Today my wife took our two little ones to the great Military Heritage Collection of North Texas, where they have a simply smashing collection of military vehicles, weapons, and uniforms. The museum is run by a great group of people who really want visitors to interact with the museum. During my first visit there a few months ago I was sincerely overwhelmed with the direct access I was granted to everything. I was able to touch weapons, climb into vehicles, and pick up various items. The museum is especially interesting in that one of the primary curators is a Brit named Mark, who still retains his London accent. As as result, the collection has a rather expansive commonwealth section, including a fully driveable FV433 Abbot SPG! While I've been to the museum before, unfortunately the demands of work meant this trip was without dad, so mom and the two kids had all the fun. Rachel did take a few good photos to stoke my jealousy. Here is little Ottavio doing some combat driving in a Vietnam era Jeep. Clearly Serena is shirking her duties on the M60 machine gun. I think the fully removable axe is a nice touch as well. Ottavio was also had a ball commanding the Abbot. He returned home with an indelible smile telling me he had "pewed" a lot of bad guys at the museum. This photo show AFVs in the way I like them best; with muddy tracks! I'll certainly be visiting the museum again in the future, and more than likely participating in their program where one can actually drive the Abbot! This will most certainly include photos and video.
I'll be going back there fairly regularly if I can manage it. They have something like 25 vehicles, many in working order, and I'll be climbing into and taking photos of everything. They also have a rather extensive collection of tech manuals. We had some preliminary discussions around digitizing these, for public consumption.
I also "pewed" plenty of bad guys when I was Ottavio's age. I also like the muddy tracks on the AFV, though the Pepsi can doesn't quite fit.
Otto, do they happen to have a M5A1 light tank (Stuart) in that collection? I've seen a couple but was never able to get inside.
No Stuarts there Buten. Most of what they have is wheeled and post-WWII. My next visit there will be in February and I'll get a full list of everything they have
Lordy, they grow up don't they. Seems only yesterday you procreated. (Currently reflecting on this. Youngest 15 yesterday...) Abbots could be had for about £1.5k on release. Now more like 20... Love their website URL Code: http://www.fubarmotorpool.com/ Home Proper looking museum. Down with touch screens & single artifacts displayed in large rooms with its emotive story. Give me stuff, and more stuff, with interested & interesting people. Climbing inside things is to be treasured. Not common.
Hmm, sprogs in museums 'Start 'em young' around the world, anyone? Said 15-year-old with a Centurion at Woolwich: (For clarity... not 15 in this pic) And a more recent Niece, at Bovington, with something a little more classic. (Bit blurry. She doesn't stand still much & I get confused when there's a lovely Mk.VI in view...) Education or indoctrination... Whatever.