$30 Million Tank Collection Donated to Collings Foundation

[N3Njeff]

Ok that's it! Anyone with CF on here???..........need a mechanic?? MV experienced as I own a few.........a plus.....a&p.....with his own tools for Pratt engines & very history oriented.

[maxum96]

I believe their collection was used for several episodes of Mythbusters.

[bdk]

That is a piece of news!

Mythbusters used their vehicles to try to tear a phone book in half.

I believe Jacques Littlefield had one of the propellers from the Lusitania in his collection.

[Old SAR pilot]

FYI, as far as I know the collection in FT Knox doesn't exist anymore. Most of it was moved to Anniston AL a few years back.......

No, it was moved to Ft Benning, GA

[Ken]

Aside from all the logistics and financial aspects of the deal, I can't help but feel reminded of how short our time here is. This man devoted years and megabucks into his passion and now the collection is being broken down and scattered to an extent. And what of the fine buildings and shop space he had? Don't get me wrong, it is the natural order of things to change & morph with time so I get it - it's just a clear reminder that nothing is forever.

Ken

[armyjunk2]

Both the Fort Knox and the Aberdeen collections have been split up, lots of the pieces most likely will never be seen again during my lifetime. Some pieces as far as I know, went to Ft Lee, some to Ft Benning, some to Ft Sill and some to Anniston. If anyone is interested here are some photos of the old collections http://tinyurl.com/mp385jz which can be found in this forum.
Another collection that might see changes is the Ropkey collection of vehicles, since Fred passed away.

[Flat 12x2]

I know there is another running TIGER in England......

Mark H

Sure is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKldF0KIDIQ

[p51]

I was initially happy to hear that the Littlefield collection won't be busted up, until I read they'll sell off the majority of the collection to have a building built to house the best stuff...

No privately owned Tigers in the USA. I think there is one in the UK. Priceless.

No privately owned Tigers ANYWHERE. The single Tiger I that is capable or running is in a British museum. The Tank Museum, where it sits today, is the official museum of the Royal Tank Regiment and a registered charity in the UK. My understanding is that the tank itself is still Her Majesty's propperty.

[P51Mstg]

Wow... I didn't know Mr. Ropkey died....

Went there a few years back... COOL PLACE.... Plus nobody was there, I mean the front door was wide open. We went in looked around for an hour, dropped a $20 in the donation can and left without seeing another person.

NICE collection of planes, plus a Stearman and some experimental airplane (some kind of VTOL)..

Mark H

[Roger Cain]

The buildings that the tanks are stored in are beautiful, and have a train barn look to them as Littlefield also enjoyed trains. Chances are they will probably get converted into horse stables. There are four main display buildings, and a restoration building, along with a few others.

Here are a few sample pictures from about two months ago.

This picture is from about half way in one of the barns.
















and one of the open storage areas.

[Mike]

Wow... I didn't know Mr. Ropkey died....

Went there a few years back... COOL PLACE.... Plus nobody was there, I mean the front door was wide open. We went in looked around for an hour, dropped a $20 in the donation can and left without seeing another person.

NICE collection of planes, plus a Stearman and some experimental airplane (some kind of VTOL)..

Mark H

Mark,

This is not the Ropkey collection

Roger,

Thanks for posting the photos. A real shame the collection is being broken up, with so much being sold off

[Jerry O'Neill]

Wow... I didn't know Mr. Ropkey died....

NICE collection of planes, plus a Stearman and some experimental airplane (some kind of VTOL)..

Mark H

Mark, the Ropkey Museum is a terrific place and I'm very saddened to hear of Fred's passing.
That VTOL "type" aircraft is actually the one and one X-14. It was a very successful VTOL aircraft based on a T-34 fuselage. It had a gear collapse in 1981 and was reported as scrapped. Fred bought t a few years ago from Fort Rucker in a surplus sale. I guess they didn't know what they had! It's a real time capsule and the Museum of the USAF has been jones'in after it ever since they found out Fred actually had the real airframe!
Jerry

[RickH]

I had NO idea Fred Ropkey was gone. RIP sir. I'm confident the collection is in good hands with his son Rick. Rick Ropkey has been very involved with the collection and some of the items were actually acquired by Rick, such as the X-14. The NMUSAF once tried to give him a worn out Kingair as a swap.

[bdk]

The Littlefield collection is/was amazing. Unfortunately, it was housed at his home which is not very accessible or conveniently located. Unless someone else in the family had an attraction to military vehicles, the collection would be an albatross around the family's neck. I'm guessing some sort of plan to dispose of the collection had been made before Littlefield's passing. Sounds like the collection is going to a good home and the vehicles being sold off will go to other museums and collectors.

In my opinion, accessibility/visibility and care is more important than who owns what.

[PinecastleAAF]

No privately owned Tigers ANYWHERE.

The Wheatcroft collection has a Tiger 1 and a Tiger 2 and they are private. Not sure if they run but i doubt it. They are in the UK.

As far as running condition my impression is that those that have them are reluctant to run them due to the rarity of the engine and sourcing new parts. Basically like a Beaufighter powerplant in terms of rarity. There ain't none around.