Get to Know Your Tank Farm Collection |
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This is a behind-the-scenes look into the history of individual vehicles in the Tank Farm collection. In this newsletter we highlight the museums renovation of the earliest tank in our collection, the Six-Ton Tank Model 1917.
The Model 1917 tank was a copy of the French FT 17 tank designed by the famous car maker, Louis Renault. The Model 1917 tank is unique in that it was the world’s first tank with a fully rotating turret; previous tanks, such as the British “Mother” had their main armament in sponsons along the side of the hull, limiting their field of fire. The US version of this tank is similar to, but not an exact duplicate of the French original, as the US had to convert the metric dimensions into English units. The US improved many details they found lacking in the French version. A few of the improvements were better armor, a firewall between the engine and crew, and a metal front idler wheel. (The French version had a wooden front idler.)
The museum tries to research each vehicle in its inventory, but we don’t know too much about our Model 1917, or even which US company made her. We acquired the vehicle approximately 20 years ago, rescuing it from an antique store which had saved it from a junkyard in Georgia where the hulk was being used as a yard ornament.
We brought the chassis up to the restoration shops and began a search for parts. Although some elements of the vehicle were in surprisingly good condition, the interior was basically scrap. Unfortunately you can’t go to the local NAPA auto parts store and find parts for a Model 1917 tank. We could have used a substitute engine since that is a very rare part and half of ours was missing, but that goes against the museums way of doing business…. we restore to historical correctness.
Finally we hit the jackpot and found two engines. One was owned by a tractor collector in Indiana, the other was in what was left of a World War I ambulance. The museum acquired both engines in 2009 and began the process of building one good engine from the remnants of the three. The gasoline powered, 4-cylinder, 42-hp engine was originally built by the Buda Engine Company based in Harvey, Illinois.
Since we now had an engine, the restoration of the interior could begin in earnest. Decades of rust had dissolved nuts and bolts into one mass of metal…. the sound of hammers and wrenches filled the air as the museum staff and volunteers sometimes spent a week just to loosen one critical suspension part. Cans of penetrating oil were also a critical element in our toolkit.
It is now fully restored and is a center piece of the collection making its appearance every year at our open house.
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LTC George S. Patton in Front of a French Renault Tank in France During WWI |
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Restoration of the Model 1917 |
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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: |
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Veteran Spotlight
WWII Fighter Ace, Philip Adair
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This month we spotlight WWII veteran, fighter Ace, Philip Adair. Philip was born in Tuttle, Oklahoma in the heart of tornado alley. He served in the United States Army Air Force with the 80th Fighter Group, 89th Fighter Squadron, 10th Air Force. He flew the P-40 Warhawk and was part of the famed Burma Banshees based in Karachi, India. Their primary mission was to provide air cover for the other aircraft of the 10th Air Force who were engaged in Hump Airlift Operations. The most vulnerable part of the operation was the northern route where the Japanese fighters routinely would attack unarmed transports as they were crossing the mountains. In October of 1943, the 80th began flying interdiction missions into Northern Burma.
During a combat mission on 13 December 1943, Philip Adair encountered the enemy for the first time. Shortly after returning to base, the alarm sounded indicating enemy aircraft were incoming on their way to bomb 10th Air Forces bases. Philip, after his P-40 was refueled, immediately took off to intercept and found himself alone and facing the enemy, a group of 24 bombers with 40 fighter escorts. Despite his aircraft being hit by several rounds, Adair stayed in the fight and no doubt saved lives by retarding the Japanese attack. For his actions, he was awarded the Silver Star.
During the war, Philip Adair was credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft making him an Ace. (A pilot who has 5 or more confirmed kills.) In addition to the Silver Star, Adair was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He would go on to fly jet aircraft and retire with the rank of Colonel in 1971. In 2017, Philip Adair passed away and was buried at Quantico National Cemetery.
If you, or somebody you know would like to participate in the Voices of Freedom Project, contact Dennis Gill at dgill@AmericansinWartime.org.
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Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
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On November 9th and 10th, 2021, thousands of people, mostly Americans, but not all, placed flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The event, known as the Flower Ceremony, coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Tomb. While thousands paid their respects for those who died in battle, but whose identity is unknown, a Sentinel, a member of the Army’s Old Guard, continued to watch over the Tomb as they have done continuously since 1937.
Tomb Guards are members of the Army’s Old Guard assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment stationed at Fort Myer. It is the oldest active regiment in the Army having been originally organized as the First American Regiment in 1784.
The Sentinels are some of the most dedicated servicemembers in all the military. Sentinels take exactly 21 steps along the mat which is situated in front of the Tombs west face. Once their 21 steps are complete, they half face and pause for 21 seconds before half facing again and returning another 21 steps and pausing, again, for another 21 seconds. This ritual continues 24 hours a day, rain or shine, hot or cold, night and day with the precision of a fine Swiss watch. No detail is overlooked, from the Sentinels uniforms, to their haircuts, to their flawless handling of their M14 rifles with fixed bayonet. When they are not standing watch, they are preparing to stand watch.
During several trips to Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Myer in February and March, the Voices of Freedom will be documenting the experiences of those Sentinels and their command staff during the Flower Ceremony for the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We are honored to have been chosen for this very important task.
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Get to Know Your Tank Farm Volunteers |
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Bruce Works on Fabricating Interior Brackets for the Turret |
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In this section we will introduce you to the staff and volunteers of the Tank Farm. We will chat with the Tank Farm staff, so that you can get to know the people who "keep'em running" and work so hard behind the scenes and provide a behind -- the -- scenes look into the history of individual vehicles in the collection. In this newsletter, we have asked Bruce Oppenhagen about his duties as Volunteer Coordinator.
Bruce, describe your duties as Volunteer Coordinator.
"I keep a file of all of the individuals that have volunteered to help at the Tank Farm, send E-mails to all the volunteers to arrange for help during the preparation and tear down for Open House, coordinate volunteer work and training days, and advise the museum staff as necessary."
Bruce is too modest. He rides shotgun on all of us enthusiastic volunteers and organizes work parties, staffing for the Open House and a myriad of other duties. Perhaps getting the volunteers on the same sheet of music is akin to herding cats -- but Bruce does it with boundless enthusiasm, endless patience, and a smile.
How long have you been volunteering at the Tank Farm?
"Since 1995."
How did you hear about the Tank Farm and what drew you in?
"I was volunteering at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Museum at Quantico helping to restore a Russian SU-76 assault gun and a US Ontos when the staff and volunteers from the museum were invited to an Open House at the Tank Farm. The Air-Ground Museum sometimes contracted work out to the staff at the Tank Farm, such as restoration, repair, fabrication, and metal prep. That was in 1992 or 1993. I then attended the regular Open Houses for several years before I became a Tank Farm volunteer."
What started your interest in tanks and military vehicles?
"When I was 5 or 6 years old my brother and I used to watch “Combat” and “Rat Patrol” on TV and play with GI Joes. This was in the mid-60's before GI Joes became the Adventure Team. I also liked to read The Haunted Tank and Sgt. Rock comic books. So, I've had a general interest in the military since a very young age. Then when I was in 6th grade, 11 years old, I was given a magazine format book on the history of tanks. That really started my interest in tanks. Then I discovered a line of tank models by Monogram that included guide sheets on how to make dioramas using models. I became an avid model builder and eventually became pretty good at it. I lost interest in building models when my son was 3 years old and picked up a tank I was building and wanted to play on the floor with it. It was about that time I graduated to working in 1 to 1 scale!"
What is your favorite armored fighting vehicle of all time? Why?
"There was a time when I would have said the T-34/85 which I have had the opportunity to drive on numerous occasions, but I think I have to say the German Panther. Despite its numerous and well-known faults there is something about its stance and just how it looks with its sloped armor that I find attractive. I would not want to crew one in combat, not least of all for its propensity to catch on fire.
What is your favorite vehicle in the museum collection? Why?
Picking one vehicle out of the collection and calling it my favorite is very difficult. I really like the T-34's. But I also like the museum's "Hetzer," and I think the Strv 103C (S-tanks) are amazing. The technology they use is incredible. Also, I have always had an interest in camouflage and the paint scheme on the Strv 103C's fascinates me. I was lucky enough to help guide the Strv 103C with its flotation screen raised during an Open House. I imagine that makes me one of the few, if not only person in the US to have done that. I have such a positive memory of that day that I can't help but include it in a short list of favorites."
What is your favorite military history book? Why?
"A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan. I first read the book when I was a teenager, and it was one of the catalysts that started my academic interest in history. I have re-read the book multiple times and have also written several papers in college using it as a source and it still stands up to more recent works on Operation Market Garden."
Ketchup or mustard?
"Mustard."
Hamburger or hot dog?
"Hamburger."
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EDUCATE | HONOR | INSPIRE
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