2ND TRIP--new photos! Amer. Armored Foundation Tank Museum trip

Modeling Subjects Armor
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Hi guys,

I’ve just uploaded a bunch more pics at my Fotki site, located HERE

I thought I’d share these with you—I had an awesome day today. I went to the American Armored Foundation Tank Museum in Danville, VirSginia–about a 75 minute trip from where I’m living now in NC.

WOW! What a great place! This is one of the largest private collections of armor in the world, and it has some RARE beauties! Not a lot of WII stuff, but more than enough cool, unique vehicles to make me drool. The owner tools around on a big tricycle, and is the nicest guy to talk to–full of information and love for his collection, which are all in original and/or correct paint–not like some of the garish schemes seen at other museums. Many of his tanks are runners, and he’s restoring several more. A really awesome trip. I didn’t even get through the whole museum—I ran out of time, and am going back next weekend!

Here’s some of the highlights!

Inside the first main hall

A PZIV which was taken out of Israel!

A rare M60A2–this one is a runner!

A nice M48A5 in MERDC colors

An M55 Self-propelled Howitzer

A big beauty—the M103 Heavy Tank. This one is a runner too!

WOW! A M247 Sergeant York in perfect condition! It looks just like the one on Tamiya’s model box!

This is cool–one of only 7 remaining Swedish STRV-74s in the world.

In another room, a M163 A1 Vulcan in perfect condition!

Here’s the link to my FOTKI album with more pictures— AAF Tank Museum

I highly recommend it if you’re in the area! Enjoy the pics!

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My My no wonder you’ve got that big smile on your face Karl.[Y]

Thanks

Tony lee

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I had been planning on heading up there for a while now and just haven’t made it. Didn’t know there was a lot of modern or post WWII stuff. I am really not into the WWII stuff so seeing your pics has made me really want to make time for a trip up there. I am in Jacksonville so its looks to be a 3 hour trip or so. Maybe next weekend .Thanks.

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nice stuff Karl,thanks for the link

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that’s all PRIVATELY owned?!?

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Yeah, guys–that’s all PRIVATELY owned!!! And you wouldn’t believe all the stuff yet that I DIDN’T see!

ColdSteel—it’s well worth the trip! And make sure you bring your credit card—the gift shop is like a mini-hobby store packed with armor. The place even has authentic uniforms for sale; lot of weird stuff; Cold War-era German stuff among others, and reasonably priced too!

The owner tools around on a big tricycle-type thing, He tells people he’s the janitor so as not to attract attention. Man, get this guy talking though, and you’ll learn a lot! He had some interesting things to say about modeling, “true” colors (for instance, 34807 is NOT an “accurate color” for WWII USA tanks) and a lot of little things about tanks that I never knew. He has stories behind each one of his tanks, and had some…interesting things to say about certain “other” museums’ collections that I never knew… Really, a great guy, and a font of knowledge.

If you go, get there early–the place is HUGE, and if you’re going to take photos, you have to ASK at the front desk FIRST if you bring a tripod to counter the less-than-ideal lighting conditions; you really do need a tripod to get good exposure like in most of my photos.

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Very cool looking place Karl…thanks for posting the pics! I particularly liked the 1:1 diorama’s…and that was mighty courageous of you to jump to the assistance of that fellow falling off the Bulldog!..lol. I hope you’re able to post pics of your second trip.

Cheers,

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Is the Pz IV in grey? It looks like it. I’m surprised that they didn’t repaint it.

Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks Doog.

I’m suppose to go outside and mow the lawn but I just came across this just now.

The grass can wait another hour…

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Awesome Karl! I’d love to see the M103 Heavy Tank up close!! I wish we had something like that near the SF/Bay area!! There is Jacques Littlefield’s Military Vehicle Technology Foundation in Portola Valley, but its not normally open to the general public. Don’t know if I’ll ever get a chance to go there…[:(]

Thanks so much for posting the pics!! Have tons of fun on your next visit!!

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Brad–yes, the diorama’s are cool. I just wish that I could get better detail pics of the vehicles in the scenes! I’ll definitely post some more shots of my second trip out!

Eric–yeah, I noticed that too, about the color. The guy said that this tank was found in the Golan Heights. Apparently there’s a few of them there, and they’re like, monuments or something, and were used in some of the conflicts in the late 40’s? I don’t know what’s up with the paint. It’s entirely probable that it’s Israeli stock paint used to camouflage it for the rocky ground of the Golan? Some Merkavas are painted in a similar green-gray shade.

SprueOne–lol, glad to have been a relaxing distraction!

Ernest–I LOVE that M103! It’s a cool beast! I wish someone would make a kit of it! It’s a beautiful beast! Glad you liked the pics!

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your friends send their regards doogie

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Very cool collection. Great pics Karl. [:)]

Is it me or are the tracks on that Pz.IV backwards?

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Phil—wow, GOOD EYES! I didn’t even notice that, but you’re absolutely correct! Those track ARE on backwards!

I"ll have to point that out to the guy when I see him again!

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Lots of cool heavy gear there Karl! Nice to have something like that close by to go get some inspiration from. [B]

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Yeah, it’s cool, Bill! I’m still hoping to go again this weekend and ask the guy if I can get some interior shots!

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I think it was the Arab countries that used the Panzer IVs during the 6 Day War. Jordan and Syria I believe. I imagine the Israelis had more modern equipment.

Thanks for the photos. Where are the rest? [;)]

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Joe, I believe you’re right—I don’t think this was an Israeli tank, per se. But I think that when it was recovered or appropriated, it may then have been repainted?

The other pics are here. AAF Tank Museum

Enjoy!

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I believe that the US Army is moving its museum at Aberdeen, Maryland to Fort Lee in Virginia. That is outside of Petersburg and near Richmond. You might want to make a roadtrip there in the future, Karl, as you are living in NC now.

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Lee, that’s a great idea–I travel through Va when I"m on my way home to Pa or NY to work. That would be a nice little detour!!