Technical info about Goliaths

[rkdek]

Ordnance,

Try Vintage imports for parts.

[Ordnance]

Goliath Photos

I will try to post occasional updates as things progress, but the pace might be slow. The most important thing was to get the tracks off and start them soaking in penetrating oil. This should take at least a month as all but two or three links are frozen in position. I would post a photo directly but it seems I am prohibited from doing so by the Forum rules. But here are a few links to my photo storage site of photos from last month:

http://photos.imageevent.com/ricklar...oliath%201.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ricklar...0motor%20E.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ricklar...0motor%20A.jpg

I had a nice discussion with the fellow from Vintage-Imports on the phone the other day and followed up with an email. It dosen't look like he has much for parts, though. Also just ordered a copy of the Funklenkpanzer book to learn more about remote controlled German vehicles and am anticipating its arrival soon. Finally, I've really enjoyed following Jean-Loup's developing story of the weasel destroyed by the Goliath and hope to hear more tales of the ineffectual little beasts at work.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Rick, welcome to the forum!


Your new toy looks like it will make a great restoration. I am really looking forwards to seeing it progress. Please keep us posted as you carry out the work.

Cheers, Ade.

[Ordnance]

Thanks for the welcome...

to the Forum. Having collected U.S. ordnance, weapons, and vehicles for many years, I really never thought I'd end up owning anything German. Not that I didn't appreciate it, but there isn't much here in the Northwest U.S. other than a few R-75's and other motorcycles, and a very nice Kubel and Kettenkrad owned by a friend in Washington State. But all of that gear seems pretty well fixed in other collections and too expensive to buy anyway. But along came the Goliath, which seemed like a perfect mix for my interests.....a small tracked vehicle and an explosive ordnance item all rolled into a tiny, affordable package. I'm sure my total budget on this project wouldn't even be in the same league as replacing the track pins on a Wheatcroft or Littlefield restoration. But hey, it's armored, it's tracked, and it's WWII German in origin, even if laughably small and ineffectual in historical significance. I still think it's mighty cute.

I tip my hat to those with the means to restore the really rare an exotic armored vehicles that still survive for the benefit of future generations. It's especially nice to see those brought back from range hulks to levels of restored beauty that rival anything seen at an antique auto concours. I'll do my best to keep the group updated on my small contibution to that spirit.

Rick

[Jean-Loup]

Suprised to see this thread still alive.
I will translate and post the story of how the goliath destroyed the US vehicle.

JL

[Jean-Loup]

The

[Ordnance]

Thank you for those details.

That is a very interesting story and certainly the only episode I've heard of where a Goliath was used effectively against a U.S. Military vehicle. Every bit of information is appreciated when restoring a vehicle and building a historical presentation for its display someday. Goliaths certainly weren't in competition with the V-2 or ME-262 as the ultimate German secret weapon of WWII, but some were used operationally in a successful manner, and this story is the most interesting I've heard yet. Thanks again for taking the time to interview the local residents who witnessed this event and preserving it for the enjoyment of the small Goliath fan club.

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks for your interest. In all, I have four different accounts of the events. Since it is the only case where I heard of a goliath actualy being successfull against a vehicle, I took on myself to find out a maximum of real info about the event. Lots of unknown events happen in a war... All the details about Omaha beach are famous, and on the other hand, there are entire war fronts that are almost forgotten... Madagascar, Somalia, Burma, etc...
If anyone ever wants to use this story for a book or something, tell me, and I will provide more info. I am curently trying to find one of the US soldiers who may have been there.
JL