- Garry_RedmonAll came from the Ropkey Museum in Indiana. Apparently they weren't supposed to be there . . . legally. There are no plans right now to do anything with them since there isn't any better storage at Richardson. They'll probably eventually go to Benning as well.
- Neil_BaumgardnerJoe, Actually... In this particular case, TACOM has responsibility for all US Army donated items - right down to M1 Garand rifles. They're all in the TACOM Central Registry of donated items... Neil
- bsmartI believ technically they were loans. The U.S. Government very often would supply equipment to various municipal and state organizations but it is all technically as a loan with the U.S. Government retaining title. I know the Maryland State Police used to have a LARC (I think it was a LARC and not a BARC) at one of the Barracks near the Chesepeake bay that they would use for flood recues. The Frederick County Sherrif had an M20 armored car that when they went to dispose of found out they didn't own it, that it was still owned by the U.S. Army. It is now at Aberdeen awaiting refurb (I've been told it is slated to go to the planned Museum of the U.S. Army)
I think over the years some caretakers of loaned equipment forgot that it was only a loan and when they no longer wanted it disposed of it as they saw fit. In some cases I believe it was all done in good faith, in others I'm not so sure. Then there were people or groups that acquired 'surplus' equipment through other means, some legitimatly, that are now caught up in a 'We may have sold it to you but we shouldn't have and now we are taking it back if you can't prove you bought it legally in the first place (and sometimes even if you can)'
just my views of a messy situation
- Geoff_waldenThese ex-Ropkey vehicles have been moved to storage at Richardson Tank Park. Perhaps a museum volunteer can provide more info. Some of the folks at Richardson can get a little bent out of shape when they see someone they don't know walk in there.
Geoff Walden
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