RVs and historic military vehicles to convoy Alaska Highway

This will likely be a familiar scene in campgrounds

Nearly 100 historic military vehicles are registered for a convoy that will drive the Alaska Highway beginning in early August, 2012. The event is sponsored by the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) which is honoring the 70th anniversary of the building of the Alaska Highway by traveling it in historic military vehicles.

Association members will accompany the convoy in their RVs, which will serve as support vehicles. Most overnight stops will be in campgrounds along the route.

Other highways to be traveled include the Campbell Highway, the Top of the World Highway/Taylor Highway, and the Hatcher Pass and the Denali Highways.

The convoy will launch from Dawson Creek, British Columbia on August 4, 2012 and travel approximately 4,100 miles in 27 days, returning to Dawson Creek on August 30.

Military vehicles were the backbone of the Alaska Highway construction project. Building the road would not have been possible without more than 7,000 pieces of military equipment.

“This will be a convoy of historic military vehicles of all eras, from WWI through current-issue,” said Convoy Commander Terry Shelswell. “The military vehicles are privately-owned and restored by individuals who have an interest in preserving these vehicles and the important roles they played throughout our military history."

The non-profit MVPA mission is "to provide an international organization for military vehicle enthusiasts, historians, preservationists and collectors interested in the acquisition, restoration, preservation, safe operation and public education of historic military transport." It has more than 9,000 members throughout the world.

To learn more about the convoy visit the MVPA website.