Greetings,

On my drive to the gun range this past weekend, the occasional red leaf in the trees reminded me that summer is coming to an end. That explained why there were no kids at the range… they must have all been preparing for that first day of school.

With a few hundred rounds expended, I started the 20-minute drive back home. Along the way, I gave a bit more thought to kids going back to school. “School,” I thought, “It must be hard for kids these days.” As I drove by a few cows and through the intersections that pass for towns in southeastern Missouri, my mind drifted even further to thoughts about my school experiences. I realized I was very lucky to be a kid when I was and to have had the teachers I had.

First in a long line of tolerant and very encouraging teachers was my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Russert. I suppose like most kindergarten boys, I quickly fell in love with my teacher. Of course, I knew she felt the same way because of the attention she gave me!

It only took a few show-and-tells for Mrs. Russert to realize that I was fascinated with all things military. She allowed me to stand in front of the class and tell my fellow kindergartners about the “Battle of the Monitor and Merrimac” (a tale I recited often to anyone who would listen). She further encouraged me to draw all my battle scenes and pictures of military vehicles on a long stretch of butcher paper that she then hung above the chalkboard. I remember explaining each panel to her as she patiently listened.

During our “cowboy and Indians” unit, she allowed me to introduce stories of General Custer and the 7th Cavalry. At that time, I have a very cool MARX “General Custer” action figure and his horse Comanche. I am sure more than a few pair of 5-year-old eyes rolled when I started explaining how Comanche was the only survivor of the Battle of Little Bighorn.

I suppose subsequent teachers (and my parents) thought I would outgrow my military obsession. Unfortunately for them, that didn’t happen. Rather, I simply focused my fascination. By third grade at St. Mary’s Grade School, I was in full-fledged Civil War mode. I only wore dark blue shirts and faded blue jeans—I thought it looked more soldierly. For breakfast, I drank coffee and tried to eat a very poor rendition of hardtack that I baked without my mother’s knowing.

It was while I was in third grade that I purchased the very first book of the library that I still maintain. Though my family was very generous supplying me with books and opportunities to go the library, what I really wanted was a book about Civil War uniforms. My big brother Joe let me read his subscription to Civil War Times Illustrated. In one of the issues, I found the answer to my desire: Francis Lord’s Uniform of the Civil War. I placed the order and anxiously awaited the arrival of the book… little did I realize that this book was the vanguard that would eventually amount to more than 1,100 linear feet of books.

By fourth grade, I was in full-blown CW obsession. When we had to choose a subject for the annual science fair, I decided to discuss and demonstrate the loading and firing of a Civil War musket and cannon. God rest the soul of Mrs. Giblin, my science teacher, who did not discourage the topic, but helped me explore the science of combustion, expansion of gases and the physics of action and reaction. I don’t know how I pulled it off, but my project received the first-place ribbon, due, in no small matter to Mrs. Giblin’s finding and teaching the science in a topic that interested me.

A year later, I finally reached a scholastic milestone for which I longed… we were actually going to have instruction in U.S. history! After a the first few months of class, we finally reached my nirvana: 1860 and the coming of the Civil War. In retrospect, I realize our teacher, Mr. Becker was very young and probably fresh out of college. Imagine how lucky he felt to have a smart-ale kid correct him on various accounts of U.S. history. He challenged me to put my “teaching skills” to the test and gave me a side project to develop a lecture for  my classmates.
 

Good lord, my ears turn red to think about it 35 years later… My “talk” was 50 minutes of excruciating, hour-by-hour explanation of what happened during the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg. I am still afraid to “friend” former classmates on Facebook for fear, they too will remember that painful day. Of course, at the time, I thought I was absolutely brilliant. Mr. Becker was shrewd enough to give me the podium if that was what I was going to insist on having. After that day, I think I was probably a bit more humble and gave a few other kids a chance to answer his questions.

The next few years are a blur of girls, hormones, crackling voice and jeans that were simply too tight for any kid to wear to school. Graduating from parochial school, I landed in public school for ninth grade. That didn’t really help a kid who was struggling with his place in a crowd of his peers.
 
But, public school offered a greater variety of students and I soon learned I was not alone!  Like moths to a zapper, history geeks can find each other in a crowded room. Soon, I was a part of an entourage that enjoyed going to hobby shops, building models, wargaming, collecting militaria, shooting guns, and blowing up things. Here is where I have to reiterate, “Man was I lucky to grow up when I did!” With my buddies, Briggs, Murph, Muns and Plager, I felt secure in my little corner of geekdom.
I believe we called our little group the “Fuselage.” We didn’t consider ourselves right wing or left wing. I know it is a stereotype of geeks everywhere, but Briggs and Murph had total access to the AV room, so they made many signs and posters for our “Fuselage” group.

We would sit in study hall and plot how we were going to steal the M5A1 Stuart tank on display in a neighboring town. Our teachers just smiled and shook their heads. After all, we were all good students and in the big scheme of things, our fantasies were harmless. Imagine if we were kids today and did any of those things! Man were we lucky to have the teachers who took the time to get to know us. They were able to evaluate whether we were a threat or just young, harmless war-mongers.

If ever there was to be an alarm sounded as a result of my actions, it would have been during my junior year. Our political science teacher, Ron Moen, gave us the assignment to design a utopian society. I took the project very seriously and wrote feverishly to outline the plans for a utopia. To my undeveloped, young mind, that utopia could not be described as anything short of a total fascist dictatorship, complete with a lengthy description of uniforms that the elite protectors of the society would wear.

Good grief… I am so fortunate he didn’t turn me over to the nut-squad then and there! Rather, when we were all asked to individually present our idea of utopia to our class and then discuss, my peers were quick to point out flaws in my plan. Mr. Moen indulged my fantasy and rather than using his position of authority to try to open my eyes to something, he put it in the hands of my classmates. That was a shrewd move on his part.

Finally a senior, I was faced with reality of having to decide what to do with my life after high school. Coincidentally, I discovered partying that year, so I actually gave my future very little thought. One might say I simply coasted to graduation. But I had good teachers. They had supported my interests for years. I am willing to bet they saw that I was sloughing off but continued to nudge me towards the finish line.

I was a lucky guy to have had a so many teachers who used their judgment as they guided me through the years rather than stomping my interests in the name of “zero tolerance.”

Nurture the child’s path,
John A-G

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 3:04:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [1]

Kurt Aumann auctions…highlight of career to sell his Chet's Collection collection Sold as-is, where-is with an inspection period before the auction. No price adjustments/ refunds. 5% buyers premium for in person 10% if paying by credit card Extended period storage available til pick-up. Absolute auction. No reserves. Broadcast live on internet in real time. Several phone bidders. All ringmen have phone bidders. Opened with a sale of one of the promotional banners with proceeds going to Rawhide Boys Home. $325

Friday, August 13, 2010 11:16:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

People are starting to filter into the covered bidding area. Various areas are "setting up camp". Computers are being booted and phones connected. The back of the tent has a food vending area that is about to kick open

The weather is still less than ideal...raining off and on, windy. But I am surprised at how many serious bidders are oblivious as they snap photos, crawl under and examine the jeeps. I get the sense several folks are bidding for someone in absetentia as I see a lot photos be taken and then sent via phone. A lot of phone conversations are occurring at particular vehicles.

Undertandably, the GPA and the prototypes are getting a lot of attention, however, I am surprised at the number of people expressing interest in the Marmon-Herrington 1/2-ton, and the VC Dodges as a whole collection. It is hard to predict prices on those, but I would estimate the Marmon Herrington at about $14,500 and none of the VCs to go past $20K each.

Chet still had one M274 and it is here. I estimate it will go around $6,500.

In the last hour, 26 more bidders have registered in person. To do so, a person must provide a license and proof of ability to purchase (bank letter, cashier's check, etc.) Registering online is closed.

The number of registered with two hours to go is very strong. It will probably reach 200 registered by opening bidding at 3PM.

All for now....

JAG-out

Friday, August 13, 2010 7:14:08 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

Big band music is stirring in the covered seated area at the Krause Jeep Auction. This is one class act. As each bidder registers, Aumann Auctions gives him or her a great collector's book with a die-cut Jeep design that lists each of 37 lots with a photo and descriptions. In addition, an addendum is included that corrects a few details in the booklet and adds two items that were not in the original listing:

Lot 36 M825 Recoilless Rifle 106mm wheel barrow mount

Lot 37 1941 1/2-ton Dodge VC-17 Carryall

Talking with Aumann employees, there are currently 107 registered bidders, 45 of which are online.

Getting back to the auction operation itself, the 37 lots are lined up on a blacktop surface for inspection and where they will remain during the bidding.

Rather than drive each vehicle "across the block", Aumann has set up a huge screen and will project a photo of each lot as it goes up for bid. Bidders have a nice covered, enclosed tent in which to sit.

Raining currently, but sun breaking through and temperature is comfortable. Tension is building as potential bidders keep one eye on a vehicle and the other on potential rivals. Just a few hours and the bidding will begin.

More to come....

JAG-out

Friday, August 13, 2010 6:17:43 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

Greetings,

It's about 11:30am and a storm just passed through. The auction begins at 3:00PM. right now, a break in the clouds and a lot of people are inspecting vehicles.

The Aumann Auction people just started registering bidders and said that they have about 50 bidders outside of the U.S.

A lot of folks are wondering about the GPA. This is a number one restoration and Chet spared no expense. The chances of him seeing a full return on investment seem remote, but we will see. Supply of number 1 restored GPAs is low, so no way to determine a price. I will not be surprised by bids hitting $180 thousand.

Also stirring a lot of activity and discussion in the 4-wheel steer Ford GP. Talk is bids will hit $45,000, but $60,000 would not surprise me.

Folks are concerned about the weather, but it really is not an issue. Those who are here to buy would weatther any store. The weather might wean some of the bargain shoppers, but what the heck...this isn't gonna be a "bargain auction".

More to follow...

John A-G

Friday, August 13, 2010 5:40:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

Greetings all,

I am in Topeka at the MVPA's 35th International Convention this week. I will try to give a quick set of impressions between pizza and sales.

I have to say, I am most struck by the quality of displays at this year's convention. The hobby is really evolving. Rather than a preponderance of "Show what I drove" types of entrants, there are a number of full-size dioramas featuring well-equipped mannequins. The dioramas tell a story rather than just being a hodge-podge of militaria. One display that sticks out in my mind is that of a WWII weather station with all the gear in addition to the CCKW and trailer. Well done!

The vendor floor is completely filled and activity is good. Today, the public was permitted entry and though I can't say we were swamped, traffic was steady.

One big success was the MVPA's integration of the modeling hobby by sharing space with the AMPS Regional. Outstanding representations of 1/72 and 1/35 scale dioramas and vehicles caught everyone's attention. The modelers, in turn, appreciate the opportunity to see vehicles like an M4A1 Sherman, M5 Stuart, LVT, RSO Raupenschlepper, Schwimmwagen and GPAs up close. The MVPA should be applauded for introducing this segment of enthusiasts to our hobby.

I will try to post a full photo report next week. In the meantime, congrats to the MVPA, their Board of the Directors and the hosts of the 35th Annual Convention.

John A-G

Editor, Military Vehicles

Saturday, July 10, 2010 3:45:22 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]