Aberdeen Proving Ground Tank Museum (2 Viewers)

[DMNamiot]

Hi All,

I just returned from a rather long trip back to the east coast visiting friends and relatives but I did manage to make time for some fun. I took my boys to see the tanks at the APG Museum. It was great seeing a lot of the worlds best armor in one location. My oldest son Ethan was especially taken with the Elefant Tank Destroyer that was captured near Anzio. This vehicle was also the recent subject of the Tank restoration show on the Military Channel. So we were really thrilled that we could get upclose and personal with it and several other very cool vehicles.

So here are the photos from that side trip.

Enjoy

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

In this next series of photos I will start with the WWI Tanks and move to the WWII Tanks. I didnt take any photos of the modern stuff but there was plenty for everyone to see. The museum also houses a very complete collection of small arms and other equipment. I highly recommend you visit next time you are in the Baltimore area.

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

More WWI

 

[DMNamiot]

Now what most of you want to see WWII

Enjoy

 

[DMNamiot]

More WWII

 

[DMNamiot]

More WII

 

[DMNamiot]

A few more WWII

 

[DMNamiot]

A few more WWII with battle damage

 

[DMNamiot]

Now some Allied Equipment

 

[DMNamiot]

More photos of the French Char Leger R-35 See if you can spot the damage from an AT round?

 

[DMNamiot]

A few other interesting vehicles and a very wild 155mm recoilless Rifle

 

[binder001]

Nice photos - thanks for sharing.

Gary B

 

[skeeterbuck]

FYI, I understand this entire armor collection is slated to be moved to Ft. Lee in Virginia sometime in the near future. All but "Anzio Annie" because it would be too costly to move her.

 

[tdubel]

Perfect timing,

Yes, my stepdad confirmed that the Ordnance will be moving, but as with anything dealing with bases, it is still subject to change. Regardless, I would say if you want to visit, now is the time. As for the Tigers, the only 1 there that he has determined is the Jadj. I remember as a kid a King and a Tiger, but maybe my memory is going bad on that one!

Anyhow, I plan on making a trip shortly to produce a photobook of the pieces!

Tom

 

[aujj65]

Thanks Dave, nice photos! AP round straight into the engine! Was it driving backwards at the time?

Jeff

 

[1879fanatic]

More photos of the French Char Leger R-35 See if you can spot the damage from an AT round?

Dave,
Of course! It was hit in the rear! French, right?

Nice pics of the young trooper...keep them for when he's older, he'll love them... I still have mine from when I was a kid at WPAFB,NASM etc.!
Mike

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering how the French Tank got hit too but there wasnt any information availble (that I could find) on its history. My guess is it was hit while repositioning and abandonded by the crew. There were many interesting vehicles and exhibits there that I had trouble staying focused too. I hope that if and when they move to Ft Lee they take the time to Build car ports or something to keep the vehicles undercover. As for the Missing Tiger 1 I couldnt get into see the staff of the museum to ask where it was I know for a fact that we had one there a while ago. Maybe they are doing a restoration job on it. I appeared that they had moved the Hetzer recently from its pad to do some work on it so perhaps they are going to repaint all of the WWII tanks. I had also hoped to see a few more WWI Tanks on display, oh well you cant have everything. We also took a trip to Ft McHenry which was just fantastic. The displays there are very well done and they have a lot for you to see, My favorite part of that trip was the Congreves Rocket they recovered.

All the best

Dave

 

[binder001]

The APG Tiger 1 is the one that went to Europe for restoration then was loaned to a German museum. I have heard several stories about when it is coming home - apparently nothing firm yet.

The APG Tiger II is the one that is now at the Patton Museum in Ft. Knox, KY. The Patton Museum is also going to get hit with BRAC as the Armor school is to move to Ft. Benning, GA and much of the tank collection will go with them. Some material will still remain and the Museum will change focus from Cavalry and Armor to just Gen. Patton (as I understand it). The guys at Knox have had one of the finest restoration programs outside of the Littlefield Collection. They have a bunch of tanks tucked away in storage, the stuff outside at the museum is only a fraction of their holdings. The last I heard the restoration program is on hold until after the move to Benning.

Gary

 

[tdubel]

Gary,
You are correct, the Tiger 1 has never come home, I forgot about its restoration.

I didn't know the King was the one at Knox, good stuff.

I have found a source with 1995 circa photo files that include the V2 Rocket that used to be there.

I just wish in 1983 (one of first trips I remember) going to Armed Forces Day and the entire field at the museum was lined with vehicles (this was before all of them had the pads). Oh jeez, how great it would to have had a camera then, but unfortunately, I was 10 years old and probably would not have got great photos. They used to let you keep all the ordnance shells you found back them after the demonstration. I remember seeing an M60 and an M1 (XM1 I think), really cool, they would take you on a train ride in passenger cars over to the fields to see the armor in action.

Anyhow, this will be a fun project to get what is left photoed and try to use the other sources to complete what was once there. I have not found any of the original Tiger 1 pics yet.

Tom

 

[binder001]

I imagine that the Tiger 1 won't come "home" until the Ordnance Museum moves to Ft. Lee. Even for the mlitary it makes no sense to move it twice.

Tiger II, turret #332, was captured in the Ardennes and was displayed at APG with the left turret side and part of the left hull cut away. For many years it sat outside in the weather. The tank was plated over (I believe) but after it got an indoor home at the Patton Museum the staff displayed the tank in "open" condition again. Purists object, but since the tank was cut back in the 40's or 50's, it does make sense to show the interior. There was a blurb on the Patton Museum web page about reloading the ammo racks in the KingTiger. They didn't have original German ammo for the 88mm/L71 but some US 90mm ammo became available. The shells were painted to German color codes and the ammo has been placed in racks and bins where is helps remind people about how "full" a tank can get. When I saw it in 2005 I had to reach across the rope and lay a hand on it because in all my years of studying about tanks, this is the only Tiger that I have actually touched.

Gary B.