Stug III runners.

[r_hufschmied]

A small movie clip of two Finn Stug runners during the shooting of the movie "Tali-Ihantala 1944" earlier this month. These two Stugs have been restored to closely resemble the correct period appearance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnJvo1RTlmY

And a link to a Wiki summary of the last decisive battle fought and won by Finland during WW2. My grandfather was severely wounded during this battle, he later died at home.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tali-Ihantala

The related T34/85 movie clip might also be of interest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItxyljJVDAI

[RTY]

Thank You!

Have You seen photos of the StuG'restoration process?

[r_hufschmied]

Thank You!

Have You seen photos of the StuG'restoration process?

Yes, I've seen photos. Some are viewable at Andreas Lärkas excellent site:
http://www.andreaslarka.net/. The Stug's in question are two of ca. 33 surviving Stug III's in Finland. These two were among the best suited for period accurate restoration, removing most of the post-war modifications in the process. You must keep in mind that none of the tanks were wrecks at any point, derelict yes but not wrecks.

[Oelsardine]

Heart rending metal...

Puh...
The Wreck-Pictures were taken in 2004...i´ll hope some (or should i say ALL..) of these neglected StuG´s got some general overhaul in the meantime

[r_hufschmied]

Puh...
The Wreck-Pictures were taken in 2004...i´ll hope some (or should i say ALL..) of these neglected StuG´s got some general overhaul in the meantime

Sadly no, most are still just decaying. There's just not enough money (where have we heard that before?). The staff and volunteers at the Parola Armor Museum are doing what they can and have an ambition to save as many as possible and to restore them (if possible) to running condition.

[Oelsardine]

Money for Nothing

There's just not enough money (where have we heard that before?)

This is heard to often....

Wondering why they dont sell one or two to other Museums to have some extra Money for the restoration.
Sounds hard but if they split the costs between some Museums it would be better than let the rust do the final work

Not long ago ive seen some photos of the Army Museum in Thun, Switzerland.....same problem as mentioned..no money...rusty tanks

If i had some spare money... "Gold gab ich für Eisen" would be the Motto

[Alan Smith]

Nice photos and information. Yes, one really wonders why the museum does not sell some of the excess inventory of Stug's on the open market, in order to generate restoration funds for the others.

My guess is that Finland may have some sort of legal restictions as to the sale of surplus war machinery and/or a prohibition on the export of such items that have historical value. In other words, the museum may very well be receptive to the sales idea but is precluded from disposing of any of its holdings due to applicable rules, policies, or law.

Pretty wild to learn of approximately 33 Stugs in a single country; I suspect that Finland must have the highest concentration of surviving Stugs of any country in the World.

[r_hufschmied]

Nice photos and information. Yes, one really wonders why the museum does not sell some of the excess inventory of Stug's on the open market, in order to generate restoration funds for the others.

My guess is that Finland may have some sort of legal restictions as to the sale of surplus war machinery and/or a prohibition on the export of such items that have historical value. In other words, the museum may very well be receptive to the sales idea but is precluded from disposing of any of its holdings due to applicable rules, policies, or law.

Pretty wild to learn of approximately 33 Stugs in a single country; I suspect that Finland must have the highest concentration of surviving Stugs of any country in the World.

I have, through proxy, introduced the idea of a sale of some of the Stug's to aid the preservation of the majority of the fleet but the idea crashed and burned. Many of the Finnish Stug's have already found their way into other museum collections and in the case of one tank to a private venture (may have been by accident?) with Bob Fleming in charge. That tank is now in the Littlefield Collection, immaculately restored. There might be red tape, at least a ton bureaucracy, but if there is a will there is a way ...

Yep, 33 Stug's preserved in one country is pretty hard to beat. But you have to remember that the Finn's, like the Russians and Swedes for that matter, never used to scrap anything. Even though most of these tanks were decommissioned early on, early 60's, many were still on active duty as fixed emplacements well into the 80's. After that they were all placed in depots and some (not many) were assigned as hard targets along the way.

[r_hufschmied]

Finland puts old armor on sale!

Well slap me silly,

I hardly had sent the post before this turned up. Someone was listening, finally!



Finns sell Charioteers, Comets AND Stug's!

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtop...8d3d8449035f8c

Quick translation of the Finnish text.

"The Finnish Defense Force puts old armor on sale."

The sale/auction consists of 15 Charioteers and 4 Comets, more or less complete. Some are missing engines and transmissions. Also on sale are three Stug wrecks (it really says wrecks), they are hulls and superstructures only. All armament will be dactivated prior to sale. The auction takes
place on September 29th. The tanks will be viewable with photo opportunity on three separate occasions before the auction."

Man ... wow,
The articles also says that this was made possible partly on the request of the arms collecting community and that they expect to make a good profit on it ... I would think so ... wow.