Mystery Lynx

[Dave Jackson]

I can confirm that there are about 30 of them stacked three high in the scrap yard on Munns Road outside Victoria. Went there yesterday. I explained to the guy that I am restoring a military vehicle and wanted to look for parts. Was told this is not posible and anything that comes off them would have to be destroyed. I wasn't even allowed to go up and have a look.

I did look inside a couple of them when they were on a flat bed ouside Sidney. They were in good condition and very complete. Looked like they had not been used for a while but would not take much to get going. Anything loose inside had been removed so wasn't able to score any loose bits.

[Casey B]

Imagine the cost to ship then two at a time via latbed trucks all the way accross Canada from montreal to Victoria to scrap them.
Use a train system? Noooo wouldn't want them to beb seen all at once would we?
What pray tell did that cost the taxpayers and could not the cost of this be offset by selling some of the parts?

[RHClarke]

Do you think that the feelings of a few (and we are a rare lot in Canada) restorers outweighs the consequences of annoying our economically and militarily stronger neighbour, who by legislation (theirs mostly) owns the distribution and end user rights for the kit that is being destroyed? Hypothetically, the cost of not destroying them properly could be measured in sanctions that could affect our economy.

Yes, it is a shame that individuals are not permitted to play with these surplus armoured vehicles. However, our military heritage is being preserved through the Canadian War Museum. Hopefully they can squeeze a few more armoured and other vehicles into the bunker as they reach the end of their life cycles.

Now if you really want to pick a battle, do some research on the tendering process that led to the APCs being trucked all the way out to the west coast. That will probably be worth some ire.

[chris vickery]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

Yes, it is a shame that individuals are not permitted to play with these surplus armoured vehicles. However, our military heritage is being preserved through the Canadian War Museum.

Rob, I hear what you are saying but as per your quote above, it kinda sounds reminescent of the Liberal gun control initiatives does it not????
Maybe if the CWM is in charge of preserving all our military heritage, then private citizens and restorers should also be licensed or revoked of our rights to be in possession of ex-military vehicles and equipment...

Food for thought.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by chris vickery

Rob, I hear what you are saying but as per your quote above, it kinda sounds reminescent of the Liberal gun control initiatives does it not???? Maybe if the CWM is in charge of preserving all our military heritage, then private citizens and restorers should also be licensed or revoked of our rights to be in possession of ex-military vehicles and equipment...

Food for thought.

Chris,

The only difference being that the gun control horseshit was a self inflicted wound. The ITAR issue is something we cannot control. We can get rid of part of the gun control problem (and I still hold hope that Mr. Harper and company will follow thru), but there is no way we can get rid of the terms and conditions of the US legislation if we continue to by US military kit.

Your suggestion to license collectors makes me shudder...let's not give the policy wonks here in Ottawa any ideas (PS, I now work in that policy world...).

[chris vickery]

Rob, it was not my intention to suggest that we license collectors; rather it was YOUR wordage with regards to the CWM being Guardians of OUR History...

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by chris vickery

Rob, it was not my intention to suggest that we license collectors; rather it was YOUR wordage with regards to the CWM being Guardians of OUR History...

From a governmental due diligence point of view, yup! That is what the CWM is supposed to do. If you look at it from a black and white point of view, if the CWM has one of whatever we used in the military in the museum, that does the trick.

I too get emotional over inanimate objects and believe that we should be able to live in a "free" environment, but sometimes one gets organic stuff all over one's rose coloured glasses.

In this case, the world's most powerful nation is calling the shots, and we as ordinary Canucks have no recourse. Perhaps if a former government of Canada had played by the rules in the past, we wouldn't be in this pickle.

BTW, having logged more miles in M113s than I wish to remember, I won't miss them. Others will, but lamenting the effects of iron-clad legislation will only result in making the Guinness dissappear faster.

Alternatives? Howsabout a nice Brit 432? They almost smell the same on the inside...