Elliott's Yard, Ontario in 1993

[peter simundson]

....... on the torch. And behind him is one of the Stuart Tank hulls that I GAVE them. I went back and got the GPMG mount from the turret. Eventually they were both sold for a great sum (for the time) of money. Don Smith had dragged three of them from the creek behind Levy's. He took them to his location at Downsview Air Base. One had all the hatches and the turret ring AND some interior parts. After a year he got heat from the base to get rid of them. So he sold one hull and turret to a scrap metal guy. When the guy picked it up he took the wrong one, Gone was the one with all the parts. Elliott's got the other two.

Peter S

[Les Fisher]

Yes Brian I believe you are correct

[Bob Phillips]

Las I remember an old German halftrack that was smashed and bashed but I did not think it was nearly as big as the chassis at Elliots, the Littlefield machine was quite large. You don't have any photos of the Elliot old chassis do you?

The Yale must have originated in Tilsonburg at the Ernie Simmons sale. I thought Bill Gregg had 2 Yale's but I could be wrong. His Yale (or yales) went to Hamilton and was restored to flying condition.will post some pics if I can find them.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bob Phillips

Las I remember an old German halftrack that was smashed and bashed but I did not think it was nearly as big as the chassis at Elliots, the Littlefield machine was quite large. You don't have any photos of the Elliot old chassis do you?
The Yale must have originated in Tilsonburg at the Ernie Simmons sale. I thought Bill Gregg had 2 Yale's but I could be wrong. His Yale (or yales) went to Hamilton and was restored to flying condition.will post some pics if I can find them.

I recall seeing a halftrack at Elliots once. My vague recollection is that a boy scout troop or cadet corps had rolled it down a hill causing all the damage. The body was quite a mess. It was a softskin like this and not armoured.

[Brian Gough]

In Wheels & Tracks #11, p.43. there is a picture from the Elliot Brothers yard, identifying it as a Sd.Kfz. 7 8-ton semi-track tractor. Bart Vanderveen had visited there along with Bill Gregg and commented, "Now well beyond the possibility of restoration, it was reportedly used at CFB Bordon for heavy recovery practice in the post-war years, after it had been shipped from across the Atlantic 'for another look'. "

Brian

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Brian Gough

In Wheels & Tracks #11, p.43. there is a picture from the Elliot Brothers yard, identifying it as a Sd.Kfz. 7 8-ton semi-track tractor. Bart Vanderveen had visited there along with Bill Gregg and commented, "Now well beyond the possibility of restoration, it was reportedly used at CFB Bordon for heavy recovery practice in the post-war years, after it had been shipped from across the Atlantic 'for another look'. "

Brian

Here's the vehicle as sold at the Sotheby's auction. I'd love somebody to find and post a pic of what it looked like all those years ago at Elliotts. From what I recall it was nothing more than a rusting tangle of steel. If it was restored there's hope for the rest of us.

[Bob Phillips]

So here are a couple of pictures, first from W&T (thanks for the lead Brian) and it shows what I remember, a badly smashed vehicle rolled over repeatedly. I don't recall seeing any track- anybody know if there was any at the yard? I have not yet found my printed catalog from the Littlefield sale but will add any extra details (if there are any) when I do.

Second photo shows what I believe is Bill Gregg's ex Yale fully restored and flying. The restoration project was led by a fellow named Joe Gabany from Stoney Creek who was subsequently and sadly killed in a small plane crash flying home from cottage country through a bad storm.

elliottsA.jpg elliotsB.jpg

[James P]

Originally Posted by Brian Gough

In Wheels & Tracks #11, p.43. there is a picture from the Elliot Brothers yard, identifying it as a Sd.Kfz. 7 8-ton semi-track tractor. Bart Vanderveen had visited there along with Bill Gregg and commented, "Now well beyond the possibility of restoration, it was reportedly used at CFB Bordon for heavy recovery practice in the post-war years, after it had been shipped from across the Atlantic 'for another look'. "

Brian

Bahh !! sounds like buddy is one to throw in the towel and succumb to "Never try..........never fail. I have a post war picture of that same (now restored) Sd.Kfz.8 in front of the Peace Tower on the hill.

[Ed Storey]

I think it is more a case that the metrics for what is now deemed to be restorable have changed in the past 35 years. What was once considered to be scrap in the mid-1980s is now looked at as worthy of restoration. Back in the day, Bill Gregg was a leading figure in military vehicle restoration/preservation and if he were still alive I am sure he would be impressed with how the hobby has progressed.