Armor Museums! (1 Viewer)

steel wheels

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In the spring, I plan on taking a trip to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland to view their tank collection. Has anyone ever been there, and is it worth the trip. I have also heard that this guy Jacques Littlefield in California, has one of the best privately owned collections in the world. I have seen his stuff on TV during that show tank restoration, and on the internet. Does anyone have a recommendation on a good Armor Museum?
 
I think there was a thread about the Littlefield collection. I know that McKenna has visited the collection.
 
It is definately worth a trip, but many of the tanks have been ravaged by time and the elements. They have begun to restore a few. The US collection, a block or two away from the museum, is in much better shape. The small weapons collection is fantastic. Enjoy.
 
Well there are several good spots in the USA.

Obviously, APG has been the "Holy Grail", but it is a case of good news and bad news. As mentioned, the collection was allowed to deteriorate, which was criminal as they have many unique items. Good news is that there have been efforts to get some stuff repaired and painted. A slow process, but at least it's started. There have been stories about moving the Museum to Ft.Lee, VA as part of a base realignment program. I haven't kept up on the status of a possible move.

The BEST single government armor museum (IMHO) is the Patton Museum at Ft. Knox. Their acquisition and restoration have been going longer than APG's. The problem with Ft. Knox is that about half of the vehicles are in storage, only part of the collection is readily available to the public. They do have some "runners" that they fire up about Memorial Day weekend and also on the 4th of July. They have mock battles between German and American forces. A number of nice displays inside the museum and a friendly staff.

The Military Vehicle Technology Foundation is the collection of Jaques Littlefield. Unfortunately, being a private collection with a lot of active restoration going on they are VERY limited on tours. Many of the vehicles have been meticulously restored. There has been a friendly rivalry between the MVTF and the Wheatfield Collection, a private collection in England, to see who gets their Panther fully restored first.

There are several other small museums and private collections including the 45th Division Museum in Oklahoma City, OK, the 1st Division Museum near Chicago, the WW2 Victory Museum at Auburn, IN, and the military museum at Hubbard, OH (which will host the 2008 annual meet of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society), the Heartland Military Vehicle Museum at Lexington, NE, plus others.

It all depends on your time, your interest and where you are starting from.

Have a good vacation,

Gary
 
I think there was a thread about the Littlefield collection. I know that McKenna has visited the collection.

Yes I have been there. I went again about a month ago. The collection is tight. The only bummer is that you have to be invited in order to get in. Well worth the trip though. Attached are some photos of the trip my wife and I took there this year.

Take Care
MCKENNA
 

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And some more photos

MCKENNA
 

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And some more

MCKENNA
 

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But wait, theres more. Thought Brad might like these

MCKENNA
 

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The American Armoured Tank Museum in Danville VA is a very good place to visit. I haven't been to any of the others that have been mentioned so I can't really compare. When I was there I was talking with a gentleman who had been to Aberdeen. He said it was better than Aberdeen but you can take that for what its worth. It is definitely worth the trip in my opinion.

Here is the link to the website.

Danville Tank Museum

Thanks
Ronnie
www.crossroadsdiecast.com
 
Hi Guys,

As has already been mentioned APG is a great place to look at and they have begun to restore a lot of the vehicles that have been left out. I would really recommend the trip to Ft Knox first because the majority of the vehicles there are undercover and the Patton information is as good as it gets. They also have recovered a couple of WWI Renaults in Afganistan and are in the process of restoreing them so you might be able to get a look at that process. Also most the Army Posts have museums that are open to the public. If you are driving the East coast then I would suggest you look in on the Airborne Museum at Ft Bragg and I am sure Ft Benning will also have a very good museum on the Infantry.

All the best

Dave
 
Fort Drum, NY has a pretty good assortment of vehicles. Unfortunately they are displayed outside. Here are some photos from last year.
 

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Some more from Fort Drum,NY

Aloha,

Larry
 

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I'm going to APG first, because I am going to fit around a family trip to DC. I wonder if my wife would like to go to the Kentucky Derby, while I go to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox? I really think a good book could be made from visiting all these Armor museums. It would make an exellent color photo coffee table book.
 
I think there was a thread about the Littlefield collection. I know that McKenna has visited the collection.

I need to visit that museum! I believe that Mr. Littlefield is an alumnus from my high school (Cate School)-was just reading the class notes.

Tally Ho,
Beau
 

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