A 1945 Centurion tank, a 1940s US military truck, a 1930s Austin 8 military car and a parachute are among a collection of vintage military vehicles and paraphernalia being put under the hammer by Brian Mack, a farmer from Downham Market, Norfolk.
Mr Mack is retiring from farming after more 60 years working two farms with his son, including 130 acres of sugarbeet, wheat and barley. The farm is being sold separately.
Brian Mack of Rookery Farm, Denver, Downham Market, says: “I started my collection in 2001 when I went to the Harrogate vintage machinery sale to buy a motorbike. I saw a Fordson WOT2 truck in desert trim and remembered seeing them on the roads during the war. A wave of nostalgia hit me, so I bid on it…and won.
“Since then I’ve gradually built up my collection and joined the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group, attending shows and rallies to raise money for charity. I’ve enjoyed every minute, but maintaining the collection is a lot of work and I’m not getting any younger.”
Mr Mack is retiring, selling both his farm and his collection of machines which also contains some vintage tractors including an Allis Chalmers Model B, a 1949 Field Marshall Series 2 and a 1955 Ferguson TEF20.
Jeremy Curzon, Associate at Cheffins, says: “There are some fabulous vehicles in Brian’s collection, including the most aggressive looking Volvo in the world – a 1954 all-terrain command vehicle – and a fully equipped Royal Engineers mobile workshop from the 1960s.
“Along with a few vintage tractors, trailers and trucks, we hope to start the auction with the boom of a 25-pounder field gun – another of the lots on offer – instead of the traditional sound of the auctioneer’s bell.”
