1st Hussars and Holy Roller & Perry Kitson

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Why is it more spacious inside now than when it was in the Second World War?

Because all the interior has been stripped out. Notice the temporary 2 by 4's for a seat. I also wonder what all the brass screws and washers are for on the right side.

[David Dunlop]

Hmm. They made that sound like an accomplishment.

David

[chris vickery]

A travesty is what it is IMO.
Putting all that work into it just so it can sit outside and rot some more, get vandalized etc.
Our museums and government are hardly the best keepers of our heritage, we all know others who have better collections and are way better stewards of history than this…

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by chris vickery

A travesty is what it is IMO.
Putting all that work into it just so it can sit outside and rot some more, get vandalized etc.

Just wait till this happens again... Then start your petition as Canadians with the right sense of history.

Originally Posted by James P

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/londo...ndon-1.5975322

holy-roller-defaced.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Because all the interior has been stripped out. Notice the temporary 2 by 4's for a seat. I also wonder what all the brass screws and washers are for on the right side.

So where did all the interior parts go?

Hopefully not in the scrap bin, as they well know that “some of the biggest challenges with restoring the Holy Roller stemmed from finding original parts, most of which were still in Europe as most tanks never left after the war.”

[David Dunlop]

A perfect example of a vehicle owner seeing what they want, but failing utterly to see what they actually have on hand. In this case, a specifically named and historically traceable and documented Sherman from a local Regiment has now been stripped into yet another generic, arm waving memorial to the Military at large. They are proud of the name on the side of it, but could just as easily put that name on a night club across the street from the park, and have accomplished just as much.

David

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

So where did all the interior parts go?

Hopefully not in the scrap bin, as they well know that “some of the biggest challenges with restoring the Holy Roller stemmed from finding original parts, most of which were still in Europe as most tanks never left after the war.”

I have no in with the restoration group so am only guessing, but I expect the European parts they were so challenged finding were the tracks and roadwheels. Everything else (cosmetic) on the outside is as it was pre-paint job. They would not have wasted time acquiring anything for the inside as it wouldn't be necessary or seen for the next 50 years. Most of the interior looked to be rusty beyond repair so was probably removed and scrapped. Another shame as I've seen restorers bring even he most perforated pieces back to life.

[chris vickery]

To piggyback on to David’s comments;
A unique vehicle that has a documented history should be saved. I guess I’m not really surprised that the Regt itself isn’t putting up a fuss, it takes a core group of individuals who appreciate things to rally for a cause.
The plaques attached to the exterior could have been just as easily removed and mounted in a chunk of cement to be displayed.
Something like Holy Roller would probably be more appreciated at the Tank Museum in Oshawa than sitting as a roost for pigeons in the park…

[Hanno Spoelstra]

And it is back in the park: https://globalnews.ca/news/8882878/h...rk-london-ont/

D774CB86-AF2B-4D74-AA93-FE3370E6F3C7.jpeg

[Ed Storey]

I guess it did not matter that the original T41 (?) tracks were swapped out for T48 (?) tracks bought in France.

[David Herbert]

Those are T54E1 links in the photo above. Probably the most common of the WW2 steel chevron designs so entirely in keeping if not original to the tank.

David

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker (RIP)

Because all the interior has been stripped out. Notice the temporary 2 by 4's for a seat. I also wonder what all the brass screws and washers are for on the right side.

The screws and washers were to mount a plaque inside.