History on Wheels Museum, Eton, England

The History On Wheels Museum, near to Eton and Windsor, England is generally only open on the last Sunday of each month, so you need to plan a visit carefully, but it is certainly worthwhile if you are within striking distance. Run by Tony and Vera Oliver, the museum is a family owned, non-profit making operation.

Many of the vehicles have been used in film and television productions, and for this reason many of them are maintained in working order. This is also the reason for its location in this part of the country, being near to the film studios at Iver (Pinewood) and Bray.

Fortunately the museum is all undercover, as on the day of our visit it was pouring with rain, but as can be seen from the photos, the light quality is very good. The photos do also illustrate how there is quite a large number of vehicles stored in a relatively limited space.

Some may recognise certain vehicles from appearances at the War and Peace show in Beltring, particularly the prize-winning Krupp Protze. Other items in the collection that may be considered highlights:

• GAZ-67B, with a fascinating provenance
• GAZ-69
• Horch Kfz 15
• 1925 Crossley Kegresse half track
• Phanomen Granit Ambulance
• Renault UE Tankette
• Tatra 57K
• Stoewer Type 40
• Mercedes Type 230
• M5 Stuart (not too sure about that turret though)
• What I think is an SdKfz 221 (is it genuine...?)
• The famous Captain Gerard folding bicycle
• Welbike with original CLE container dropped at Arnhem
• Finally, I have to mention the "Pigeon Bra".

As well as the large motor vehicle gallery, there are further displays of militaria, a reconstructed Anderson air-raid shelter, a collection of bicycles as well as a number of toys and models.

I hope some will forgive the inclusion of a few not strictly military hardware related items, particularly the "What do I do..." posters. I hadn't seen these before, and not only are they fascinating and wonderful examples of 1940's British Ministry of Information material ("I say to myself: Our chaps will deal with them") but are quite emotionally powerful as you think about the response of civilians being caught up in conflict.

The museum website: History on Wheels Museum