The Merrimack Valley Military Vehicle Collectors
MVMVC.ORG

 Mvmvccolor-small.gif (3098 bytes)

Hank Fackovec

I began collecting Military vehicles around 1976 while I was still in High School in NYC. The late Charles Petro and I restored a M3A1 Halftrack that came into our possession as an engine sitting on chassis rails and when we finished, it was a complete operational half track with pulpit mount 50 cal, and winch. (We had some real adventures with the Halftrack in NYC, including the lesson NOT to drive on putting greens, no matter how frozen they look)

I have been involved  with the hobby ever since, first thru the North Jersey chapter, then as a founding member of the Greater NY Chapter of the MVCC/MVPA. My business caused me to relocate to New England about 12 years ago. After a long stretch of going it solo,  I came to be actively involved with the MVMVC about 4 years ago, and have served on the board of directors for 2 years. In November 1999 took over as the editor of the "Motorpool Mascot", the clubs monthly newsletter.  In January of 2001 I was elected to serve as President

I have worked on numerous vehicles over the years including the halftrack, a White Scout car, Dodge WC 53, and 62, MB/GPWs, and several different M series families. My current love is of M series vehicles; (I will be stoned by many collectors for saying this , but) I think they are just more elegantly designed and have aggregated more history than the WWII vehicles (Sorry Steve). Besides at 6'4", I can't even sit in a MB.

Some of my present projects include: (The list is always growing, I can't stand to see a HMV heading for the junk yard)

2 early M151     1/4 tons,  (One a factory restoration)

1  M151A1         1/4 ton,

1 M718               Field Ambulance

1  M37               3/4 ton  Weapons Carrier

1 M35A2             2 1/2 ton Cargo Truck

1 M109A3         2 1/2 Shop Van Deuce ( set up as a ASA radio intercept truck)

1 M105A2        1 1/2 Ton Cargo trailer

I also collect Military como gear, I presently have several RT 524s, R442s, PRC 25/77 and the newest addition a GRC106-A HF transceiver. My M37 is equipped with a functional RT 68 transceiver and appropriate antenna and control apparatus.

Starting in the hobby I was lucky to be taken under the wing of several knowledgeable people and have had large amounts of knowledge passed on to me, In keeping with the karmic order of things, I enjoy trying to help newcomers to the hobby get started, so we have a legacy to pass on.   I can be reached at newsletter@mvmvc.org and always like to meet new people in the hobby.