Borden Flakpanzer

[Guy Grenadier]

Good day,

There is no existing written record or After Action Report (AAR) on the Hetzer restoration. All that can be said is this: The Hetzer restoration was abruptly terminated circa 2005 when the Base commander at the time ordered the WW2 era hanger which was housing the project to be torn down. This was done to reduce base operation expenses and reduce what is called PILT (Property in lieu of Taxes). This is an amount the base must pay the township for every building that it has standing in lieu of municipal taxes since technically, DND does not pay taxes to the township of Essa.

This was outside the museum and the restoration team's power. The restoration project had only a few weeks to react and put an end to its operations... There was a lot of bitterness and resentment since the team was in its 7th year of work at the time.

On a brighter side, a month ago the Hetzer has been moved indoors to prevent an further decay. It is co-located with the Flakpanzer. There is no plan to restore it now but by keeping it indoors we are preventing further decay to some Farley Mowat's legacy.

[Robin Craig]

So,

I am grateful for all the responses and to hear the whereabouts of the Hetzer.

I am perplexed as to why the group would not have tried to finish the Hetzer and not start something new, but then I remind myself I am very guilty of doing that myself many a time.

Ho hum, well, I think we aired some good information. Guy Grenadier are there open says when we can come visit or work nights when we can drop by?

[Perry Kitson]

I can certainly understand the problems facing any group trying to save a piece of Canadian history, even if it does involve a former enemy's vehicle. I have been trying to persuade the powers that be to do something with the "Holy Roller" Sherman here in London. A tank that landed on D-Day with a Canadian armoured regiment. After two internal and external examinations and condition reports to the city, nothing has happened. Even the regiment who operated the tank has not been interested in properly preserving it, let alone restoring it. Kudo's to any group that can initiate that process.

[B. Harris]

If anyone has any history, story's, early photographs or details of this machine the restore group would love to know and research the same.

There must be some ol' timers on here that could share something no matter how trivial.

Thanks for your help and considerations in advance.

Harris