Combat Dealers Season 3 Episode 10 The Sherman
- January 1, 1970
- 44 min
In this episode of Combat Dealers, titled The Sherman, the dynamic duo of military antique dealers, Bruce Crompton and Freddy Frankham, continue their quest for rare and unique items from World War II. This time, they set their sights on the iconic American tank, the M4 Sherman.
The episode kicks off with the pair en route to a military tank museum in England. Here, they meet with a tank enthusiast who is looking to sell his fully-restored M4 Sherman tank. The tank weighs in at a staggering 30 tons and is equipped with a powerful 75mm gun. Bruce and Freddy are eager to get a closer look at this impressive machine and see if they can strike a deal.
After inspecting the tank, Bruce and Freddy begin negotiations with the owner. They know that this tank is a rare piece and it could potentially fetch a high price at auction. However, they are also aware that acquiring such a large item could present logistical challenges, as they need to figure out how to transport it safely to their own warehouse.
As they haggle over the price, Bruce and Freddy get a little help from an unexpected source. A veteran of the US Army, who served as a Sherman tank gunner during World War II, visits the museum. He provides valuable insights on what it was like to fight in the tank and shares his personal experiences from the war. This proves to be a touching moment for Bruce and Freddy, who are always seeking to connect with history in a meaningful way.
With the negotiations finally resolved, Bruce and Freddy manage to secure the M4 Sherman tank. However, they soon discover that transporting it is no easy feat. They need to find a specialist carrier who can safely transport the tank without damaging it or any other vehicles on the road.
After a lengthy search, they find a carrier who has experience in transporting military vehicles of this size. Bruce and Freddy supervise the loading of the tank and follow its journey to their own warehouse. It's a slow and bumpy ride, but the pair are thrilled to have acquired such a rare and important piece of military history.
Once the tank has arrived at their warehouse, Bruce and Freddy inspect it further. They discover that it still contains a few original parts and accessories, which are extremely difficult to find. With this in mind, they decide to restore the tank to its former glory using as many original parts as possible.
This decision leads to some fascinating discoveries about the tank's history. Bruce and Freddy uncover that it was used by the US Army during the D-Day invasion of Normandy and was also part of the British Army's post-war occupation force in Germany. They even track down its former crew, who share their own stories of the tank's exploits.
Finally, the episode ends with Bruce and Freddy showcasing the fully-restored M4 Sherman at a military vehicle rally in the UK. The tank attracts a lot of attention from history enthusiasts and potential buyers. It's a proud moment for the pair, who have managed to save this historic piece from obscurity and give it a new lease of life.
Overall, The Sherman is a fascinating episode of Combat Dealers that shows just how passionate Bruce and Freddy are about military history. Their excitement and dedication to finding and restoring rare items is truly infectious and makes for engaging viewing. If you're a fan of military history or just enjoy watching two experts at work, then this episode is one you won't want to miss.