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Cobbaton - A Hobby Which Grew into Something Else

Accessibility

Too often, when one goes to a museum, the exhibits are fenced off and, with few exceptions photograpghy is difficult or impossible - either due to the positioning of the exhibits or the limitations placed by the museum itself. Cobbaton puts no limitations on photography - on the contrary, they positively encourage it. The only limitations are created due to the sheer volume of the exhibits. In the first shed, the vehicles are in three rough lines. In the centre of one, is a good example of a Sexton, which is, unfortunately, impossible to get close to (particularly, the all-important fighting compartment). Naturally enough, due to their size, it's a lot easier with the Carriers and the Dingos.

Light can also be a problem. This year, when I visited, there was a type of monsoon falling outside, which limited the light inside. Therefore, if you visit, make sure you have a decent fash and/or tripod - it makes photography inside much easier.

Outside

Out of the exhibit halls and beyond the car park are a number of very interesting bits and pieces. Some of the vehicles are clearly beyond recovery, the remains of 3 Daimler A/Cs and a Challenger (the WWII one) are at the far end. Beside them is a kind of spares dump with some interesting parts. Not least of these is the set of M4 supension components (painted a fetching shade of yellow) - these were shipped in from the States for the rebuild of the M4. The vehicle they originated from was used for drilling, the probable reason for the Hi-Vis scheme... Outside the workshop, there's a battered Scorpion. Now although they're quite common, this one is pretty unusual as it's thought to be the second production vehicle.

Since I visited last year, the yard has been cleaned up considerably. It wasn't dirty, just that they were (many) odd pieces of hardware propped against every available vertical space - lots of strange items such as the front plate from a Cromwell turret, various road wheels from a variety of different vehicles or the cast-iron turret from 1940s beach defences . Think of the average modeler's workspace and multiply the scale by 35 and you'll get the idea...

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, and it's a reflection of the world we live in, too many museuns have become little more than sanitized, glossy, interactive 'experiences' where the original function of a museum has become lost. Cobbaton presents a private collection of Military vehicles and related artefacts - the visitor makes up their OWN mind. In Cobbaton you don't see corporate-produced mission statements. Go to a major (public) museum and you'll see too much of the glitz and the glossiness. The vehicles at Cobbaton, are presented in as realistic manner as possible. Stowage, personal gear and weapns are to be found on all the vehicles - giving them a sense of authenticity which you won't find in many other places. You can actually smell the Diesel and the Oil - unlike some museums I could name which smell like the inside of a factory-fresh Lexus..

The Nuts and bolts of Visiting

I've included a scan of a useful map which Cobbaton produced. Trust me, you need it. The Collection is reasonably near Barnstaple if you're coming from that direction. Coming from the other direction (Exeter, Plymouth etc,), the more adventurous, may want to take a train to Umberleigh and then a walk up hill and down dale to get to Cobbaton. It's a nice walk in sunshine, in the rain, it's a guaranteed adventure.

The Collection contains a shop. Some of the more attractive items on sale are a variety of de-activated weapons and ammunition. Also, for those whose interest is re-enactment there are also a good selection of surplus gear such as helmets and personal equipment. One of these days I WILL get myself a de-activated Bren and see if I can actually export it - on the other hand, perhaps not...

The Cobbaton Combat Collection is open 7 days a week from 10.00 to 17.00 in July & August. In April, May, June, September & October from Sunday to Friday. In winter, phone for opening times: 01769 540740 The Collection's website can be seen; HERE (LINK)

Acknowledgements

As always, my thanks to Preston & Tim Isaac who run (and own) the Collection. Both of them are a mine of information about the vehicles in the Collection and answered all my many questions to the best of their ability!

Addendum: Full Vehicle list

These are the vehicles which are currently in the collection:

• Morris C8 Quad, Mk3, No 5 Body. 7/44
• Ford F60S LAAT, Canada 8/44
• Morris C8 GS 1945
• Windsor Carrier, Ford Canada 4/45
• Loyd Carrier 1941
• Daimler Dingo Mk2 1942
• C15TA, APC 24/04/1944
• Standard Beaverette Mk3 1941
• Centaur Mk4 Cruiser Tank 7/44
• Churchill Mk7, Crocodile 1944
• Standard Light Utility 1944
• Morris C8 FAT Mk2, Quad 5/40
• Mercury W D cycle 1940s
• Trailer, 7 ton, 6 Wheel, Light Recovery 1942
• Leyland Hippo, Mk2 1945
• Ford F15A, No 12 cab.
• 1941 Austin K2 ATV + Dennis & Gwynne pumps 1941
• Farmall Model H tractor, USA 1944
• Cranemobile crane 20/07/1944
• Sexton Mk2 25Pdr SP 1943
• Scammell TRMU 30 1943
• Thorneycroft Tartar WOF/DC/4 22/04/1944
• Fordson 7V. Converted to NAAFI from HPU C1941
• BSA Folding Parabike 1940s
• 90cm Projector 1940
• 25Pdr Limber Mk2 1943
• Universal Carrier, No 3, MkII, Canada 1943
• BSA M20 1943
• FV 432 "Trojan" 1950's
• GMC 3 Ton, film conversion to LRDG Chev 1939
• 40mm Bofors, Sweden, Mod 36 1940
• 25Pdr Mk2 1943
• Sherman V M4A4, ex range target.
• 1942 T34/85 44/45
• Tatra OT810 3/4 track 1950
• 87mm Recoiless Gun, Czech 1950s
• 3.7" Medium AA Gun 1943
• 20mm Flak 38 1944
• 122mm Mod 1938(M-30) Howitzer, Russian 1940s
• 15cm sFH 18 Howitzer, German 1939
• T54 MBT,Czech 1954 FV434 1966
• Morris C9B, SP Bofors 1943
• Centurion AVRE 1949 Ex First Gulf War
• 40mm Bofors Mk3C, Ottis Fensom Elevator Co. Ltd 1942
• Ford Y, 8HP Saloon 1936
• 5.5" Gun, ex range target. 1943
• Comet, Cruiser Tank. Unrestored 1945
• Phillips WD Cycle, Mk IV
• 25 Pdr Mk3 L, Airborne 1942
• 105mm, Recoiless Anti Tank Gun. ex Argentine C 1965
• Trailer 4 Wheeled, Light, Medical, 2 Stretcher No1 Mk1 194 ?
• David Brown VAK1 1947
• 75mm Gun and Mantlet, ex Grizzly
• 1944 Morris Eight 1936
• White Scout Car M3A1 1942
• Welbike Mk2
• Daimler Armoured Car Mk 1 1942
• Mercedes G Wagon ex Argentine Falklands War
• 17 Pdr. Anti Tank gun 1944
• Willys Jeep 1943
• Diamond T 981 1944
• BAT, British 120mm Recoiless Anti Tank Gun Fifties ?
• Land Rover 110
• Field Cooking Unit No4 Mk2 1986
• Horsa Glider Fuselage, Film prop “Bridge too far”