Melbourne Tank Museum 12th November, 2000
Ron Johnston (leader) CB 750 |
Jeff Hornby ZX6 |
Danny Kozinski VFR 750 |
Ian Payne CBR 900 (rear rider) |
Sunday morning wasn,t looking too bad. Some concern that the last couple of days it had been raining, but the weather was okay. Got myself organised and a quick check over the bike before I headed of to Hallam. Arrived in good time, fuelled up the bike and waited to see who turned up. First, Ian Payne arrived followed by Jeff Hornby and Danny Kosinski. We stood around and had gas bag as usual while waiting for others to turn up, but nobody else did, so I said we wont worry about the corner marking spiel as we all know what to do.
We turned left onto the Princes Fwy and headed through Officer and Pakenham and turned left into Toomuc Valley Rd and followed thru to Beaconsfield Upper, then right turn onto Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd to Emerald. This is a good road for a bit of low flying with good corners. Paternoster and Bailey Rd to Cockatoo, left again to the Belgrave Gembrook Rd, Emerald. Then right into Macclesfield Rd. This road is tight and twisty with not much room to move as it is, worse when cars are on the road. Left into Swales-Macclesfield-Old Emerald Rd to Monbulk. We stopped there for lunch.
We stayed there for an hour and a half and decided we would break up there and go our own way. I spoke to Jeff about the Tank Museum and he said he hadnt been before so I said follow me .When we arrived there were already a few people there. Once inside we had to pay $8.00 . For those who havent been its worth going and having a look. For example a white half-track personnel carrier, a Bren Gun carrier, amphibious vehicles: Ford 4x4 and a GMC 6x6 Duck, landing craft, a large selection of tanks, wreckers (tow trucks) there were a few. The biggest one there is a Mack 6x6. There is a huge tank without a turret, but has got a boom and winch to recover other tanks. Also a German semi-track amoured personal carrier. There is a lot to see and is well worth visiting. Take the kids. The best thing of all is that you can get in and have a look and see and feel what it must have been like.
Ron Johnston Honda CB 750.