Rod Bellars collection

[Richard Farrant]

Lot 1005, described as a Chevrolet ......... it is actually the sad remains of a Guy Quad Ant FAT.
A lot of the descriptions leave a lot to be desired.

[rob love]

How about the Bren Gun 100 round drum magazine listed as a "landmine". It is obvious by the bidding on that item that the bidders have figured it out.

[Wayne Henderson]

Another fellow did the mock up of the Pheasant, he got ill and sold off a lot of gear. He was doing a replica about 20 years ago as there were no known examples about.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Wayne Henderson

Another fellow did the mock up of the Pheasant, he got ill and sold off a lot of gear. He was doing a replica about 20 years ago as there were no known examples about.

Thanks for the clarification

[Hanno Spoelstra]

M3 Medium / Grant I is interesting as it seems to be rather complete - even though it is split up over several lots.

NOTE: This unit was complete however has been disassembled by the collector with relevant parts being advertised in this auction. Lloyds Auctions have attempted to provide images of parts relevant to this unit however are not representing that the tank is complete. Lot Number 1016 in this auction is the removed turret and parts to match this tank. We are continuing to source matching parts.

Lot 1003 is the hull: https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...31&lid=3330164

The corresponding turret is Lot 1007 (not Lot 1016 as indicated by Lloyds Auctions). The turret hatch is Lot 1014. There is a set of tracks and a gun shield in the auction too.

Original US registration number is USA W-3010491, if read correctly.

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Original US registration number is USA W-3010491, if read correctly.

Joe DeMarco added this info and shared a photo of Rod:

Yes, that looks like the one that is up for auction.
Rod found the corresponding Serial Number 3856 stamped inside where the dataplate would have been.
He also reported the Brit WD Number from under the paint layers as T-25746.
His Lee would have been accepted at Chrysler in June 1942.
Counting heads, I think it would have been one of the last Chrysler Lees built with working doors.
It was shipped from the US and would have arrived in Australia before the end of 1942.

Rod was a tremendous source of info, although his texts were somewhat elusive as they were unpunctuated, stream of consciousness and peppered with Aussie slang. It took me a while to figure out that "dog's bowls" were ventilators.

Our friend Jim Goetz visited him.
Here's a photo. Rest in Peace, Rod.

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[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

M3 Medium / Grant I is interesting as it seems to be rather complete - even though it is split up over several lots.

Lot 1003 is the hull: https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...31&lid=3330164

The corresponding turret is Lot 1007 (not Lot 1016 as indicated by Lloyds Auctions). The turret hatch is Lot 1014. There is a set of tracks and a gun shield in the auction too.

Well that’s great, the auction house states “ **NOW INCLUDING TURRET AND CANON**”. But what the auction house actually includes is a Staghound Armoured Car turret. I cannot fathom why they do not include the M3 Grant turret that’s up for auction as that would enable the buyer to put the tank back into a proper configuration.

And oh, the bidding stands at AUS $97,000 with 6 days or more to go.

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NOTE: This unit was complete however has been disassembled by the collector with relevant parts being advertised in this auction. Lloyds Auctions have attempted to provide images of parts relevant to this unit however are not representing that the tank is complete. Lot Number 1016 in this auction is the removed turret and parts to match this tank. We are continuing to source matching parts. This tank was driven by the collector onto the drop deck trailer for transport back to his property.
Top 73mm cannon and assorted parts for reinstatement are now included in this allotment.
9th Feb updated the 73mm top gun assembly and mounting parts have had photos uploaded which will be included in the sale. Items specific to this Lee Tank, will be included in the sale when the purchaser collects this item. This will be done in conjunction with a Lloyds Staff member.
**** It is worth noting that a new/unused DC3 9 Cylinder Radial engine as used in this Lee Tank is available in auction Part 13, Lot 217 ****

[Bob Phillips]

ON a similar note, the radial engine offered for sale looks like an early C1 engine with the cast aluminium cooling fan. It is absolutely not the type used on a DC3 and I can hardly understand why a reputable auction company would not have put a little more effort into doing their homework before offering goods up for sale. A similar thing occurred at the Littlefield auction where all manner of mixed vehicle parts got lumped together in job lots.

[rob love]

The auctioneers are not lifetime collectors, and sell everything from soup to nuts. I see the same thing at a lot of the lesser gun auction houses.....it does no favors to the consignors.

I do see where on some of the lots, the auction house changed the listing as a result of someone more knowledgeable sending in a correction. But in many cases, the potential buyers will leave the mistake, hoping to ward off other buyers.

I think the guys who will do the best are the ones who could actually go to the auction house and see what is in the bottom of some of the box lots.

If the problem with the turret was pointed out to the auction house, I have no doubt the Staghound turret would get moved out of the M3 listing. But it would appear the M3 turret is doing rather well on it's own, so hard to say if the turret listing would disappear and move over to the tank.

[Ron Pier]

Has anyone thought about the fact that these are probably live firing weapons. If that is the case, the bidding surely can't be open to everyone?? Ron

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ron Pier

Has anyone thought about the fact that these are probably live firing weapons. If that is the case, the bidding surely can't be open to everyone?? Ron

Typically anyone can bid, if succesfull you will have to prove you can transport/own them.

[Mike Cecil]

Live firing ... in Australia???!!! Not likely.

[Ron Pier]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Live firing ... in Australia???!!! Not likely.

Mike from all the posts and correspondence I saw from Rod, I got the impression his stuff was all mostly live, and with continual battles with the police and authorities??? Ron

[Andrew Rowe]

Another Auction From the Estate, is sliding through Tonight....don't miss out on the Bargains! Cheers Andrew

[tankbarrell]

I would advise anybody buying to collect the lots themselves.
Some of my parts had disappeared between the auction and Lloyds packing them.

[rob love]

I see 2 further auctions. The next one is more of the small arms, and the last one is part 15 with a lot of tank and vehicle items, along with some artillery and general bric&brac.
https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/Auct...aspx?aid=32539

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by rob love

.... and general bric&brac

... like a CMP door ...

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https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...39&lid=3567250

[Tony Smith]

I didn't see this at the time, but we now know where at least one of the items has gone to; a Holden Car museum! Glad to know (NOT!) that the unsightly original patina will be removed and the gun repainted!

https://www.drive.com.au/news/holden...lls-for-45000/

[Alex van de Wetering]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Lot 1005, described as a Chevrolet ......... it is actually the sad remains of a Guy Quad Ant FAT.
A lot of the descriptions leave a lot to be desired.

Yes, It's amazing to see that it's listed as a Chev in stead of a rare Guy Quad.

Lot 1010 is also entertaining "Home made wood furnace, steel".....of the exploding kind, me thinks.

https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...1&pgn=1&pgs=15

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Interesting axle... wasn't Philippe looking for one of these?

"WWII axle and wheel assembly, Wheel hub is approximately 475 mm"
https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/LotD...31&lid=3330195

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[Bob Carriere]

Hi again Hanno.......

May be a long shot BUT....... could some one look for casted numbers midway of the axle between the flat of the H shape beam....... OR it may be stamped on either side near the curved area.......

That is an odd ball...... maybe related to the Aussie 18 inch rims????? PS....maybe a British vehicle...... the 8 wheel nuts look larger than usual with the end very squared off flat..... does anyone recognize the rear axle from the webbing on the gear cluster????

Bob C.

[Tony Smith]

I see the auction closing dates have been pushed back 2 weeks! That's one more payday to shovel into the hole.

[rob love]

I would imagine that all the auctions still at single digits might have scared them.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Some media coverage:

https://www.forces.net/news/uncovere...tion-militaria

https://youtu.be/T-FDBWyzj3U