The Wheatcroft Military Collection is believed to be the largest private collection of military vehicles in the world with an estimated value of around £100 million. German authorities credited the S130’s crew with half of a “kill” after launching one torpedo which struck LST 507 during Exercise Tiger, at least 175 American soldiers and sailors aboard the landing craft were later confirmed dead. Events coming up this year - 2020; PTA Christmas Fair 6.12.2019; For Children. War History Online was given exclusive access to the boatyard, which sits at the end of a winding country road near Plymouth to witness the restoration’s progress. In November a number of MAFVA members took part in a visit to the privately owned Wheatcroft Collection in Leicestershire, arranged by Friends of the Tank Museum. Restoring the craft is a painstaking process that is expected to take about five years. Situated in the middle of the hull, the engine room reflected thorough German planning and smart design inherent in the entire S-Boat program. This WW1 Battle was like Something out of a Horror Movie, Live Like a Bond Villain, 3 Remote Napoleonic-Era Forts For Sale, Eleven Military Uniforms That Got Soldiers Killed, French Couple Discovered WWII Cache of Weapons Hidden in Their Home, The Highest-Scoring Female Fighter Ace Ever: The Short but Daring Life of Lydia Litvyak, Exploring the wreck of the Bismarck – and it is in remarkable condition, RIP ‘Wild Geese’ Star and Battle-Hardened Veteran Ian Yule. The owner of the collection, Kevin Wheatcroft, has been collecting military vehicles for 30 years. 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Austro-Hungarian Empire: Maschinengewehr Schwarzlose M. 07/12 Weight 19.6 kg gun +21,8 kg tripod Length 945 mm Barrel length 530 mm Cartridge 8×50mmR Mannlicher Action Toggle-delayed blowback Rate of fire 400-580 rpm Feed system 250-rounds cloth belt France: Mitrailleuse Hotchkiss Modèle 1914 Weight 25.3 kg + 26,7 kg omnibus tripod Length 1390 mm Barrel length 787 mm Cartridge 8×50R … S130 at speed The last-known remaining craft of its type was bought by British military vehicle collector Kevin Wheatcroft, who is spending about 5 million pounds to return the boat to its original condition. Walking around the huge boathouse you can’t really fully comprehend the size of the boat until you climb up the ladders and step on the deck –  here you see how big the S130 really is!!! His father Tom Wheatcroft made his fortune from the construction industry, building a thriving business just after the war and he used his money to collect cars, eventually starting a grand prix collection and even building his own racing team in 1970. Kevin Wheatcroft aims to rebuild the S130 so that it performs exactly as it did when it left the Johann Schlichting boatyard in 1943…. 95. One of North Devon’s historical gems has been sold by specialist Commercial Property Consultant Kevin Underwood, acting jointly with local agents Morris and Bott, with offices in Bideford and Appledore. But sadly is not updated on a regular basis and the last entry was in 2008. S-boats were configured with three diesel engines driving three prop shafts, specially developed MAN and Daimler Benz engines were fitted in the early S-boats. The owner of the collection, Kevin Wheatcroft, has been collecting military vehicles for 30 years. This major museum is located at Donnington motor racing circuit & is open to the public 7 days a week. Respecting the importance of the dock to the village we were delighted when we were contacted by The Wheatcroft Collection, who uniquely wanted to acquire a significant dock for the purpose for which it was built! Post-war she served in the Navy’s “Baltic Fisheries Protection Fleet” skippered by Sir John Harvey Jones. 7th November 2004. This was about 33% of all the recorded Wheatcroft's in the USA. Items in the collection. The Wheatcroft Collection is one of the world’s largest private held collections of The most Wheatcroft families were found in the UK in 1891. These are 20-cylinder 2000 hp Daimler Benz MB501 diesels driving three huge prop shafts. This research paper explores the developing relationship between University of Plymouth and the Wheatcroft Collection as they collaborate to preserve sole surviving Schnellboot, S 130. After the Normandy invasion, it was seized by Britain and used by intelligence service MI6 as a British Baltic Fishery Protection Service, to infiltrate spies behind the Iron Curtain. Whilst not needed for TWC’s S130 Schnellboot, it will form part of an exhibition at S130’s new home in Richmond Dock, Appledore. The Wheatcroft Collection in the United Kingdom is a large and important collection of historical softskin and armoured military vehicles. They operated out of Rotterdam until mid-February 1944, when they re-deployed to Cherbourg in order to reinforce the 5th Flotilla (under Korvettenkapitän Bernd Klug) in their operations throughout the Central and Western Channel area. The Wheatcroft Collection in the United Kingdom is a large and important collection of historical softskin and armoured military vehicles.It is one of the largest private collection of military vehicles in the world. It was subsequently returned to the German navy and used to train sailors in underwater weaponry before being decommissioned in 1991. Dr. Harry Bennett, a World War II expert based at Britain’s University of Plymouth, compared the S130 to an “ocean-going shark.”, “The S-boats would go out into the English Channel looking for targets of opportunity, they would sit there in the dead of night with their engines idling, wait for the enemy, fire a torpedo and be gone before anybody even knew what was going on.”. The Wheatcroft Collection TWC update: A recent addition to the Collection is this spare bronze propeller recovered from a Schnellboot wreck. Richmond Dock Appledore N Devon was originally built in 1856 and is an impressive dock measuring approaching 100 metre long, and was a key marine asset within the Bristol Channel and a key part of the village’s rich history over generations.” explained Kevin Underwood, who continued “Now a Grade II* Listed Building the dock is an integral part of this highly popular village standing on the Torridge estuary.”. 1 year ago. Article by War History Online. The last-known remaining craft of its type was bought about two years ago by British military vehicle collector Kevin Wheatcroft for 1 pound (about $1.60). The owner of the collection, Kevin Wheatcroft, has been collecting military vehicles for over 40 years. 34.9 m (114 feet 6 inches). Kevin Wheatcroft stands in his private home in England in 2015, next to what he says was Adolf Hitler's favorite war portrait of himself. Having moved S130 to Plymouth, she has now been bought by Kevin Wheatcroft, who has started a full restoration project on her. Commissioned on October 21st 1943, her Commanding Officer was Oberleutnant zur See Gunter Rabe, she was assigned to the 9th S-Boot Flotilla under the command of Korvettenkapitän Götz Freiherr von Mirbach, one of the most famous S-Boot commanders of the war. The last surviving Schnellboot S130 currently undergoing restoration at The Wheatcroft Collection [960 x 720] She is now being restored by the Wheatcroft collection www.s130… S130 was involved in that action. The ship’s guts have been stripped out and its armoured wheelhouse and bridge removed, the next step is for a 40ft keel weighing about two tons to be installed. Posted by. 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The Wheatcroft Collection in the United Kingdom is a large and important collection of historical softskin and armored military vehicles. See www.s130.co.uk. Kevin WHeatcroft of the Wheatcroft Collection has bought Richmond dry dock in Appledore and intends to store historic vesels there, including a former German E boat. The majority of the collection is of German, American and British origin, with a smaller number of vehicles from Norway, Japan, France, Russia and Sweden. It is one of the largest private collection of military vehicles in the world. “This major investment in the region is a significant signal of the continued appeal and confidence in the region, with this project hopefully adding to the vibrancy and economic viability of the village and Torridgeside more widely” added Adam Bott Director of Morris and Bott. The Wheatcroft Collection Museum brp architects have completed the initial design for a new motor museum for what is to be the largest private collection of motor vehicles in the world. https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/wheatcroft-collection-5.html In 1938 the Naval staff decided upon the reliable 20 Cylinder 2000hp MB501 V-engine as the standard S-boat powerplant. The collection has around 200 items, including more than 130 vehicles, of which 88 are tanks.The majority of the collection is of German, American and British origin, with a smaller number of vehicles from Norway, Japan, France, Russia and Sweden. The Collection has a website, which has an inventory. 8 posts Wheatcroft Collection - The Research Squad question. The last surviving Schnellboot S130 currently undergoing restoration at The Wheatcroft Collection [960 x 720] Close. image copyright Wheatcroft Collection. The Wheatcroft Collection. The MB501 proved highly dependable and a versatile basis for later improvements such as the addition of superchargers. The two Flotillas in Cherbourg were directed from his HQ on the French mainland by Kapitän zur See Petersen (later to become Commander of the whole German Schnellbootwaffe) – www.bmpt.org.uk. The final versions of the MB501 could propel the 100 ton boat to speeds of 43.8 knots. The collection has around 200 items, including more than 130 vehicles, of which 88 are tanks.The majority of the collection is of German, American and British origin, with a smaller number of vehicles from, Japan, France, and Russia. WW2 Schnellboot. Our first priority is to ‘make safe and clean the site’ of the detritus left by the previous owners’ activities”. Restoring the craft is a painstaking process that is expected to take about five years. At a storey high and 115ft long, with a top speed of 40 knots and the ability to fire torpedoes, it was a monster of the seas. German E Boat S130 (The last) The Wheatcroft Collection the restoration is underway Posted by Ali1kj on Friday, May 9, 2008 1:25 AM Hi Guys S130 at speed The last-known remaining craft of its type was bought by British military vehicle collector Kevin Wheatcroft, who is spending about 5 million pounds to return the boat to its original condition. August 2020. Schnellboot S130. A Fast and Dangerous Lady - The Story of Schnellboot S-130. Post-war she served in the Navy’s “Baltic Fisheries Protection Fleet” skippered by Sir John Harvey Jones. It later served as a houseboat before being brought to Britain and falling into disrepair. It is one of the largest private collection of military vehicles in the world. S130 was involved in that action. Restoring the craft is a painstaking process that is expected to take about five years. She was handed back to the Bundesmarine in the 50’s and was in continuous service in various guises until 1990. Collection of rose saucers: 6 very pretty English bone china Harry Wheatcroft saucers, perfect for a celebration. Annesvintagedelights From shop Annesvintagedelights Around 10% of the Wheatcroft collection was on display at Donnington Park, where Military machines met Formula F1 cars. This is down to many items being so rare. Whilst looking around we also stumbled across 4 huge engines, 3 of which will be installed in to the S130…. Our School Year 2020-2021; Class Pages. Class 1. The Wheatcroft collections Daimler Armoured car takes refuge under a Schnellboot s130 cockpit. Throughout her service, her radio callsign was “Rabe” (Raven), her dashing Master was known by all in the 5th and 9th Flotillas as “The Raven” and she wore a ship’s crest incorporating a raven in addition to the usual 9th Flotilla sign. Wheatcroft Collection's S130 - The Last Survivor Has New Home. The turret, recovered from a firing range, is Ausf F1 or G. The cupola is very early Ausf B - only used in the Polish campaign. Wheatcroft, whose family owns Britain’s Donington Park race circuit, described S-boats as “without a doubt the most sinister, purpose-built killing machines”. With a range of up to 700 miles and a crew of 35, S130 was used as a fast-attack craft, for mine-laying, targeting submarines with depth charges and for covert operations. You can follow The Wheatcroft Collection on, 1856 and is an impressive dock measuring approaching 100 metre long, and was a key marine asset within the Bristol Channel and a key part of the village’s rich history over generations.” explained Kevin Underwood, who continued “Now a Grade II* Listed Building the dock is an integral part of this highly popular village standing on the Torridge estuary.”, SS Richard Montgomery Contains Enough Munitions to Create a Tsunami, Footage taken at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier: The crowd starts to get loud & the Sentinel calls them out, Out of fuel: Pilot Landed on a Container Ship – The Ship Claimed the Plane Under Salvage Rights (Watch), In 1914, A Soldiers Average Height Was 5’2” & Canadian Troops Had The Highest Rates Of Venereal Disease, Attack of the Dead Men! Whilst other items have been on loan to various museums worldwide. The owner of the collection, Kevin Wheatcroft, has been collecting military vehicles for 30 years. Her Commanding Officer was Oberleutnant zur See Gunter Rabe and she was assigned to the 9th S-Boot Flotilla (commanded by Korvettenkapitän Götz Freiherr von Mirbach, one of the most famous S-Boot commanders of the war) to reinforce their presence in the Southern North Sea. The collection has around 200 items, including more than 130 vehicles, of which 88 are tanks. The World War II German Motor Torpedo Boat (S-130) acquired by the Wheatcroft Collection in 2009 is a case in point. Driven by the passion of the The Wheatcroft Collection’s owner, Kevin Wheatcroft, his search took him to all parts of the UK and indeed on to the continent. This is just a small part of his collection. S130 is now part of the Wheatcroft Collection and Roving Commissions will be restoring the vessel to her original WW2 German specification, including engines and armaments, and the process can be followed on this site as the work progresses. 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