[Mike K]

Hi Keith

Yes your correct , there must have been other cases where the various Govt. Departments sold stuff then bought back the stuff later on.

Regarding Auto Surplus at Nunawading , I got to know Colin Bell, the chap on the counter , as I often went there to go through the shelves. I asked Colin directly : who actually owned the parts. His reply " old man Hancock " Colin would tell me interesting stories, he was a buyer for Healings just after the war and he was involved in the surplus game over many years. He was a Lieutenant in a transport company during WW2. He told me he had a large collection of vehicle manuals . Auto Surplus changed hands during the 1980s and the new owners went over to vintage car stuff. I'm guessing much of the WW2 parts were sold at giveaway prices to make room for the vintage car parts.