RENEDK MODELS: January 2015

29 January 2015

Classic Truck & Machinery Show (Geelong)

After experiencing my first 'Truck Muster' back in November last year I was really looking forward to attending the '2015 Geelong Classic Truck & Vintage Machinery Show', as by all accounts it promised to be something quite different.

Although this is a two day event I decided to go on the Saturday as the weather looked liked being a bit cooler and overcast, which is perfect for taking photographs and might also deter any large crowds, which is just the way I like it.

In hindsight though it may have been better to go on the Sunday as it appeared that even more vehicles turned up later on the Saturday and early Sunday, which meant I missed out on seeing quite a few of them, which is a lesson learnt for next time.

Despite this, there were still plenty of vehicles, tractors and stationary engines to look at and admire as well as the main machinery shed, with the latter containing a fully functional boiler that provided steam to a huge array of working steam engines, including one from a former ship. All in all it was 3 hours well spent and I am now looking forward to attending the 2016 event, with a much better understanding of what to expect next time.

Caterpillar D2 Logging Dozer

1950 Austin K2 Loadstar

1964 Ford Thames Trader

Dodge Tow-truck

1939 Dodge Fargo Tip-truck

1946 Kenworth W Model, International KB7 & Mack Model B

Dodge Tow-truck

1947 Dodge Fargo

1961 Foden Dual Steer Tip Truck

1943 Mack NR

1947 International KB1

Speedway Car

Tractor's a plenty

1950 Lansing Bagnall Tug

International BTD6 Bulldozer

Early Jelbart Tractor

Jelbart Light Oil Tractor

Stationary Engines

Willys & Dodge Fire Trucks

1956 Willys Tanker Truck

SEC Dodge Fire Engine

SAAB 96

09 January 2015

National Vietnam Veterans Musuem

It's been about 3 to 4 years since I last visited the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Newhaven and during this time a significant number of changes have occurred. Most noticeable is the doubling of the museums display building, which has allowed all of the larger exhibits to now be housed indoors and undercover, something that is essential especially considering its proximity to the sea.

During this time the museum has also acquired several new exhibits, consisting of a Tracker, Iroquios, Wessex and Canberra, and is currently in the process of redeveloping its displays, to give a better overview of the Vietnam War as a whole as well as Australia's involvement. All of the changes made to date are quite refreshing as previously the museum was presented more as a memorial to past veterans and as such was somewhat cold and uninteresting. This redevelopment is designed to turn the museum into a major local tourist attraction, which can only be a good for its long term future.

The Museum is also awaiting delivery of an Australian Army International 4x4 truck and has put in a request for an M113 APC, which is very much on its wish list.

Therefore, if you haven't visited the museum before, or like me not for a while, then it may be time to pop in and have a look at what's been going on, as you won't be disappointed.

Grumman S-2G Tracker