Combat Dealers Season 4 Episode 8 Cold War
- January 1, 1970
- 44 min
In Combat Dealers season 4 episode 8, titled "Cold War," war memorabilia collectors Bruce and Nick team up to scour Europe for Cold War relics. The pair are on a mission to locate and purchase some of the most interesting and sought-after items, collecting a variety of military artifacts from the era, including Soviet-made weapons, vehicles, and uniforms.
The episode begins with Bruce and Nick driving to Germany, where they hope to find some rare and valuable items. They visit a former Soviet base, where they comb through a warehouse filled with Soviet-era tanks, trucks, and artillery pieces. Bruce notes that the items that he is interested in were manufactured by the Soviet Union, and may be difficult to source. He is particularly interested in finding a ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, which he has been searching for for years.
During their journey, Bruce and Nick take a detour through East Berlin to visit a ghost town that has been abandoned since the end of the Cold War. The town is empty and decrepit, filled with remnants of its past, including a Fascist memorial, a Soviet-era Red Army monument, and an abandoned airport. Bruce and Nick are fascinated by the town's history, and take the opportunity to explore the area and take some photos.
The duo then continue on to Poland, where they visit a military museum. Here they get an up-close look at some interesting weapons and equipment, including a massive artillery gun used by Polish troops during the Cold War.
Their next stop is a Polish military scrap yard, where the pair search for parts and pieces that they can use to restore Cold War-era vehicles. Bruce and Nick are able to source some rare items, including an air intake grill for a Soviet-era 4x4 vehicle, and a fuel pump for a military truck.
As they get deeper into the search for Cold War relics, Bruce and Nick find themselves in Hungary, where they discover a military surplus store. Here they have a chance to purchase various equipment, including backpacks, bags, and uniforms. They also find some interesting pieces of Soviet propaganda art, which they are interested in adding to their collections.
The trip to Hungary concludes with the pair visiting a company that specializes in military vehicle restoration. Here they are given a tour of the facility and shown some of the projects that the company is working on, including the restoration of a Soviet-era truck. Bruce and Nick are impressed by the quality of the work, and hope to collaborate with the company on future projects.
The final leg of the journey takes Bruce and Nick to the Czech Republic, where they hope to find a ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun. After scouring various military bases and scrapyards, they finally locate the gun they have been searching for. They negotiate a price with the seller, and are thrilled to finally add the ZU-23 to their collection.
The episode ends with Bruce and Nick returning to the UK, satisfied with their haul of Cold War relics. They reflect on the journey and the items they were able to find and add to their collections, and express excitement about future trips to Europe to continue the search for interesting and rare war memorabilia.