Leopard AS 1 Medium Battle Tank. This tank was introduced into service in the early 1970's to replace the Centurion Tank. The Leopard was replaced in 2007 by the Abrams Tank.

Leopard Recovery Vehicle (ARV)

Turkish 75mm Krupp Field Gun

This Turkish 75mm Krupp Field Gun was captured by the 11th Australian Light Horse Regiment and the 4th Machine Gun Squadron during fighting at Semakh on 25 September 1918.

M113 Medium Reconnaisance Vehicle

M113 Medium Reconnaisance Vehicle (MRV). This is an Australian variant similar to the M113 Fire Support Vehicle, but using the turret from the Scorpion Light Tank. The MRV replaced the FSV in Australian Service.

WW1 Stretcher Bearer carrying a wounded digger to a medical facility.

The La Motte Gallery is specific to displaying rifles, pistols, machine guns, mortars and shoulder fired weapons.

M113A1 (FS) - Fire Support Vehicle" (Saladin Turret)

This is the M113A1, Fire Support Vehicle. The history of the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) is well documented. In particular, during the Vietnam War, where it was employed with great success. Fitted with Saladin Turrets in 1970 at the then 4th Base W'shops in Bandiana.

These two utes were used for personnel and light stores transportation. A Ford Falcon XP ute 1966, and a 1948 Holden ute.

"Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC)"

DUKW's and LARCs were the only way that supplies could be landed on Macquarie Island and other Australian Bases during the summer months in the Antarctic. The LARC came into service in 1970 and supported Antarctic Supply Ships.
Working in huge seas and sub-zero temperatures, soldiers from the Army's Maritime School manned the LARCs and in conjunction with helicopters toiled for up to 18 hours a day delivering food and scientific equipment.
Generally, soldiers were trained for up to 18 months in preparation for their assignment of three months to the Antarctic Region.

"Recovery Vehicle M 543 Wrecker"

These vehicles entered service in the mid 1960's and were used to recover heavy and medium vehicles and equipment. This vehicle was built by International Harvester in the US and weighs 15 tonne.

The history of this vehicle and the name given 'Tunza-Gutz' emanated from a Diamond T Wrecker in 1943, of 1 Medium Workshops Broadmeadows. This 1943 vehicle lasted some 30 years before it was de-commissioned. The name Tunza-Gutz was apparently painted on by its operator, Corporal Reg Wildemuth. This current model wrecker, now in the Bandiana museum, arrived in the Republic of South Vietnam, in 1968. The new operators decided to once again call their wrecker 'Tunza-gutz'.

During the TET Offensive of 1968, Tunza was located at Fire Support Base Coral in support of Australian Units. During the offensive, a mortar barrage by the NVA, 15 rounds of 82mm mortars exploded some 50 yards from the wrecker. As a consequence considerable damage was sustained by the vehicle rendering it inoperable. Through the efforts of its crew Tunza was patched up and recovered to Vung Tau for extensive repair.

Most RAEME personnel that served on this vehicle say that "Tunza served with distinction and honour". The vehicle itself is familiar with past members that have served in SVN.

Fordson Truck 1938

Carrier Anti-Tank 2 pounder (Aust) 1942

The 2-pounder Anti-Tank Carrier was conceived out of a perceived necessity to give greater mobility to Ani-Tank guns. While previously, the 2 pounder had been mounted on a truck with a special "portee body" it was limited in its cross-country ability. A decision was made by the directorate of Armoured Fighting Vehicles to mount the 2 pounder on a Tracked Vehicle. As the Machine Gun Carrier was already in production in Australia, it was the obvious choice.

Prisoners of War Display

The situation for Australian Prisoners of War was a dramatic contrast to that of the Australian prisoners in Europe. More than 22,000 Australians were captured. This figure represented the largest number of Australians taken prisoner in any campaign. Over 21,000 of the prisoners were from the AIF with the 8th Division being particularly hardest hit. RAAF & RAN prisoners were also taken. 71 nurses from the Australian Army Nursing Service were captured during WW11.

Army Apprentice Display

After WW2 there was an acute shortage of tradesmen throughout the Country and the Army could not recruit sufficient tradesmen to maintain their operational capabilities nor technical inventory. The Army Apprentices School was raised in 1948 at the Balcombe camp on the Mornington Peninsular. When the first intakes arrived there were no purpose built training facilities available and tools and equipment were in short supply. To overcome these shortfalls much of the initial trade training was based on the development and construction of training facilities both technical and Military.

Ex Apprentices served in every conflict from the Malaysian Confrontation to more recent operations such as in Timor, Bougainville, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps display

The Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps display includes information on the current trades within the corps as well as a historical background on the supply of stores and equipment in the past.

Motor Cycles

The Museum has a Harley Davidson 1942 with side car, Parachute motor cycle 1940's Exelsior, BSA 1965 350cc, Suzuki 1985 DR250cc, Honda 1997 TRX400cc (EX-SASR) plus many more.