Ah, my old friend Curves.

Right, because the box is modelled on the the rearmost section of a chuck wagon (a really fascinating vehicle, if you have time to look at a diagram of one) and contains cooking equipment. Often it is called a "patrol box," not only because it is assigned to and serves a single patrol, but also because if it is large…

Patrol box.

Can the Casio F-91W take a licking and keep on ticking? The Timex T41711 Camper (which, unlike the Casio, can also be used to find north when one doesn't have a compass) thinks not.

Unimog.

@SynthOno: Respect.

@LaziestManOnMars: Groovy! I have the Matchbox version from the 60s.

@mazahh: Please add flamethrower turret for defense against snowboarding zombies.

The Pentagon called. They want their secret ice ray weapons system back.

Maybe someone drove the original hearse off a bridge?

@Rick Lucey: Road trip. Shotgun! (Though I hope that you are available of your own accord; if not, then may you become busy again as soon as possible.)

@Rick Lucey: I agree, and I propose that Gawker fund a fact-finding, cheese-eating, French-girl-interrogating trip for you and me.

@Rick Lucey: One would think so, right? The Nazis used a lot of ritzy hotels and mansions in Paris as offices, barracks, etc. Of course, they looted a lot of artwork, also.

Hmm, this fellow Mantin was a Mason, so this must be a trap—some sort of conspiracy! Oh, yes, we'll know the truth when this becomes the venue for the next Bilderberg Group meeting.

"...some public french [sic] entity probably could have gone in an [sic] effectively seized it all..."

@myootnt: I think we both deserve stars for our comments, but all I can do is heart you.

@myootnt: Just needs Laxachusettive.

@Scott.Gardeski the White Knight: Yes, "everybody" covered the bases articulately, and raised some serious issues that trump the "gee whiz" factor of being able to share views of such a workplace. If you think he did good and interesting work here, please e-mail Jesus Diaz and recommend "everybody" for a star (as I…

@Everybody: Well, you certainly deserved a star for your writing, but it looks as though Diaz isn't going to honor the request I sent him. Kudos for the very constructive effect your thoughts had on many of the commenters here.

@njndirish: C'mon, we're just getting started and we have no stars at risk here. Just two guys knocking around ideas. Do donations deserve a lower standard of stewardship than tuition fees?