Tanks sold off at Normandy Museum

7496130619222104RFI is reporting that the planned auction of military vehicles and artifacts at the Normandy Tank Museum took place this weekend. A M4 Sherman tank was sold for 280,000 euros and an M5 Stuart was sold for 230,000 euros.  A German WW2 era side car equipped motorcycle fetched a price of 130,000 euros, significantly higher than the 45,000 maximum price established prior to the auction.  The Normandy Tank Museum had been open for three years and was owned by a 67 year old former Air France pilot and collector of militaria named Patrick Nerrant.  Reasons for the closing of the museum included a decline in tourism and problems with the economy.

Read the RFI article here.

Correction: We found a full list of items and prices and it appears the numbers reported in the RFI article are not correct.  Here is the full list:

1 défense anti-aérienne 1500
2 Pilote de Chasse 2500
3 Pilote de P47 3500
4 ensemble pilote Briefings 3400
5 officier pilote 1500 [Read more…]

Normandy Tank Museum collection headed to auction


1-2014-10-04-206aa-normandy-tank-museumClassic Cars.com is reporting
that the Normandy Tank Museum collection is headed to auction.  The Museum, located at the A10 airfield in Catz, France, was created by Patrick Nerrant in 2013.  The contents of the museum are the result of 35 years of collecting on the part of Mr. Nerrant.  Mr. Nerrant is retiring and has decided, along with his sons, that the collection will be sold through an auction by Artcurial Motorcars.  Dubbed the D-Day Sale, the auction will take place on September 18, 2016.

7628130619222116The sale will be presented in 120 lots, including tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, autos, bikes and airplanes from the various belligerents of WW2.  The highlights of the auction include a M4 Sherman tank (105mm gun), M24 Chaffee light tank, Willys Jeep, Flak 36 88mm gun, M8 Greyhound, M5 Stuart light tank, M3A1 Stuart, LVT-4, M7 Priest, M3A1 Scout car, GMC DUKW, and others.  For a full list of the items for sale, check out the Artcurial Motorcars press release on the D-Day Sale.  For those interested in purchasing a vehicle, be prepared to open up the pocket book.  The M4 Sherman is valued at$220,000 – 4440,000 while the M24 Chaffee is valued at $156,000 to $275,000.

normandy-tank-museum-sherman-m4a1Interestingly, no mention is made in the auction press release of the Panzer IV tank that was part of this museum.  Based on the price that other German WW2 tanks have garnered at auction, it’s safe to say the Panzer IV is the most valuable vehicle at the Normandy Tank Museum.  A similar vehicle that was part of the Littlefield collection went to auction a few years ago and  1.5 million and 1.75 million bids were rejected for failing to meet the reserve price!  Granted, this vehicle might not be as valuable as the Littlefield Pz IV due to condition, but it’s safe to say it would command a very good price at auction.

Below is a youtube clip from The Normandy Tank Museum website showing the interior of the museum.