Retired engineer’s remote control tank sold at Cambridge auction for …
An eight foot long remote-control transporter lorry and tank built by a retired engineer who was ‘bored to tears’ has been sold at a Cambridge[1] auction. The vehicle went on sale at Cheffins earlier this month and sold for around £20,000.
Roland Hopper, 79, who lives in Saffron Walden[2], worked on the 1:6 scale model Scammell Pioneer Tank Transporter and Armortek Sherman Firefly Tank on and off for ten years. Auctioneers say the model is made of about 40,000 pieces.
The tank is complete with a power pack, remote control unit, sound system and smoke generator. Mr Hopper described the full sized transporter, that he previously restored and sold, as the “only complete World War Two English tank transporter in existence”.
The tank and transporter (Image: PA)
He originally bought a model tank from Armortrek but then used his engineering background to manufacture a tank transporter for it. Asked why he decided to sell, Mr Hopper said: “It’s probably my age.”
In a listing, Cheffins said it was “absolutely of exhibition quality and deserving of museum space”. They added: “Some recommissioning will be required due to it remaining static for the last 18 months or so.
“Having spent nearly a decade on the build, the practicalities of moving a model of this size and massive weight have proved too much at the age of eighty. This is an unusual find and I am sure it will capture the imaginations of many of our buyers.”
References
- ^ Cambridge (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
- ^ Saffron Walden (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
- ^ Bored engineer living near Saffron Walden builds remote-controlled tank and transporter (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)