A Duck Tale: Spooner Amphibs Tread Water
“Amphibs to Swim” was the theme of the 2008 Military Vehicle Preservation Group’s Fall Party. Come on in…The water’s fine.
"Amphibs to Swim" was the theme of the 2008 Military Vehicle Preservation Group's Fall Party. The hosts used one of the many lakes surrounding the cranberry marshes near Spooner, Wisconsin, to test the seaworthiness of several WWII amphibian vehicles.
In all, five vehicles descended from the cranberry dikes across the road from Army Cars USA, into the water. Military Vehicles Magazine was privileged to document this historic swim-fest and is happy to share these photos.
First in the water was Kevin Kronlund's DUKW piloted by Dave Welch. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
The plans for the swim-fest was that the DUKW would respond to any emergencies. Dave piloted it with mother-hen attention as the other vehicles prepared to enter the water...some for the first time since 1945. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Kevin Kronlund was the next to enter the water driving his own Ford GPA. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Wally Piroyan of Excelsior, Minnesota, wanted to know if Bantam trailers really could float so he volunteered his own trailer as the test vehicle. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
So far, so good. But then, the wheels were still turning. Not floating yet, Wally! Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Son of a gun...it looks like it is buoyant. But then, so is brick--for just a moment or two! Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Kevin had to check to make sure the Bantam wasn't going to pull the back of the Seep into the deep! Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by David Doyle
"Mother Hen" swam into position--just in case. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
And finally, the Seep and trailer went sailing on their own and paddle back to shore. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Back on shore, all safe and dry. No leaks in Wally's Bantam or Kevin's GPA! Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Next to "test his fins" was Mike Howard of Liberty Auto Restoration in his M29C. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Mike's Weasel looks like it sits low in the water, but that is exactly how it should look. Photo by David Doyle
Photo by David Doyle
Photo by David Doyle
Photo by David Doyle
Mother Hen Welch floated around to be on hand for Mike's first swim.Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Anxious to get in too, Rick Wark--an old experienced Weasel pilot--plowed right into the lake at the helm of Dave Welch's M29C. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Rick piloted into position behind Mike's Weasel. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
"That's my Weasel!" had to be going through Dave's mind as he kept vigilance from the DUKW. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by David Doyle
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
The time had come for the "youngest" swimmer in the bunch to enter the water. Restoration of Chet's Krause GPA could not be declared "finished" before the shop's crew tested its seaworthiness. L'Cars restoration crew Matt Jasperson and Wayne Ayres (along with son Sam) cautiously crossed from land to water. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by David Doyle
Too much fun going on in the water! Kevin and Wally were not going to be the only land-lubbers! Back into the lake they went. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
The wake from Chet's GPA hadn't even cleared. Kevin and Wally were closing fast. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
With all the "ducklings" in the water, they instinctively searched out and achieved a circling "pre-assault assembly" formation. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by David Doyle
Photo by David Doyle
Photo by David Doyle
Photo by David Doyle
The four "ducklings" found their place as Dave Welch in the DUKW monitored their swimming. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Time to head to shore. First out of the water, Mike Howard's M29C. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Before the next "duckling" left the lake, Kevin wanted to see if he could get his "baby duck" next to the "momma duck." Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by David Doyle
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
With the Seep and the DUKW tied off, Rick Wark decided it was time to head to shore. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
With just three vehicles left in the water, Kevin and Wally in one of the GPA's turned for shore. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
With Kevin's GPA back on shore, it was time to steer Chet's towards land. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
The wheels have touched bottom! Photo by J. Adams-Graf
And out she comes. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
With everyone safely back on shore, "Mother Hen" Dave Welch pointed the DUKW towards land. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Photo by J. Adams-Graf
THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
"Mother Hen": David Welch with Kevin Kronlund's DUKW (he's got my vote for MVPA director!). Photo by J. Adams-Graf
"Duckling No. 1": Richard "Rick" Wark with David Welch's M29C
"Ducklings No. 2-4": Matt Jasperson, Wayne Ayers and Sam Ayers, L'Cars, with Chet Krause's GPA. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
"Duckling No. 5"": Mike Howard of Liberty Auto Restorations (wearing the helmet) and his M29C. That's John LeClerq in the back...he restored this particular M29. MVPG director Rick Colquitte is keeping watch. Photo by J. Adams-Graf
Ducklings No. 6-7": Kevin Kronlund with his GPA and Wally Piroyan with his Bantam trailer. Photo by J. Adams-Graf

John Adams-Graf ("JAG" to most) is the editor of Military Trader and Military Vehicles Magazine. He has been a military collector for his entire life. The son of a WWII veteran, his writings carry many lessons from the Greatest Generation. JAG has authored several books, including multiple editions of Warman's WWII Collectibles, Civil War Collectibles, and the Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. He is a passionate shooter, wood-splitter, kayaker, and WWI AEF Tank Corps collector.