Sherman tank anyone?

[EHoffmann]

Well you would be safe to wild camp anywhere in South Africa in one of those.

[Landy90fan]

I spoke to someone once who said there were 14 shermans put into a hole and buried - I wonder if the burying would preserve them or accelerate their corrosion?

One old-timer recalls that many of the tanks together with other machines were buried near the old Central Fields Workshop...there I would think the salinity levels would be very high..

That been said...I was surprised to find that geotech tests at sites close by did not require special soil treatment during civil works.....

The answer could well be that they're somewhat preserved...

[CoastalCowboy]

Hi all - suggest someone contacts Sandstone Estates in the Free State. I'm sure they would be interested even if only for parts, and I'm sure that they have their own lowbed to transport them as they have a number of other tanks in their collection apart from all the trains. Agree it would be a shame for these to end up as scrap.

[KimballR]

Hi all - suggest someone contacts Sandstone Estates in the Free State. I'm sure they would be interested even if only for parts, and I'm sure that they have their own lowbed to transport them as they have a number of other tanks in their collection apart from all the trains. Agree it would be a shame for these to end up as scrap.

Does anyone have an email address of someone there? I left my contact details on the website but no luck.

[AboutAfrica]

wonder if it will fit in my garden?

[sparewheel]

wonder if it will fit in my garden?

Only one way to find out.......

[Spliffcat]

Sandstone Estates
Phone them and ask to speak to Leigh. Maybe she still works there.

[JanB]

http://www.sandstone-estates.com/

[Toxxyc]

wonder if it will fit in my garden?

Imagine your wife's reaction.

"Honey I have to go pick up something in Namibia."
"Oh damnit what did you buy again this time?"
"A World War 2 Sherman tank..."

[MichaelKilleen]

Hi Gents

I may be putting a spanner in the works here, but here in KZN and im assuming its like this country wide, all military vehicles and firearms displayed at any of the MOTHS has to be registered with the military.

Its almost like having a firearms license.

You cant just sell those tanks or have them scrapped, you need to obtain permission from the military if you even just want to move them off the MOTHS premises.

I'd strongly suggest that you communicate with your local SANDF before doing anything that could possibly land you in hot water at a later date.

[JanB]

For your viewing pleasure:

[KimballR]

Hi Gents

I may be putting a spanner in the works here, but here in KZN and im assuming its like this country wide, all military vehicles and firearms displayed at any of the MOTHS has to be registered with the military.

Its almost like having a firearms license.

You cant just sell those tanks or have them scrapped, you need to obtain permission from the military if you even just want to move them off the MOTHS premises.

I'd strongly suggest that you communicate with your local SANDF before doing anything that could possibly land you in hot water at a later date.

Remember these tanks are without turrets. They were converted to be used for mining.
Also, they are in Namibia. The SANDF no longer has any say and I doubt they were ever contacted back in the day...

[Gilbertr14]

google puts the weight at 33 tons for a complete sherman


will cost a packet to move it

DHL
Ask then for a quote.

[Toxxyc]

DHL
Ask then for a quote.

I can see the conversation on DHL's side.

"So, what do you want to ship, Sir?"
"A WWII Sherman Tank, 33 Tonnes, please."
"OK Sir, just give me a second quickly..."
*puts the phone on hold, runs to manager*
"HUGO BEL DIE POLISIE!"

[Alan Eveleigh]

I can see the conversation on DHL's side.

"So, what do you want to ship, Sir?"
"A WWII Sherman Tank, 33 Tonnes, please."
"OK Sir, just give me a second quickly..."
*puts the phone on hold, runs to manager*
"HUGO BEL DIE POLISIE!"

LOL

Although I I think it will be more a case of .......

"Eish...... what ees dat?"

[TomGray]

Probably a bit late to respond but if they're still there then I'd be interested in discussing these old Sherman tanks.

[Landy90fan]

Probably a bit late to respond but if they're still there then I'd be interested in discussing these old Sherman tanks.

They don't have turrets....they were buried in the mining area somewhere a long time ago....

[TomGray]

They don't have turrets....they were buried in the mining area somewhere a long time ago....

Even so, I am very interested in them. And it would certainly be a shame to see them go to the scrap man.

[Landy90fan]

Even so, I am very interested in them. And it would certainly be a shame to see them go to the scrap man.

Kimball, on this forum, flagged this issue - there 2 of them in Oranjemund doing ''park''duty...

[Peter Connan]

For your viewing pleasure:

Scary how often he shows footage of the M10 tank destroyer instead of Shermans.