Cobbaton Combat Collection

Brief business description

The Collection ranges from tin hats to tanks, song sheets to a Morrison Air Raid Shelter.
Some 60 vehicles and artillery pieces, and thousands of smaller exhibits. Two hangars house the military displays, with tanks and vehicles arranged into as used tableaux. The glider fuselage now depicting a D-DAY landing was built for the film "A Bridge Too Far". A recent addition is an Argentinean Mercedes G Wagon, ex Falklands War.

In 2004 another building was erected to house the Wartime Home Front displays, remembering the parts played by civilians during 1939/45. Nurses, ARP Wardens, Bomb Disposal, National and Auxiliary Fire Service, Home Guard, Land Girls, and the WVS - also the women bringing up families enlarged by the addition of evacuees, with food rationing and coupons.

Several vehicles have been used for films and television, with the rural setting offering a perfect location for filming. The T34 tank In particular has been used in several documentaries.

In the shop, as well as badges, toys and souvenirs, you can find combat clothing, unusual collectors items, de-activated guns, inert ammunition, and sometimes perhaps a vehicle for sale. A NAAFI canteen truck provides hot and cold drinks and snacks during the main season. There is a large free car park and picnic area.

The arrival of the internet has allowed the collection to provide a fairly comprehensive mail order service.