[bsmith13]

If you are reading this, chances are you collect diecast airplanes (or tanks). I know that several board members also collect aviation art and books. Does anyone collect any other type of aviation memorabilia or toy? I have most of the Hallmark "Sky's the Limit" ornaments, and I have a lot of MicroMachine airplanes as well. What about the rest of you?

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

If you are reading this, chances are you collect diecast airplanes (or tanks). I know that several board members also collect aviation art and books. Does anyone collect any other type of aviation memorabilia or toy? I have most of the Hallmark "Sky's the Limit" ornaments, and I have a lot of MicroMachine airplanes as well. What about the rest of you?

Mostly aviation books and models. Some DVD's and art prints.

[Cavtanker]

I collect WWII German Panzer books and books on Abrams tanks. I tried a military headgear collection. So far I have a U.S. Army beret (duh!) and a British Army one. Customs wouldn't let me take my IED shrapnel collection home, despite all the H*LL I went through to get that shrapnel in the first place! I guess I just collect dust now.

[Shawn 507]

Nice avatar CavTanker, I like it! You screwed up and admitted to having the bits of shrapnel. Unless it was so big as to draw attention. LOL
As for my library, its centers around WW2 armor and WW2 in general. Unfortunately I don't have the aircraft reference section you all do. I've collected uniforms and bits of uniforms over the years from all my travels.

[Rush104]

Going along with this discussion, what is the most unusual/rare piece of memorabilia in your collection(s)?

[bsmith13]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Going along with this discussion, what is the most unusual/rare piece of memorabilia in your collection(s)?

When I was an enlisted radio maintenance troop, I spent my two weeks of summer camp out in scenic sunny Wendover. As some of you may know, Wendover Army Air Field is where the 509th Bomb Group was based as it trained to drop atomic bombs. I was nosing around the airfield, and found the gun pit where the B-29s test-fired their guns. I started digging around the pit with the toe of my boot, and found a spent but nearly undamaged .50 slug. Excited, I continued looking, and found a corroded green .50 shell casing.

[Cavtanker]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Going along with this discussion, what is the most unusual/rare piece of memorabilia in your collection(s)?

A piece of marble from a Saddam palace.

Yes, Shawn, I DID have shrapnel pieces, but they did not come home with me. You'd also be surprised what some personnel try to bring home with them.

[Shawn 507]

I have my grandfather's AGO card after he got his commision. I really like my Aussie lemon squeezer hat. But my favorite bit of kit is the British RM windproof, I got that in a trade for thirty 30 round M16 magazines. The Brit wanted them for his SA-80 and to trade with his mates. He claimed they were like gold, I told him they were a dime a dozen for us. I've got an old Dutch unifrom and new German commo uniform. An Danish jacket with the rain deflector for the shoulders. A ton of various head gear, and badges. I'm still on the prowl for a set of DPM and Aussie cammo. Some day I'll get to see how it works turkey hunting.
- Shawn

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by Cavtanker

A piece of marble from a Saddam palace.

Yes, Shawn, I DID have shrapnel pieces, but they did not come home with me. You'd also be surprised what some personnel try to bring home with them.

I wouldn't be all that suprised. But I did hear it was easier right after OIF 1 to sneak some stuff in.

[Cavtanker]

My fav story about Iraq souvenirs is a guy who bought an ejection seat from a MIG off a black market. He was unable to take it home because EOD said the rocket/priming charge/whatever it is that makes the ejection seat fly reallly fast was still live. So, EOD had to take it out to a secluded place and blow it up.


And he didn't get his money back for it, either! it!