Cobbaton Combat Collection

The Cobbaton Combat Collection is the result of one man's obsession for collecting militaria from tin hats to tanks, in fact, anything pertaining to the armies of the World and to the civilians who were involved with them. Preston Isaac's love of collecting began over fifty years ago and his unique collection is still growing.

Many of the vehicles regularly attend military shows throughout the country, and are used for TV and film.

Housed in three large hangar type buildings, totalling more than 15,000 square feet, many of the exhibits are arranged into tableaux so that the displays of tanks, vehicles and equipment are viewed in settings in which they would have operated. The glider fuselage depicting a D-DAY landing was built for the film "A Bridge too Far", whilst the German equipment includes a 20mm Flak 38 displayed alongside an imposing 150mm Howitzer, captured by the Russians.

The Collection is completely under cover and houses, as well as items from the 1939-1945 war and Warsaw Pact countries, reference displays from the Great War, Falklands and Gulf Wars. Comparison can thus be made between the weapons and equipment of former foes and allies and that of our own Forces. The Cobbaton Combat Collection provides an authentic reference source for students whose syllabus includes the Second World War and other conflicts.

The seasonal NAAFI Wagon serves a selection of light refreshments. The Quartermaster's Stores offers a range of surplus uniforms, de-activated guns, militaria, books and souvenirs. Set in the heart of beautiful Devon countryside, Cobbaton Combat Collection provides an exciting and informative venue for the whole family.

THE HOME FRONT
Whilst some of the hardware of the Second World War remains today, there is very little evidence left of the part played by civilians, especially women, who formed the lifeline of this Country during the War. In their roles as ambulance drivers, rescue workers, wardens, munition workers or simply bringing up families enlarged by the addition of evacuees, women played a vital role whilst their men were fighting in other parts of the World.

2004 saw the opening of our new"Home Front" building, where seven "rooms" and other displays, portray different aspects of civilian life in wartime Britain. A Red Cross nurse is getting ready for casualties in her First Aid Post. Nearby the WVS have set up their Soya Boiler, ready to provide the great British answer to any calamity, plenty of hot tea! The ARP Post is staffed by two young women with a large air filtration unit which can be pedal powered in case of electricity failure.The home Guard have their HQ and a rustic farmyard scene is complete with two "Land Girls".

Also recreated is a typical West Country farm kitchen with "Mum" preparing a meal for the two evacuees who have just arrived, maybe from Bristol or Birmingham, cities which in those days were no place for children. How many remember sleeping under a Morrison table shelter which formed the centrepiece of many a living room - here we can see one once again in its correct setting.

It is not only large exhibits that are on display - sheet music, ration books, identity cards, gas masks, posters and a host of other long forgotten items are here to bring back memories - or to show how our families lived in those difficult days when the Home Front was the front line of this country.

This military museum covers mostly World War Two, but with exhibits from the Boer War up to the Gulf War. This collection ranges from military surplus tanks, guns, helmets, artillery, grenades, and bombs, to Home Front ration books, gas masks, ARP and Home Guard uniforms, and blackout lamps. In 1981 Preston Isaac's runaway hobby was opened to the public, and just keeps growing. The collection now has over 50 vehicles and literally thousands of other items.

Signposted from A361, A377 and B3227

Military Museum covering mostly World War Two - The Collection ranges from tin hats to tanks, song sheets to a Morrison Air Raid Shelter.

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.

Cobbaton Combat Collection

The new “Home Front” building has wartime British civilian life displays, from a Red Cross First Aid Post, to a farmyard scene complete with two “Land Girls”.

The Quartermaster\'s Stores stocks a range of militaria, collectables and souvenirs, with light refreshments from the NAAFI Wagon.

Over the years the Collection has been involved in a small way with film and TV work. In 1982 six vehicles were used in the WW2 sequence in Pink Floyd's "The Wall", filmed at Saunton Sands here in North Devon.

Telephone: +44 (0) 1769 540740

Chittlehampton
Umberleigh
N Devon
EX37 9RZ

See also:

• www.cobbatoncombat.co.uk

• Cobbaton

Contributed by: Kevin Beacon