The battle continues in San Mateo County court over who owns a World War II-era German Panzer IV tank that once belonged to the late Jacques Littlefield and was on display at his Los Trancos Woods estate.
The dispute centers on a July 2014 auction of Mr. Littlefield's collection of military vehicles and weapons.
The Collings Foundation, based in Massachusetts, acquired the collection and offered the Panzer at auction. The bids did not reach the minimum asking price, but Vulcan Warbirds, a Seattle company, contends that it entered into a contract after the auction to buy the tank from the auctioneer, then transferred $2.5 million to pay for it. But the foundation would not release the tank.
Warbirds sued the foundation in September 2014 and is asking the judge for a summary adjudication. A hearing is scheduled for May 18.
Warbirds leases military vehicles to the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington, which has a particular interest in World War II-era tanks. The Collings Foundation runs a military vehicle museum and is planning an outdoor amphitheater for battle re-enactments. The tank is considered extremely rare.
Comments
Woodside: Skywood/Skylonda
on Apr 22, 2015 at 9:32 am
on Apr 22, 2015 at 9:32 am
Of all the news the Almanac could, should be reporting locally, your editor chose this to run?
Registered user
another community
on Apr 22, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Registered user
on Apr 22, 2015 at 12:57 pm
@Susan Smith: There ARE people who have been to Jacques Littlefield's home and have seen his collection and are interested in reading this, as I am. It's the first article I turned to in today's Almanac! Just because you don't care doesn't mean no one else does!
another community
on Apr 22, 2015 at 1:34 pm
on Apr 22, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Lawsuits like this one are important because they involve large amounts of metal, as opposed to the frivolous lawsuits that only involve living things.
Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde
on Apr 22, 2015 at 4:31 pm
on Apr 22, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Say What ???
Atherton: West Atherton
on Apr 22, 2015 at 5:34 pm
on Apr 22, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Susan: I too had seen the Littlefield collection a few times and was very interested in reading about the Panzer...I am
1. German by heritage
2. A lifetime member of Estrella Warbirds Museum
3. Interested in "local" stories such as this one.
If you find the story not to your taste, you are not obliged to read it.