Get to Know Your Tank Farm Collection
The BMP-1P Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious, NBC resistant tracked infantry fighting vehicle. The BMP-1 was the first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle. The west’s reaction to the idea of an armored personnel carrier that could take on heavy armored vehicles was worrisome. Our answer was the development of the Bradley IFV along with Britain’s Warrior and Germany’s Marder. The idea was to combine an armored personnel carrier and a light tank together to fight on a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) battlefield where the infantry inside could still fight using firing ports while being protected inside the IFV. It would give the infantry the ability to support the tanks with the same mobility as a tank.

The BMP-1 was armed with a 73mm main gun firing a rocket as well as a Sagger AT-3 anti-tank missile fired from above the main gun on a rail. The main gun had a coax machine gun along side itself and all the infantry had ports to fire from. After a time, the decision was made to remove the Sagger and add a more advanced anti-tank missile. The AT-4 Fagot and the AT-5 Spandrel were added to the turret roof on a removable mount.

Our BMP-1 is a BMP-1P in that it is a late model having the Spandrel missile set up and the addition of 6 smoke launchers on the back of the turret. Our BMP-1P came out of the East German Army in the mid 90’s. They are still being used all over the world and many have been seen fighting in the Ukraine with Ukrainian forces. 
‌
‌
As you can see our restorations and maintenance of our vehicles are quite expensive. Your donations are paramount to helping us preserve the history that these vehicles can share with our future generations. If you'd like to donate toward the Maintenance and Tank Restoration Fund you can click here:
This Year's Open House is
September 24-25th!
Mark Your Calendars...You Don't Want to Miss This Annual Event!
Get to Know Your Tank Farm Volunteers

The Farm's Operations Manager,
Marc Sehring
Marc Sehring our Tank Farm's Operation Manager
In this newsletter we interview the Tank Farm's Operations Manager, Marc Sehring, who sheds some light on himself and some of the vehicles in our collection.

Marc, tell us a little bit about yourself and interests.

I have lived in Virginia most of my life. I am married and we have a daughter, as well as a lazy English Bulldog. I have a background in Fine Arts and a degree in Military History. We like to travel and most of our vacations include stops in places which follow my career and hobbies which are military history. We have visited over 100 historical sites and museums in Europe during our many visits. Everything from Roman to Cold War sites with a focus on World War 1 and 2. It has been amazing to share with my family history where it happened whether the Forum in Rome or Omaha Beach in Normandy. Additionally, some of the museum staff and volunteers have made trips to military history shows, museums and historical sites in England and Europe to do research and purchase parts.
Marc in Rome with Military Vehicle in Background
Marc in a Bell 429 Helicopter
Marc, how did you get started with the Tank Farm?

I always had a keen interest in military history. I met Allan through a mutual friend my senior year of high school. At that time the shop was run by a former REME mechanic from Wales. I started apprenticing during the summers while in college and decided after college to try museum restoration full time.

Marc, how long have you been working at the Tank Farm and what do you do?

I have been working here for close to 30 years. I oversee everything from writing newsletter articles to restoration of the vehicles in the collection. I paint, weld, fabricate, operate, repair as well as do lots of research. Our research has taken me to many places to study, photograph, and measure vehicles we are restoring. I help Bruce with our volunteer program and keep the staff focused on our projects. One of my most challenging tasks is our open house which has been going on since around 1993.
 
What is your favorite tank in the collection and why?

They each have special qualities, but my two favorites are the T-72 and the Strv 103C (perhaps better known as the S-tank). The T-72 is a modern main battle tank, with a long history, but it is also still in service in many places around the world. It’s 125mm cannon is one large gun. I had the opportunity to train under a Russian trained East German tank mechanic in Germany as well as here when we acquired the group of Soviet vehicles in the 1990’s. The Strv 103C looks unusual in that it has no turret, has a gas turbine engine, diesel engine, autoloader, hydro-pneumatic suspension and can float. Allan, Larry and I trained in Sweden on the S-Tank with the Swedish army before we received our S-Tanks as they are very complicated and would be difficult to operate without proper training.

What is the hardest tank to work on and/or drive?

That’s easy, the hardest tank to work on is the Churchill---it is just a nightmare. It's cramped and overly complicated.

In contrast, what is the easiest tank to work on and/or drive?

Hands down, the Sherman is the easiest tank to work on—roomy and well laid out. The M5A1 Stuart, M41 Bulldog and Chaffee are the easiest to drive; light and have automatic transmissions.

Ketchup or Mustard?

Neither, I like hot sauce!
EDUCATE | HONOR | INSPIRE