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Canadian Military Collectors Forum

Comprehensive Forum of Canadian Armed Forces History & Militaria


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mk1rceme
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    Calgary Air Museum Ransacked

    qsamike
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    Post by qsamike Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:29 am

    Gentlemen......

    Just thought you might like to see this.....

    [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

    TV news reports state many artifacts and medals taken.....

    Mike

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    Post by GCR817 Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:02 pm

    Hi Mike,

    I saw that in the paper today. I wonder what exactly was stolen as the musuem doesn't seem to have a grip on what was in the inventory (from the news report anyhow). Whatever the case, it is a pretty damned sad event. I wonder if those of us in the hobby will see any of it surface? From the article, it said that the thieves robbed the donation boxes, so I wonder if cash was the main reason for the theft? If so, we should all be on the look out for airforce material showing up in the shops or online.

    I guess the problem is, who knows if it is stolen or legit?

    Geoff
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    Post by qsamike Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:15 pm

    Hi Geoff.....

    I have asked them for a list of what was stolen and when available I will post.....

    Mike
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    Post by GCR817 Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:32 pm

    Great to hear. Thanks Mike!

    mk1rceme
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    Post by mk1rceme Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:39 pm

    Probably young kids...they'll get caught, do some community service, and walk away scot free.


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    Darrell
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    Post by Darrell Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:39 pm

    Hi

    Could be young kids but with log books and medals missing, it could have been a "targeted" theft and the donation boxes were just the hired thugs gravy. :idea:

    I'm suprised the place doesn't seem to have been alarmed. hmmm

    Keep us posted on the lost items list, Mike.

    regards
    Darrell
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    Post by qsamike Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:56 pm

    Hi Darrell.....

    There was an alarm system and they were able to disable it so I don't think it was kids......

    Maybe stolen to order????? as it seems some items were taken and others left behind.....

    Mike
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    Post by Darrell Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:06 am

    Hi Mike

    Thanks for clearing that up about the alarm.

    Stolen to Order is exactly what I meant about a "Targeted theft" and that seems more likely to me than "kids", considering the alarm and some of the missing items.

    regards
    Darrell
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    Post by qsamike Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:52 pm

    ITEMS STOLEN FROM AEROSPACE MUSEUM – CALGARY


    1) Swagger Stick (Royal Canadian Air Force), wooden; black enamel paint, metal hand knob and tip end probe silver in colour; crown and albatross imprinted in metal knob, World War Two.

    2) Memorial Cross G.R.V. (Military Medal), cross patonce in silver suspended by a purple ribbon; at the end of the upright crown at the foot and at the centre, within a wreath of laurel, the royal cipher "G. R. I."; it will be engraved with the rank and the name of the soldier commemorated; mounted to a silver chain; with leather bound box embossed with the King's crown on the front. (HAVE ASKED FOR NAME)

    3) Royal Naval Air Service Pilot's Log Book, flight log of T. W. G. Thomson spanning from 19 December 1916 to 16 January 1919; front cover has fabric overlay (oilskin like); printed on the front is "Royal Naval Air Service: Pilot's Flying Log Book"; written by hand in the lower third of the front cover is "T. W. G. Thomson"; inside are lined pages on which was kept a hand written record of flights; FRAGILE (poor) condition.

    4) Distinguished flying Cross (Military Valour Medal), with associated box; Box – exterior black, made of hard textured material, on the top, printed in embossed capitals are the letters "D.F.C.", cream coloured fabric liner; Medal – a cross flory terminating with a rose, surmounted by another cross made of propeller blades charged in the centre with a roundel within a laurel wreath, the horizontal arms bear wings and the crowned RAF monogram at the centre, ribbon and mounting, white stripes at 45 degree angle. (STANDARD D.F.C.)

    5) Hat band with cap badge; black band knit material, slightly scratchy; the badge has the Kings crown on top, with a golden eagle below the crown; the badge is stitched onto the band by brown thread (RAF/RCAF CAP BADGE ON HAT BAND).

    6) Officer's cap badge; the badge has the Kings crown on top, with a golden eagle below the crown; (RAF/RCAF CAP BADGE)

    7) Officer's cap badge; the badge has the Kings crown on top, with a golden eagle below the crown; ((RAF/RCAF CAP BADGE)

    8) Small medals pin (Military Valour Medals); smaller versions of the D.F.C., British War Medal and Victory Medal, medals slightly tarnished (SET OF MINIATURES).

    9) British War Medal (Military Valour Medal), ribbon band blue, black, white, orange, white, black, blue; silver medal with side facing portrait of King George V; on reverse St. George on horseback. (STANDARD WAR MEDAL MOST LIKELY ALSO TO THOMSON)

    10) Commemorative ribbon from Victory Medal, associated with the medal itself, violet to red then back to violet.

    11) Victory Medal (Military Valour Medal), engraved on the bottom edge of the medal "Lieut. T.W.G. Thomson, RAF" (VICTORY MEDAL).

    12) Flare gun with holster, metallic gun in working order, name of maker on one side, one piece, brown leather holster has strap to hold gun in; both items are in good condition.


    Mike
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    Post by GCR817 Wed Jun 23, 2010 6:25 pm

    Hi Mike,

    It doesn't sound like they made off with all that much stuff after all which is good to hear. The Log book and DFC strike me as being the two most important items.
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    Post by Darrell Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:57 am

    GCR817 wrote:Hi Mike,

    It doesn't sound like they made off with all that much stuff after all which is good to hear. The Log book and DFC strike me as being the two most important items.

    As well as Thomson's British War medal and Victory Medal.

    Significant, to be sure. That represents a complete group to a WW1 Canadian Aviator!!!

    "Disabled" alarm and particularly complete group of items. Theft to Order by some scumbag is my guess.
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    Post by Haplo Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:36 pm

    I hope that they get those bastards and that the items will get back to where they belong.
    But i am afraid that that will never happen..
    Theft by Order is most likely the case here.
    To bad that this still happens.
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    Post by jholl72 Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:36 pm

    I put my collection up for display in a museum a few years back. As I was leaving after setup, a guy was coming in to work the night shift. He says to the manager, "I guess we have to set the alarm tonight!" WTF, I couldn't believe my ears, they don't normally set the alarm.
    I was on pins and needles until the exhibit came down and the stuff was safely back at my place.

    Shame that these dirt bags had to do this, stealing militaria doesn't sound like a random crime. Hopefully somone local will come across the stuff for sale and the guys will spend some time in jail.


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    Post by qsamike Sat Jun 26, 2010 6:54 pm

    NEWS FLASH........

    All the items have been returned with the exception of the Cash from the donation box and a TV but he did send back the remote.......

    So much heat that he phoned museum and told them where to find items on the museums grounds where he had dumped them overnight......

    Mike
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    Post by Darrell Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:33 pm

    Hi Mike

    Good news indeed. Thanks for letting us know. Very Happy

    Nice of "him" to send the remote back too!! Did he keep the batteries for it? duh

    regards
    Darrell
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    Post by qsamike Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:43 pm

    Kept the TV just sent back the remote.......
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    Post by mk1rceme Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:15 pm

    That is great news! Glad this guy had a bit of a guilty conscience.


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    Post by Ypres Creepers Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:14 pm

    I also am wondering as to if he kept the remotes batteries or not.

    But all jokes aside, Very glad to hear this event had a happy ending

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