Nazi Tank Sale

Are you missing a part of that World War II German tank you've been reconstructing in your garage? Great news - if you fly to Bulgaria, you may be able to participate in an auction for slightly used, weathered tank parts. But you better act now - people are moving on this great opportunity!

"Bulgaria received some 97 German Panzer IV tanks, about 100 Sturmgeschuetz III assault guns and Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyers when it joined the Nazis in World War II," said museum director Milenov.

Nearly half of these, around 40, were buried as defensive positions along the southeast borders, he said.

A second line of more than 100 Soviet-built T-34 tanks was then added following the 1974 Cyprus crisis. This was when an
Athens-sponsored attempt to take control of the Mediterranean island led to Turkish intervention and occupation of about one-third of Cyprus.

The mysterious disappearance of a World War II tank from the
Lesovo region between October and December 2007 suddenly threw a spotlight on the forgotten wrecks.

Major Geno Kalev, who heads the recovery effort, told AFP the stolen tank was a Jagdpanzer IV L/70 model.

Local villagers nicknamed it "The Queen", saying it had a special plate that identified it as a personal present from Adolf Hitler to the former Bulgarian queen, Joanna.

"Rumor has it that was the only tank that had upholstery inside," Kalev said.

An NPR journalist talked with the alleged thief of the "Hitler tank," who denies that he was responsible for the theft.
This may seem like a crazy story, but evidently there are a lot of interested collectors who are lining up to bid on the rusty hulks. Do you think that the Bulgarian government might consider eBay?