34.9 m (114 feet 6 inches). The owner of the collection, Kevin Wheatcroft, has been collecting military vehicles for 30 years. Restoring the craft is a painstaking process that is expected to take about five years. Jurassic Coast; Celebrations; Let's Explore Winter; Visit to the Rotunda; Remembrance Day; Diwali; Marvelous Maths; Christmas; Class 2. 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. There are so many amazing stories about this boat to be published. “The idea is that you’ll really step back in time, however finding the bits is some task — we’re looking for mundane things like sinks, wash basins, the galley cooker, knives, forks and plates”. His collection of German military vehicles includes 88 tanks and is widely acknowledged as the world’s biggest. The Wheatcroft Collection has for many years been very secretive. 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. 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. She is now being restored by the Wheatcroft collection www.s130… 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. Aircraft style instrument panels monitored performance of the three engines and instructions from the bridge were received on a miniature engine room telegraph. See www.s130.co.uk. The risk of fire was greatly diminished by the use of diesel fuel and by a built-in Ardex fire extinguishing system. 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. Not sure if this has been shared here before but last week I was in a meeting with Kevin Wheatcroft and by the sounds of it - some pretty cool news coming out of the collection soon, a new website and a load of other stuff coming from them. Wheatcroft Collection's S130 - The Last Survivor Has New Home. Although the engines were technological marvels, it still took well trained crewmen with steady nerves to keep them running. 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 final versions of the MB501 could propel the 100 ton boat to speeds of 43.8 knots. TWC update: A recent addition to the Collection is this spare bronze propeller recovered from a Schnellboot wreck. 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 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. Our School Year 2020-2021; Class Pages. 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 turret, recovered from a firing range, is Ausf F1 or G. The cupola is very early Ausf B - only used in the Polish campaign. Items in the collection. FURTHER UPDATES TO FOLLOW. 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. The Wheatcroft Collection. Collection of rose saucers: 6 very pretty English bone china Harry Wheatcroft saucers, perfect for a celebration. https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/wheatcroft-collection-5.html We were met by Kevin Wheatcroft who talked about his collection philosophy. The Wheatcroft Collection has for many years been very secretive. 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. S130 was involved in that action. 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Fairwell to the Wheatcroft Collection at Donington Park 30th October 2018 @Allontheboard 28th October 2018; Joseph Goddard’s beautiful bank 16th October 2018; Categories. The Collection has a website, which has an inventory. Whilst other items have been on loan to various museums worldwide. Finally made it to Kevin Wheatcroft's military Collection. S130. The Wheatcroft collections Daimler Armoured car takes refuge under a Schnellboot s130 cockpit. The Wheatcroft Collection in the United Kingdom is a large and important collection of historical softskin and armoured military vehicles. She was handed back to the Bundesmarine in the 50’s and was in continuous service in various guises until 1990. Events coming up this year - 2020; PTA Christmas Fair 6.12.2019; For Children. Wheatcroft School Association - PTA; Wrap Around School Care; PTA. It’s the only example of its type left in the world” he said, “I want it to become like something brought back from the past”. As owner of the world’s largest privately held collection of military vehicles, Kevin Wheatcroft envisions the restored vessel as being a “living memorial to all sailors who died during World War II. Built largely of lightweight wood and aluminum, it was powered by three 2,500-horsepower diesel engines. 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. 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. LINKS : PROJECT ASSOCIATES AND SITES OF INTEREST: Official S130 Site Research Co-ordinators, Archive Forum : The Wheatcroft Collection There are so many amazing stories about this boat to be published. The majority of the collection are German, American and British origin, with a smaller number of vehicles from, Japan, France, and Russia. image caption Kevin Wheatcroft bought the vessel to safeguard its future and restore it back to its 1943 configuration. The Wheatcroft collections Daimler Armoured car takes refuge under a Schnellboot s130 cockpit. S-130 – The Last Survivor The only known, surviving and seaworthy S-boot, S-130, was built at the Johann Schlichting boatyard as hull 1030 in Travemünde, on the Baltic Coast, and commissioned on October 21st 1943. 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. leicestershirelalala.com/the-wheatcroft-collection-the-future-war-rock-music 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! August 2020. The owner of the collection, Kevin Wheatcroft, has been collecting military vehicles for 30 years. It was subsequently returned to the German navy and used to train sailors in underwater weaponry before being decommissioned in 1991. With this in mind, coupled with Kevin’s reputation for attention to detail and superb restorations, this boat will be stunning when completed! The Wheatcroft Collection TWC update: The picture shows the Collection's team member, Bob joking with the owner of a Kriegsmarine toilet recently donated to the S130 Schnellboot project by a very loyal follower of the TWC Facebook page, the lovely Silke Warneke . The most Wheatcroft families were found in the UK in 1891. Posted by. The Wheatcroft Collection in the United Kingdom is a large and important collection of historical softskin and armored military vehicles. 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. TWC update: This is Bob one of our team members having successfully removed the remains of 7.5cm canon from a damaged Panzer IV Turret prior to its reconstruction in readiness for one of the collection's 6 Panzer IV’s. Whilst other items have been on loan to various museums worldwide. “Inviting interest around at around £1.2m, we were overwhelmed with initial enquiries, producing a variety of visions and plans. Wheatcroft’s family also owns the Donington Grand Prix Museum in Leicestershire. The collection has around 200 items, including more than 130 vehicles, of which 88 are tanks. Whilst not needed for TWC’s S130 Schnellboot, it will form part of an exhibition at S130’s new home in Richmond Dock, Appledore. Great link and just to let you know that part of the partnership with Pathfinder Online and Kevin Wheatcroft - we will bringing so much information about the S130 to the world. He commented, “We discovered Richmond Dock and after initial talks with the local authorities and Historic England, outlined our plans for Richmond as a working home for some of The Wheatcroft Collection’s historic boats, so returning Richmond Dock to its original intended use. 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