National Military Vehicle Museum

National Military Vehicle Museum

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Posted 2014-05-23 by Dave Walshfollow


The is a volunteer run and non profit museum specialising in military vehicles of all types. It also maintains a large collection of militaria including uniforms, models, radio equipment and even artillery guns on display.



The museum is located north of Adelaide, rather appropriately in part of the former World War 2 Salisbury Explosives Factory at Edinburgh Park. It is operated by the Military Vehicle Preservation Society of South Australia with the aim of restoring and preserving modern military vehicles, with a special emphasis on Australian military vehicles.



The museum also plays a part in local events such as the Salisbury Christmas pageant, when some of the military vehicles collection take part in the procession, transporting members of the Salisbury RSL.



The collection of military vehicles on display is huge, ranging from tanks and half track vehicles, through armoured cars, trucks, scout cars, a hovercraft, a former US Army Willys Jeep, and many other unique special purpose items of military hardware. Most of the vehicles are privately owned, and have been lovingly and authentically restored to original specifications. Owners sometimes advertise military vehicles for sale on the society's website, so if you think your Hyundai gets dented too easily in the supermarket car park then perhaps trade up to a 1941 Bedford truck?



All of the military vehicles on display at the have interpretive signs to explain their origin and role, making your museum visit an educational experience. You can see the electronics inside a mobile radar unit which is on loan from DSTO, get up close to a massive floodlight used to illuminate an airfield, and even see a top secret chart from the Maralinga Village. There are several dioramas depicting full size wartime scenes, such as a field hospital with nurses and patient, and a camp kitchen with cook and associated militaria.



One area displays scale models of military vehicles, while other rooms showcase military electronics and wireless communications equipment from yesteryear. Some of the older equipment is enormous, and not easily portable enough for soldiers to use in the field.



The does not attempt to glorify war in any sense. It simply showcases how Australian military vehicles looked and were used through history. It aims to become one of the leading tourism and educational facilities in Adelaide for military vehicles and militaria, and they are keen to obtain accreditation from History SA in this role.



During the About Time history festival the museum offered a tour of the buildings constructed during World War 2 to house the Salisbury Explosives Factory. More than 6,000 men and women toiled there in an enormous complex spread over 4.5 square miles, starting a whole new era for Salisbury and ultimately the .

For more information about the museum, see their website . Their entry fees are very reasonable, and the museum is open every Sunday and most public holidays from 10am until 4pm.

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215626 - 2023-06-16 07:18:47

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