OMVA -Aquino Weekend

[Terry Witiuk]

Hello to all OMVA members. As previously announced in another thread started by Barry Churcher, The Ontario Regiment Museum in Oshawa has invited the OMVA to display vehicles at Aquino Weekend. This year’s three day event takes place on May 27, 28 & 29. Members who attend with a vehicle will get free admission. We will be setting up a tent that will serve as a base for OMVA vehicle display, provide members with shelter, a place to gather and meet. I’ve offered my help to the OMVA executive and will act as the lead person for this event. To get a sense of how many members plan to attend, we ask that you respond by sending a private message or post your intent on this thread. Please pass this message along to other members.

More info about Aquino available on the thread http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=25444

The LaQuinta Hotel, recommended by the museum, appears to be booked up if you're looking for a two night stay (Friday/Saturday). When I called there was still some availability for the Friday night. A close by and reasonably priced alternate is the Residence & Conference Center, about 6.8 kilometers/14 minutes away. There was still some availability when I booked my room yesterday, April 27th. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi & free parking.

https://ca.hotels.com/hotel/details...._H2122.011.003

Have been informed by Aquino organizers that our display/tent area will be in the field area next to the main entrance. This is a great spot as it gives easy access in or out and also gives us a prominent location with regards to public visibility. See aerial photo below. General vehicle and tow/trailer parking as indicated.

I shall be there with my 1961 Daimler MK 2/3 Ferret Scout Car. Look forward to seeing/meeting you there.

Cheers, Terry.

[Les Fisher]

I will bring my WC 56 Dodge command car.
Les...

[Brian Gough]

Hi Terry

I am planning on being there and will likely be driving the MB.

Brian

[Don Dallison]

Will bring my M38

[Sam Assad]

wont be bringing my Ferret this year (which is still in the UK) but i will be having a table launching my new book on the AMX-13 tanks.. Pass by !

[Terry Witiuk]

Four days to go, look forward to seeing everyone there! If you have one of those fold out camping chairs, please bring it along.
Cheers, Terry.

[Don Dallison]

Terry
What time should I arrive on Sat.
Don

[BCA]

Looking forward to a great weekend. Don't miss out on this great opportunity for a great show. .. Brian

[Terry Witiuk]

I believe that on Friday, the event is open to the public from 12pm to 5pm and on Saturday/Sunday, the gates open to the public at 9am. If you're bringing a vehicle, I would suggest arriving before 9am.

Originally Posted by Don Dallison

Terry
What time should I arrive on Sat.
Don

[Robin Craig]

Look forward to meeting you Greg

[Don Dallison]

Great weekend thanks for setting it up Terry
Don

[Ryan Harriman]

It was nice meeting many of you today.

My only suggestion for next year would be to not have the OMVA in that spot. Between the concession truck and the ditch, many people didn't know how to get into the clearing.

I'll bring the Gama Goat up next year.

Ryan.

[Barry Churcher]

Ryan at first we didn't think it was the perfect spot either but the simple explanation is that with that location we can come and go as we want with the vehicles. The museum would like the only movement within the grounds be restricted between 9:00am and 5:00 pm. We must also remember that we are there as their guests. I concur with Don that Terry did a great job with the organization and set up. The tent and unlimited bottled water that Les provided
sure made a scorcher of a day more comfortable. Thanks to all the OMVA members who brought vehicles and thanks to all the others who just stopped by for conversation and to get out of the heat.
Barry

[Jordan Baker]

Thanks again to all who made it such an enjoyable weekend. I had a great time being there on the Saturday.

To echo Ryan's comments I too feel that the ditch made a big barrier for many people to get in and see our stuff. Maybe the club could ask the museum for the spot where they had a cab12 c15a and C60 parked. It was basically kiddy corner to us and if members had to leave it would be a simple down the road to the same entrance we used.

All day long I kept hearing rumours the Brian Gough was eyeing up the 10cwt trailer I brought to the show. Lo and behold I returned in time see him backing his jeep up to the trailer. I'm glad I got "the proof" as I don't think anyone would believe this tale.

[Robin Craig]

I am sorry to say I didnt get a chance to come over and visit you all.

The Museum are open and receptive to improvements, with time and patience it will improve

Great to see a few of you who made it to the sand box side of the venue

[servicepub (RIP)]

I was there but never got out of the vendors' barn (part of the AMPS model show). Sorry I missed connecting with all of you.
Clive

[Terry Witiuk]

Thanks to everyone who came out to say Hello. It was great to meet and put faces to names that I see here on MLU. We had a great number of visitors come through our area to have a look at all the vehicles. On Saturday, we had 13 vehicles on display. Good turnout of visitors on Sunday as well. Have made a bunch of new friends and very much look forward to meeting up again. I am sorting through pictures and will post some of them shortly.
Cheers, Terry.

[Terry Witiuk]

A few pics. Top picture shows framed print being presented to the Ontario Regiment Museum RCAC from the OMVA in recognition of Aquino 2016 and the support of our association. Pictured left to right; Frank Von Rosenstiel (Ontario Regiment RCAC Museum), Jeremy Neal Blowers (Executive Director RCAC Ontario Regiment RCACMuseum) and Les Fisher (OMVA President). Last picture shows Barry Churcher (OMVA Executive, Membership), Les Fisher (OMVA Executive, President) and Cam Wooley (CP24 TV Personality and Aquino Show Commentator).

[Robin Craig]

Picture number three is missing a few names, the tall distinguished gent is Sandy Marshall, I think next to him is Calvin Bird from the UK and next to him is Chad who is related to Sandy. Sandy and Chad brought the motorbike.

Also, for those seeking true accuracy, Frank Von R was temporarily renamed Frank Von Ponsonby-Smyth as he had the pleasure of driving the SAS replica Land Rover, he didn't want pictures to be taken but I am sure there is one somewhere.

[Robin Craig]

A couple of pictures from the other side of the event.

The Land Rover 90, owned by Al Duffy, who owns all the other Operation Granby vehicles has been converted into a very close replica of a little known SAS vehicle. While the SAS Land Rover 110 desert patrol vehicles built by Glover Webb and powered by a V8 are well know few know about the Dinkies.

There was a need for extra vehicles and the Regiment had some 2.5na Diesel 90s fitted out themselves in theatre, exactly how many were built is open for debate but none exist or have appeared thus far.

We felt that when a photo was to be taken of the vehicle and crew and hangers on that we should pay homage to the usual identity preservation seen in SAS pictures.

We opted for the low tech approach and used cardboard and black gaffer tape.

The image is used courtesy of Andrew Jones with permission.

[Robin Craig]

I was very privileged to be aired up with Rob Melvin who is driving in this picture.

25 years ago Rob was the REME corporal who commanded the real vehicle of which this is a replica. Aland Duffy had flown him and the other British veterans out for the event.

Rob was wonderful to chat with and talked about what it was like and the not so nice stuff as well.

It was an absolute pleasure to be his vehicle commander and be chauffeured by him.

My thanks go to Alan Duffy for inviting me to be part of his crew for the event

[Scott Taylor]

Hi folks:

I wandered through the OMVA area at the Aquino Tank Day a few weeks ago and photographed this vehicle (see attached). Like a dummy, I didn't look at the data plate to figure out what it was, and I haven't turned up anything in various searches since to identify it. I presume that either the owner or somebody who knows what it is is posting here. Could you please tell me what this vehicle is?

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Cheers and thanks,

Scott

[Terry Witiuk]

Scott. As per the owner, the pictured vehicle is a 1974 Bombardier Cargo Track prototype #1 that was trialed by the Canadian Armed Forces. Vehicle is owned by All Dornan from the Montreal area.

[maple_leaf_eh]

From the drive belts and tracks, it sure looks like a conventional snowmobile. (Edited - and now after posting someone has an explanation)

[chris vickery]

I believe that the intended usage was to carry items like 55gal drums of fuel, ammo or whatever other type of material was needed.

[Scott Taylor]

Hi Terry:

Many thanks for the quick response. That's a very exotic vehicle. It was nice to see so many OMVA vehicles at the show. Ryan, I look forward to seeing your Gama Goat next year - that's one of my favourite vehicles.

Cheers and thanks again,

Scott