy fire it was issued that he was Missing in Action. It wasn't until a Frenchman walking his dog around the crater (in about 1996?) that the dog scuffed the ground and had in it's mouth a boot and an ankle bones - the man called the Police who eventually called (I Think?) the War Grave Commision, who dug his body up and by his I.D Tags found it to be George Nugent.....at least his family after many years grieving the loss accepted he was, as not registered - Missing - but now accepted his body was found and is buried nearby in a British Cemetery, in which they could find his grave. It was a very moving service and attended by maybe 50 - 75 people and the local Priest gave his blessing.......Yes it was sad for me and more so for his family, who I presume came later to visit his Resting Place. Here are a few images of the massive crater that I took on that day as thousand of poppies were scattered all around the base of the crater....In Memory of the British who were killed and the many hundreds if not thousands of the enemy (5, 000...???) In Memory of 1306 - Private George Nugent of the 22nd Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.... and the Millions killed during WW1 the World's Most Catastrophic War.....Until 1939....that is another story one day! Desert Rat My camper is at the top, just to show the scale of the immense depth that this mine blew. Reply to this topic...

Hi. Just joined this forum and hope it can put me in touch with like minded collectors of WW1 Desert campaign artefacts. Not sure whether I have the right "page" ?? Anyway--I'm keen to collect artefacts from the XXCorps advance to Jerusalem in 1917 via Beersheba--Sheria etc. Specifically anything to do with the 60th Division's actions . Thanks---Dave.

These look amazing! reminds me of my bedroom as a boy (no offence meant!). I kept them there, forgotten and gathering dust, until the day I got my first ever girlfriend into the sack. well, she took one look at my 'planes, told me that's what wee boys did, and nearly cooled my ardour....and my 'ard-on!!!! next day, they all came down and into a box.should've had more b*lls and told her to do one, but I wouldn't have had so much fun, would I??