Yes, the Wachbatailion still use K98k's for the ceremonial drill's, as they still perform old Prussian rifle drill routines.
Sadly, under pressure from German politicians back in the 90's, all their K98k's were all refinished to remove all traces of original Waffenampt markings and stampings from them.
I just saw the Wachbatailion and one of their marching bands perform and they were excellent. The German government banned all forms of the swastika from Germany. Our local Military Aviation Museum had a BF-109 G-4 fighter restored (parts from two aircraft that fell in Germany) by Meyer Motors in Germany. It arrived, perfectly decorated with the livery of a German ace, as requested by the museum, save the swastika on the tail. They had to apply that locally.
Bob
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
Where is that 109 located? There's a collector named Timmerman restoring one in Chatham, Ontario at the airport. He has a number of warbirds in his collection. I went flying with a retired dentist and friend in his Champion Decathalon many years ago before he moved his aircraft into the hangers there. I'll surely visit the place again if I ever go back up there. I haven't been since 2017.
Yep, He has a Harvard, Spitfire, P51, ME109, and Hawker Sea Fury that I know of. He's getting a Zero too from what I've heard. He's new to the area in the past few years as those warbirds weren't there the last time I visited. Quite a draw for the old hometown. If/when I visit again, I'll be out at the airport to snoop. My cousin who's also an aviation buff just retired from Chatham-Kent government last year, and I told him if he was smart, he'd be out there volunteering. He did get a ride in the Harvard last year after a small airshow they put on. My Uncle who's 88 now, built unbelievably detailed RC Harvards and is well known in the Province for them so my cousin was bound to get asked if he wanted to go on a flight. Lucky bugger!
I won't second guess the Germans for regulating Swastika use. That symbol brought their country to ruin. I don't collect Nazi memorabilia but I have some German bringbacks--trophies of victory as I see it.
I also have a few notes of Lagergeld--paper script issued for POW use. Brought back by my mom's stepdad from his 15 month stay with the Luftwaffe. Her own dad was KIA in a Marauder and is buried at Epinal.
I won't second guess the Germans for regulating Swastika use. That symbol brought their country to ruin. I don't collect Nazi memorabilia but I have some German bringbacks--trophies of victory as I see it.
I also have a few notes of Lagergeld--paper script issued for POW use. Brought back by my mom's stepdad from his 15 month stay with the Luftwaffe. Her own dad was KIA in a Marauder and is buried at Epinal.
One of my great uncles, my mom's side, is buried at Epinal. 314th, 79th ID.
One of my great uncles, my mom's side, is buried at Epinal. 314th, 79th ID.
To visit my grandfather's grave site would for me be a worthwhile reason to visit France, and risk whatever strike is paralyzing the country at the moment. I'll say this however for the French--the quality of their poultry is excellent.
That aircraft is in the collection of the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, VA. They' got forty WWII aircraft, both museum restored and flying. They also have two original WWI aircraft and many replicas. The BF-109G-4 is in the barn right now having its Daimler engine rebuilt but there's an FW-190 (and a couple of flying replicas), a JU-52, an ME-108, an ME-208, P-51, FM-2 Wildcat, FG-1D Corsair, P-40E, Spitfire MkIX, Hurricane Mk XII, DH.98 Mosquito, P-39 Aerocobra, a PBY Catalina, PBM Avenger, B-25 Mitchel, C-46 Commando, Yak 3-M, Fiesler Storch, ME-262 replica, Boeing P-26 Peashooter replica, Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless (in restoration), an A6M Zero about to be delivered from restoration, and bunch more. They stuff them chock-a-block in their four hangars and to visit, you have to walk through the overlapping wings, tails, etc. You get THAT close. No barriers.
They've got a little running start in that the owner of the museum runs a chain of airframe and powerplant mechanic schools around the world. He also partners with restoration shops around the globe and exchanges work with them. His local operation has a repair and maintenance organization, the Fighter Factory, on-site and a school in the area. The museum is right down the road from me.
Bob.
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
Originally Posted by GeeRam
Yes, the Wachbatailion still use K98k's for the ceremonial drill's, as they still perform old Prussian rifle drill routines.
PM
