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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 ... See MoreSee Less
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Rounding out our Cold War era tanks that will be on the roll for America’s Tank Demo Weekend on July 25-26, 2026 this weekend - the last light tank designed by the U.S., the M41 Walker Bulldog. Though we have an M41 in the Vietnam Gallery, this second operational example is a great addition to our operational tank lineup… more info on the event at the link in our bio or at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/americas-tank-demo-weekend-july/ The M41 Walker Bulldog was developed in the late 1940s to replace the aging M24 Chaffee and provide the U.S. Army with a faster, more heavily armed light tank for reconnaissance and airborne support missions. Entering service in 1951, the M41 featured a high-speed gasoline engine, torsion bar suspension, and a powerful 76mm gun capable of engaging both enemy armor and fortified positions. Named in honor of General Walton H. Walker, who was killed during the Korean War, the tank combined mobility, firepower, and reliability, making it one of the most capable light tanks of its era. Although it saw only limited combat with U.S. forces, the M41 was widely exported through American military assistance programs and served with dozens of allied nations for decades. It participated in conflicts throughout Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, with many countries modernizing the design long after its retirement from U.S. service. Today, the M41 remains one of the most recognizable and successful light tanks of the Cold War. #m41 #walkerbulldog #tanks #worldoftanks #tankmuseum ... See MoreSee Less
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Let's Learn How To Operate the Blister Turrets in the PBY-5A Catalina!#AmericanHeritageMuseum #WWIIHistory #PBY #eaa #osh ... See MoreSee Less
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A very familiar Cold War era tank will roar into life for America’s Tank Demo Weekend on July 25-26, 2026 this weekend - the early M60 Main Battle Tank. Found around the country on static display, but rarely seen driving, it’s another new addition to our operational tank lineup… more info on the event at the link in our bio or at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/americas-tank-demo-weekend-july/ The M60 Main Battle Tank was developed in response to the growing threat posed by advanced Soviet armor during the Cold War and entered U.S. Army service in 1960. While outwardly similar to the M48 Patton, the M60 featured a larger hull, improved armor protection, and a powerful British-designed 105mm M68 rifled gun that significantly increased its firepower against enemy tanks. Powered by a reliable diesel engine, the M60 offered greater operational range and fuel efficiency than its gasoline-powered predecessors. It quickly became the backbone of U.S. armored forces throughout the 1960s and 1970s and served extensively with NATO allies around the world. Although U.S. Army M60s did not see combat in Vietnam, they later fought during Operation Desert Storm with the U.S. Marine Corps and continued serving with allied nations well into the 21st century. The early M60 as displayed here established the foundation for the highly successful M60A1 and A3 variants that followed along with the limited use A2 variant.#m60 #mainbattletank #tanks #tanklife #visitma ... See MoreSee Less
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Another successful day at AirVenture in the books! We were honored to fly the PBY-5A in the opening flight for this evenings night show. Thank you to everyone who came out to see us today! The PBY will be on display all week, so if you haven't had a chance to see it, come on down!#AmericanHeritageMuseum #WWIIHistory #PBY #eaa #osh ... See MoreSee Less
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M24 Chaffee Light World War II Tank Driving Program at the American Heritage Museum

Drive the Famous Light Tank That Spanned Two Wars

The American Heritage Museum is proud to offer exciting tank driving experiences in the Spring, Summer, and Fall aboard the M24 Chaffee light tank used in World War II and the Korean War. The M24 Chaffee is a fast and maneuverable tank that replaced the M5 Stuart light tank during WWII and brought the harder hitting 75mm M6 cannon to the battlefield.

Tank driving programs on the M24 Chaffee are a donation of $995.00 per driving participant aboard the tank for a one hour training experience that includes ground instruction, startup, driving instruction with our instructor, and YOU drive the M24 Chaffee for 20 minutes on our tank driving grounds at the American Heritage Museum. If you would like to add an additional rider in the turret during your driving experience, please add a $195 donation to your booking.

Watch a Video on the M24 Driving Experience


Book Your M24 Chaffee Tank Driving Experience Today!

Tank driving experiences on the M24 Chaffee are being offered in the mornings of select weekends through the season. Please click the button below for schedules and online booking. We can also accommodate custom tank driving slots during weekdays when available – call us at 978-562-9182 to inquire about weekday driving reservations.

For safety, all driving participants should be 16 years of age or older and be at least 5′ 2″ tall and have good physical strength to drive. Any additional riders in the turret must be at least 5′ tall to ride. Children under the age of 14 should be accompanied by an adult in the turret if they meet the height requirement. 


Gift Certificates Available

Looking to give a tank driving experience as a gift? We have presentation gift certificates available for gift giving to the tank enthusiast in your family! Tank Driving Gift Certificates are open ended and allow the recipient to schedule their own driving experience at their convenience. Click here to learn more about and purchase an M24 Chaffee Tank Driving Experience Gift Certificate at this link.

History of the M24 Chaffee

Seeking to replace the aging M3 and M5 Stuart series of light tanks, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department and Cadillac joined forces to create a new light tank. The new T24 pilot vehicle was delivered in October 1943 and full scale production began in 1944 as the Light Tank, M24. The Chaffee retained the M5 Stuart’s twin Cadillac V-8 powertrain, but came armed with a lightened 75mm Cannon adapted from a version used on B-25 Mitchell bombers, replacing the under whelming 37mm used on the Stuart. The Chaffee was speedy and nimble. The M24 saw use in WWII, but found a calling in the cold, mountainous environment of Korea, where it fought as a part of reconnaissance units alongside “Easy Eight” Shermans, M26 Pershings and M46 Pattons. Long after the United States replaced the M24 with newer models such as the M41 Walker-Bulldog, other countries such as Israel and France used the Chaffee well into the 1950s.

SPECIFICATIONS

Armament: 75mm M6 Cannon, one .50 cal. MG and 2x .30 cal. MGs.
Crew: 5, Commander, Gunner, Driver, Loader, Co-Driver
Engine: Cadillac Series 44T24, 220 horsepower.
Range: 100 miles

 

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NO GENERAL ADMISSION SATURDAY AND SUNDAY - Event Tickets for America's Tank Demo Weekend Only

If you are visiting this weekend, Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, please purchase tickets for America's Tank Demo Weekend at the link below from 9am to 5pm daily. All museum buildings, including our annex buildings, are included in one ticket. There is no General Admission to just the American Heritage Museum this weekend.