19 replies to this topic

[John Nelson]

This years Collings Foundation Battle for the Airfield in Stow, Massachusetts will be held on October 6-7th. 

https://www.collings...r-the-airfield/

 

Always a bucket list event for the military history fan, this year will be even more special as it will offer a preview of the opening of the new American Heritage Museum.  

This state of the art facility will house probably the most impressive private collection anywhere, including parts of the Jacques Littlefield Collection, such as his Panther A. 

Other armor includes M4 Shermans, an M3 Lee, M26 Pershing, T-34, Panzer 1, Cromwell 1 M48 Patton, M60A1, M1A1 Abrams, T55, T72. 

 

https://www.facebook...57072714372821/

 

The Foundation just received its newest acquisition, a Bf109 G-10, in the last few days.  

https://www.facebook...?type=3

 

My son and I will attending for the 5th year in a row. It's a two hour drive each way but certainly worth it. 

Here's some video I shot at our first event in 2014:

 

https://youtu.be/U-p2cl18VaE?t=434

[nitflegal]

I've been going for several years as well, hopefully it won't be pouring this year.  And to see the new tanks is a huge draw as well.

[John Nelson]

 

[John Nelson]

Here with my son for the grand opening. What a fantastic place!
Will post pictures and video once we get back

[Manic Moran]

Of videoness,

[Markus Becker]

Speaking of, what kind of camera are you using, Nick? Interesting video despite the focus issues!

[Leo Niehorster]

RE: 

Unofficial High Speed Tour of the American Heritage Museum

Minute 5 — 7.5 cm Pak 97/38 "spare wheel"

 

This third wheel supported the trails when closed for movement by the crew for short distances without the prime mover.

For a picture, see http://www.lonesentr...-ex-french.html

 

For towed operation, this third wheel was fixed on top of the trails.

For a picture, see https://www.pinteres...04675927391041/

Edited by Leo Niehorster, 07 October 2018 - 0339 AM.

[Markus Becker]

👍

[Manic Moran]

Speaking of, what kind of camera are you using, Nick? Interesting video despite the focus issues!

 

Samsung Galaxy S6, I think. Whatever's in my pocket.

 

I did try once converting to do the videos with a proper camcorder and a weighted gimbal device, but it sortof lost out on some of the 'guerilla style', so I've kept with it, even when I have better equipment available to me.

 

Thank you, Leo. I went back to it afterwards, and figured it out... That's the problem with the HSTs, I don't hang around much to investigate if I can't figure it out right quick.

[Markus Becker]

..., but it sortof lost out on some of the 'guerilla style', so I've kept with it, even when I have better equipment available to me.

Note to self: Two more bottles to compensate for the focus going in and out.

Edited by Markus Becker, 13 October 2018 - 1521 PM.

[John Nelson]

Enjoyed that behind the scenes look Nick! I saw some copies of "Can Openers" on display and was wondering if it was the same Nick Moran who posts on that Tanknet site I occasionally visit. 

My son and I drove the two hours up from Connecticut and saw the American Heritage Museum on Saturday, the first day of it's "soft opening" to the public. 

I'm no tank expert and there were not any informational stations at most exhibits yet, but the museum was incredible, very impressive!

I wanted to see the Littlefield Panther and my eight year old son was most excited about finally seeing an M1 Abrams (he has numerous M1 toys and built a Lego version). 

The unexpected bonus for me was the Bf109 G10 painted in Erich Hartmann's colors. 

The lighting when we were there was geared towards dramatic effect and not to photography. Wish it was more like it was during your tour. 

This is already a world class facility. I will probably never get to Bovington, so I feel fortunate to have it so close.

 

Lines await on opening day:

 

The Panther faces a T-34. The Higgins boat in the background reportedly participated in the D-Day landings. 

 

Was a thrill to get up close to this vehicle:

 

I'm assuming this is the only Scud missle launcher in Massachusetts:

 

My son finds his Grail:

 

T-72?

 

Bf109 G10 in Hartmann's colors:

 

Of course there are many other pieces in the exhibit not pictured here. 

The museum will be open Thursdays through Sundays until November 25th, then closed until it's full Grand Re-opening in April. 

Edited by John Nelson, 15 October 2018 - 1522 PM.

[DB]

So much space.

[Manic Moran]

So much space.

 

Less than you might think. The exhibits can't really get much closer together and still be accessible. They are basically filled up already, with a couple of vehicles on long-term-loan (eg M10) offsite simply because they don't have anywhere else to put them.

[Michael Eastes]

This years Collings Foundation Battle for the Airfield in Stow, Massachusetts will be held on October 6-7th. 
https://www.collings...r-the-airfield/
 
Always a bucket list event for the military history fan, this year will be even more special as it will offer a preview of the opening of the new American Heritage Museum.  
This state of the art facility will house probably the most impressive private collection anywhere, including parts of the Jacques Littlefield Collection, such as his Panther A. 
Other armor includes M4 Shermans, an M3 Lee, M26 Pershing, T-34, Panzer 1, Cromwell 1 M48 Patton, M60A1, M1A1 Abrams, T55, T72. 
 
https://www.facebook...57072714372821/
 
The Foundation just received its newest acquisition, a Bf109 G-10, in the last few days.  
https://www.facebook...?type=3
 
My son and I will attending for the 5th year in a row. It's a two hour drive each way but certainly worth it. 
Here's some video I shot at our first event in 2014:
 
https://youtu.be/U-p2cl18VaE?t=434

The 109 came from the museum where I volunteer. Also they got the B-17G ( after heavy damage from a hurricane enroute), and I think that they also got the P-40 and P-38, as we had to sell almost all of the WWII collection. 😢

[nitflegal]

I will say that this is the first museum in the US that can compare in quality if not quantity to Bovington or Saumur.  The collection on display is smaller than either but the pieces are very good and I like the fact that they have opened the hatches so you can really see into them.  The fact that it has a Pershing, Panther, and IS-2 makes me happy.  The fact that they have a Churchill VII, Comet, and Cromwell makes me even happier.  They are doing a special event on the 11th to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1.

[nitflegal]

[nitflegal]

As a reminder, the last weekend to visit the museum before it opens officially in April is this Saturday and Sunday.

[Kenneth P. Katz]

My photos from the event

 

https://adinexplorat...6-october-2018/

[sunday]

I will say that this is the first museum in the US that can compare in quality if not quantity to Bovington or Saumur.  The collection on display is smaller than either but the pieces are very good and I like the fact that they have opened the hatches so you can really see into them.  The fact that it has a Pershing, Panther, and IS-2 makes me happy.  The fact that they have a Churchill VII, Comet, and Cromwell makes me even happier.  They are doing a special event on the 11th to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1.

 

Bovington and Saumur both have unique prototypes of British and French tanks. Little Willie, TOG, Valiant, Schneider, ARL, AMX-50, etc. Munster also has unique pieces, then Kubinka has a lot of Russian prototypes.

[Mikel2]

Perhaps Saumur can fund the recovery of the three Char B1 Ter prototypes that lie inside a sunken cargo ship near the French coast since 1940. Supposedly there have been several surveys of the wreck, but it is buried in silt, which is great for preservation.