Two significant Second World War vehicles are beginning restoration work at CWM, funded by the Friends.

Some years ago, the Friends donated $30,000 for restoration work on a Ram gun tank in the CWM collection. For various reasons, including the move to the present building, that work was not begun. Now, however, with the completion of the Panther tank restoration, space and time are available. The Ram tank has been taken off the floor of the Le Breton Gallery into the workshop area.

The Ram is historically important because it was a tank designed and built in Canada. Some 2,000 Mark I and Mark II Rams were produced. Canadian armoured units used the Ram for training in the UK but were eventually equipped with the Sherman tank for operations in Italy and Northwest Europe. However, variants of the Ram were used as artillery OP tanks after D-Day. Some Rams were converted into armoured personnel carriers, others into recovery vehicles and flame throwing tanks. The second vehicle now beginning the road to restoration is a Fordson Model E83W 10 cwt truck that had been converted into an emergency food van. These trucks were used to provide tea and other refreshments to emergency personnel and the public during the Blitz in England. Canteen trucks such as this one were commonly used by the Salvation Army, the YMCA, WRVS and NAAFI.

Work on both vehicles will be done by contractor and volunteer crews under the direction of Jim Whitham, the collections manager responsible for the technical gallery. These restorations are part of a projected five year plan for the gallery that will eventually see more vehicles, weapons and artifacts acquired and restored. The Friends expect to play an important role in funding various other projects in future.

FCWM will be following the restoration of these vehicles on our website (www.friends-amis.org) with pictures and commentary updated frequently. :