Meet the German BMW R75!![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #visitma #MilitaryHistory #historymuseum #WWII
A historic victory for an extraordinary aircraft.![]()
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The American Heritage Museum’s PBY-5A Catalina, BuNo 2459, has been named the World War II Grand Champion Warbird at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. American Aero Services also received the prestigious Golden Wrench Award for its remarkable seven-year restoration.![]()
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Discover the story behind this historic achievement and the dedicated team that returned the world’s highest-scoring anti-submarine aircraft to the sky.![]()
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Read the full story at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2026/07/american-heritage-museums-historic-pby-5a-catalina-wins-wo...![]()
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Photos: Al Sauer, Jim Harley, Doug Birkey
America’s Tank Demo Weekend starts today at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA! See our WWII tanks in operation along with our new Cold War Era tanks for their first running display! See the M4 Sherman, M5 Stuart, M24 Chaffee, and M36 Jackson along with the M41 Walker Bulldog, M47 Patton, M60 Main Battle Tank, M88 Recovery Vehicle, and the M60A2. Gates open at 9am and live demos at 11am and 2pm. Lots to see and do - all three museum buildings are open, and speakers in the main museum on tank topics all day. Buy tickets and get info at the link in our bio or at americanheritagemuseum.org. #americanheritagemuseum #visitma #tanks #worldoftanks #hudsonma
If you haven't already had a chance to see our PBY-5A Catalina at EAA AirVenture, there's still time! Come on out and pay us a visit before the show is over!![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #WWIIHistory #PBY #eaa #osh
This Weekend! America's Tank Demo Weekend - Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th! Learn More: ahmus.me/atdw2026 - Here's a sneak preview of the incredible new Cold War Era tanks that will be featured including the new M41 Walker Bulldog, M47 Patton, M60 Main Battle Tank, and M88 Recovery Vehicle and M60A2. These will be joined by our WWII tanks: M5 Stuart, M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, and M36 Jackson! You don't want to miss it! Get Tickets at ahmus.me/atdw2026
- This event has passed.
History After Hours: Maj. Carpenter & “Rosie the Rocketer” with Jim Busha
May 15, 2025 @ 6:00 pm, ending 8:30 pm
$15 – $20
History After Hours is a Monthly Evening Program for American Heritage Museum Guests and Members to learn more about some of the fascinating stories surrounding the history presented in the museum. History After Hours events are 6:00pm to 8:30pm.
Our May 15, 2025 History After Hours Program features Jim Busha, noted aviation historian and journalist and author of Bazooka Charlie: The Unbelievable Story of Major Charles Carpenter and Rosie the Rocketer.
Major Charles Carpenter made headlines during the Second World War when he affixed six bazookas to his tiny Piper L-4 observation plane and began attacking German tanks – successfully destroying six German tanks and destroying or disabling several German armored vehicles. “Bazooka Charlie” and his plane “Rosie the Rocketer” were profiled in a variety of military and civilian publications, including the iconic Stars & Stripes. His efforts earned him the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
The major was a high school educator in the civilian world, teaching history and coaching football. In 1945, the dashing pilot was forced out of the cockpit and into a hospital bed by Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which was discovered in his neck. In addition to the enemy and terminal cancer, Carpenter also battled cynicism and guilt, particularly in regard to the state of his marriage, which was on the brink of failure by the time he returned home from Europe. Charles Carpenter died in 1966, having resumed his career, salvaged his marriage, and long outlived the timeline afforded him by his doctors in the initial prognosis.
This revealing biography of the famous pilot was made possible through the collaboration of Jim Busha and Carpenter’s daughter, Carol Apacki. Along with memories of her father in his postwar years, Carol provided a treasure trove of wartime correspondence between Charles and his wife, Elda Carpenter.
The actual L-4 flown by Carpenter, “Rosie the Rocketer” was found by the American Heritage Museum in 2019 and restored to flying condition. It will be on display this evening for visitors to see.
Program Admission
$15 per person advance sale online
$20 per person at the event
Admission is free for American Heritage Museum members.
(Not a member? Click here to purchase a membership and email membership@americanheritagemuseum.org
with your member ID number for the promo code for members)
Click Here to Buy Tickets to History After Hours on May 15, 2025
