Tank and military memorabilia collecting (don’t mention the war)

[Cycleops]

A pensioner in Germany has been fined and had his collection of a WW2 tank, Flak 88mm AA gun, various weapons and uniforms confiscated and been ordered to pay a £200,000 fine for keeping them in the basement of his house. Sounds like a collectors dream.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58077039

 

[MichaelW2]

A tank. In a house. Thank goodness it has been removed; did no one think of the children?

 

[HMS_Dave]

Panther tank? flak 88? So a rather large basement then!

 

[Cycleops]

Yes, I’d love to see a pic of the basement.

Looks like he’s set to receive a couple of million quid when they are sold, but what is he going to do with it at his age? I’m sure he rather have his collection back.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I reckon having a Panther in your basement trumps having a tiger in your tank.

The punishment seems very severe, do they take into account intent there? It doesn't seem so, the guy is 84 and hasn't harmed or threatened anyone with any of the items. Well, not since 1945 at least.

Puts my WW1 bayonet to shame!

 

[HMS_Dave]

I reckon having a Panther in your basement trumps having a tiger in your tank.

The punishment seems very severe, do they take into account intent there? It doesn't seem so, the guy is 84 and hasn't harmed or threatened anyone with any of the items. Well, not since 1945 at least.

Puts my WW1 bayonet to shame!

Given the state of the German Armed Forces as reported in recent years, this old man could have threatened the entire country with that arsenal.

That maniac!

 

[Oldhippy]

I collect WW2 Japanese military sake' cups. My rarest is this one found in Okinawa.

 

[Oldhippy]

The Panther alone is worth vast sums alone. They are rare as rocking horse poo and some for obvious reasons. If it is still original with provenance the price can sky rocket much further.

 

[Cycleops]

Such a shame, puts paid to his plans to a one man invasion of Poland before the winter sets in.

 

[MichaelW2]

Panther tank? flak 88? So a rather large basement then!

Rommel had about 2 dozen of the 88mm guns which he used in direct fire anti tank mode. British troops claimed that this "wasnt fair"
The RAF and US bombers kept 10,930 of these guns pointing up rather than to the East which may have been their major contribution.

 

[RoubaixCube]

A pensioner in Germany has been fined and had his collection of a WW2 tank, Flak 88mm AA gun, various weapons and uniforms confiscated and been ordered to pay a £200,000 fine for keeping them in the basement of his house. Sounds like a collectors dream.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58077039

View attachment 602592

Huh.... In the previous BBC article, they even stated that he had also had a Torpedo. No mention of it here.

 

[stephec]

I reckon having a Panther in your basement trumps having a tiger in your tank.

The punishment seems very severe, do they take into account intent there? It doesn't seem so, the guy is 84 and hasn't harmed or threatened anyone with any of the items. Well, not since 1945 at least.

Puts my WW1 bayonet to shame!

 

[Oldhippy]

They are designed to do terrible things but the engineering is stunning. Is now a good time to say that yes I'm an Old hippy but complete German WW2 machinery geek!

 

[HMS_Dave]

They are designed to do terrible things but the engineering is stunning. Is now a good time to say that yes I'm an Old hippy but complete German WW2 machinery geek!

With you there. WW2 was cruel and horrible as with all war. But fascinated by the history of it...

 

[Sittingduck]

Huh.... In the previous BBC article, they even stated that he had also had a Torpedo. No mention of it here.

Probably kept that in the sub-floor