A "wish I had my camera' moment

[406 Silverado]

ok, was with the missus all day yesterday driving through Connecticut,Ma. Besides seeing an army/navy surplus store with what looked like a Chaffee tank, I also saw something else.
This was one of those wish I had the camera moments. It was a VFW or American Legion hall with...............an M4 easy eight Sherman parked right out front. I mean it was about 30 feet from the road, on a slight hill. It looked huge when driving by.
Man was I pissed I didn't have the camera with me. This tank looked like those that I build, faded green paint and lots of rust.

So am I the only one who's had this moment, not the first time for me , or do you guys get that too. Back when I drove thru Belgium and Luxumburg there were plenty of those moments.

So lets here your "wish I had my camera" story. Or if you did have it, lets see what you've seen and photographed.

[spud]

lol this happens me all the time ive spent about 10 grand on all my camra gear and it sits at home most of the time :/.
and rob that sucks i would say it will teach you a lesson but it doesnt really

[stevereid]

Rob-
In the days leading up to the start of ODS the ship I was on passed through the Suez Canal. I was up on the deck one morning after the midnight watch- you could look over the port rail and see the Israeli Sinai. Over the starboard rail- Egypt.

Both countries had a military presence on the shore line- basically outposts with many radio antenna's. All with US made M 151 Mutt's parked beside them- and those Mutts were hammered. Dented- and being used long after they should have been scrapped.

On the Israeli side I saw some absolutely wrecked tanks- great inspiration for you- turretless Sherman hulls in the desert, and closer to the water knocked out vehicles only recognizable by their tracks and roadwheels. The suspension bits looked like PT-76's but they upper hulls had no turret rings?? Probably OT-64's

On the Egyptian side just as we were leaving the canal and entering the red sea- I saw a Centurian tank- in what looked like a park or public area on the water front. Must have been an Israeli war trophy.

You know what they say- Pics or it never happened. :-)

I had no camera. :-( Hard to believe in this day and age when everyone's phone has one!

Found a shot on Google Images:

USS Mississippi CGN-40 entering the Suez.


I would not want to have had to make that transit without air superiority.
Steve

[406 Silverado]

Nice shot and story Steve. I did take some pics in ODS but lost a few rolls of film along the way back then.

The past few years has made it easy as far as taking pics. We now have digi cameras and like Steve said, cell phones that take pics.

[bigjohn]

The wife and I was invited to a wedding, and the reception was at a VFW hall. When we pulled in I saw a Sherman sitting on the hill out front. The wife went inside to find us a table, I went around front to see the Sherman, lol

All I had on me was my cell phone, it was getting late, and had to deal with some sun glare. I would like to go back one day and take some good picture with my camera.

[wbill76]

Came across this odd beast (later found out what it was by posting the pics, a "Burma" Jeep) while walking my dog in the neighborhood. Phone camera came in handy both to satisfy my curiosity and learn something new! Had no idea the vehicle even existed prior to coming across it and asking about it.

[spud]

fine looking truck it is too

[bigjohn]

Thats pretty cool bill. At least its a Ford, LOL That sherman I posted above is also a Ford.

[spud]

looks like a sherman to me....

[406 Silverado]

john nice shot of the Shermy bro.

Bill I am not surprised that there would be an odd ball vehicle in El Paso. I think out there and in NM one would see a lot of old vehicles. especially in the Albequeque and white sands areas.

[bigjohn]

LOL spud, its a sherman built by Ford.

[spud]

o.O well i never new they did that ;D so does it have a ford badge on it then

[wbill76]

Very true Rob, especially since it's perfect for off-roading in the deserts around here. I've also seen what I swear was a Kubelwagen once but was only a glimpse down a side road and didn't have my camera.

[spud]

lol

[paulh]

My Wish I had a camera moment;

Last summer travelling to West Wales came upon a slow moving convoy of 8 Challanger 2s and 2 CrARVs on their transporters in a BATUS type of scheme- (dark green and sand) along with other stuff including Sultan ACCV, & various Landrovers, Prinzgauer and GS trucks- probalbly comming away from Castlemartin.

Gutted I was - kids loved it though, talked about it for days after while I was quietly seething for not have my magic box at hand
P

[Thom]

Wish I had another roll of film.

I was in Colmar France a few years ago and walking around taking b&w photos using my film camera (I left my digital in the room). When I ran out of film so as I was walking back to my hotel to get more film I walked past this Sherman M4A1 in prestine condition it was part of the 5th armored division. The worst part about it I was unable ot get back to that spot to take pictures of it because of my schedule.

Oh well some day when I go back I'll take pics of it.

Cheers,
Thom