Visited July 1988

The museum was created by the late Charlie Mann, I think in the late 1970′s. Charlie was a real character who I first met on the MVCG – as the MVT was first known as – commemorative tour of military vehicles to Normandy in June 1974, for the 30th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. Charlie had amazed us all with his US Half Track and Bedford QL Trooper with army unit badges showing the map of Cornwall. He was also  the military vehicle advisor to the film A Bridge Too Far, made in 1977 telling the story of the Arnhem landings. Following the film, many of the props used were bought by Charlie and used in his museum. For example, look at the replica Horsa glider fuselage, which visitors can walk through, and also the flat bottom boats that Robert Redford rowed across the Rhine River in the film.

We visited the museum in July 1988 while on holiday in Cornwall and took the photos you see below. Have a close look at the ‘German’ trucks ! These were provided by Charlie for the film Raiders of the Lost Ark, with Harrison Ford. I seem to remember they were actually based on US GMC CCKW 353 6×6 Trucks !

Sadly Charlie died in I think the late 1980′s and the collection was split up, so there’s no chance to visit the museum. Some say part of the collection was bought by Flambards Experience also in Cornwall. I noticed however that the Scottish Military Vehicle Group list their Dodge WC-51 Weapons Carrier as being ex-Lamanva, so there may be other vehicles from the collection out there somewhere.  I wonder what became of the Horsa glider section ?

[Show as slideshow]

1 Welbike

10 'German' Lorry

11 Ford T16 Universal Carrier

12 Dodge T110L-6 3Ton Water Tanker

13 'German' Lorry

14 Dodges WC Series

15 Diamond T969A 4Ton 6x6 Wrecker

16 Bedford QLT Trooper

17 Dodge WC-54 Ambulance

18 Chevrolet 1.5ton

19 Diamond T Prime Mover

2 Horsa Glider

20 Scammell SV1T Breakdown

21 GMC Tanker

22 Morris CS8 15cwt GS

23 'German' Lorry

24 Dodge WC-54 Ambulance

25 Morris CDSW Light Breakdown

26 Dodge T110L-6 3Ton Water Tanker

27 Autocar U-7144T 4x4 Tractor

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