Worldwide mounts massive militaria auction June 12-13

militaria auction

The 1944 Dodge WC-57 command car will come up for bid Saturday, June 13. Worldwide Auctioneers image

AUBURN, Ind. – Worldwide Auctioneers, responsible for the sale of some of the world’s finest collector vehicles, is gearing up for a historic auction of one the most extensive curated offerings of authentic World War II artifacts, warbirds, vehicles and militaria ever tendered in one place. Offered completely without reserve from the collections of the former National Military History Center and Hoosier Air Museum, it will sell alongside a selection of over 50 classic cars and an extensive assortment of fresh-to-market memorabilia at the Americana Festival Auction in Auburn, Indiana, on June 12-13. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

More than 1,500 lots are set to go under the hammer during the two-day sale, with both live and online bidding available. Proceeds will benefit the J. Kruse Education Center, a dedicated 501(c)(3) organization providing career pathway development to veterans and students.

Among the many significant military offerings slated to sell at the Americana Festival Auction is a 1944 Dodge WC-57 command car (above), assigned to the 3rd Army motor pool during World War II and purpose-built for Gen. George S. Patton and his command.

Also selling are three outstanding vintage airplanes from the Hoosier Air Museum, including a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub used during World War II as the L-4 Grasshopper for reconnaissance, a 1944 Cessna UC-78 (below) and a 1935 Speedbird, a one-off experimental aircraft with a two-seat, side-by-side arrangement.

militaria auction

While American bomber pilots trained on the 1944 Cessna UC-78, it was also used for military light transport, liaison and communications. Worldwide Auctioneers image

They will be offered along with an extraordinary selection of authentic, museum-quality militaria from across the world, including uniforms, helmets, communication devices, flight suits and field kits, as well a range of rare personal mementos, each its own unique record of the time.

militaria auction

A large collection of vintage U.S. military uniforms will be sold including this World War II U.S. Army Air Force service uniform, pilot flight wings and cap. Worldwide Auctioneers image

“This entire offering presents both collectors and reenactors of global military history with a very significant and special opportunity,” said John Kruse, principal and auctioneer. “Taking inventory of such a distinctive selection of militaria during our current crisis has also served as a fitting reminder to me that we have triumphed over enormous adversity before, and we will again.”

militaria auction

The 37½ -foot-long scale model of the Navy battleship USS Tennessee was a prop in Paramount Pictures’ TV Miniseries ‘The Winds of War.’ It will sell to the highest bidder Friday, June 12. Worldwide Auctioneers image

Collectors and enthusiasts will also get the chance to bid over the weekend on a hand-picked selection of memorabilia, automobilia, petroliana, signs, advertising, toys, models as well as an offering of over 50 great collector cars.

The Americana Festival Auction is scheduled to run as both a live and simultaneous online event at Worldwide’s Auburn headquarters. The auction is open to the public with in-person bidding as well as online.

The Dodge WC-57 command car and vintage planes will sell during the militaria segment from 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, with collector cars going under the hammer at 3 p.m. that day.

militaria auction

Offered without reserve is this 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS two-door sport coupe equipped with a 327-cid V-8 engine and backed by factory four-speed gearbox. Worldwide Auctioneers image

“As the first major auction company to open its doors to the public again, the safety and well-being of our clients, team and the wider community is paramount,” said John Kruse. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone who joins us in person has an absolutely enjoyable, but ultimately safe experience.” The sale will be conducted at Kruse Plaza, Worldwide’s Auburn headquarters, with a dedicated implementation specialist directing all event and campus COVID-19 safety protocols, from on-site temperature checking and screening, to the provision of face coverings and promotion of social distancing through physical barriers and restrictions, with capacity limits strictly enforced. Those planning to attend in person can review Worldwide’s detailed COVID-19 policies online at worldwideauctioneers.com.

Interested parties should call 260-925-6789 for further details or email sales@worldwideauctioneers.com.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/