New rubber on the M4 Sherman road wheels! Getting the tank ready for driving instruction and WWII Tank Demo Weekend - May 27th & 28th www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/tank-demonstration-weekend-may-2023/
4 hours ago ·
March 21st - Rosie the Riveter Day! Read this interesting article on women in the workforce from WWII onward: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2023/03/rosie-the-riveter-day-march-21st/
6 days ago ·
This Saturday is M1 Abrams day! Join us at the American Heritage Museum for a in-depth talk about America's main heavy tank with Mike Manougian, a docent at the American Heritage Museum. He has recent experience in the US Army and as an Abrams tank company commander. He will discuss the history of the Abrams tank, its capabilities, tactical employment, and lessons learned from recent wars. Mike will also talk about his own experience as Commander of a tank company. 2 PM to 3:30 PM. No reservations needed. See: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/ahm-presentation-history-of-the-abrams-tank/
1 month ago ·
Mark your calendars! This Saturday, February 25th, 2 PM to 3:30 PM, we will host a special presentation on the M1A1 Abrams tank with Mike Manougian, Abrams tanks Company Commander. Mike will discuss the history of the Abrams tank, its capabilities, tactical employment, and lessons learned from recent wars. He will also talk about his own experience as Commander of a tank company. No reservations needed. More information see: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/ahm-presentation-history-of-the-abrams-tank/
1 month ago ·
Tomorrow, Friday, February 17th, from 2 PM to 3 PM, we will have author John Magnarelli talk about his book "11B10 - Memories of a Light Weapons Infantryman in Vietnam." Excellent opportunity to hear about Mr. Magnarelli's experiences as a soldier in the Vietnam War and see the new Hanoi Hilton exhibit. See: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-11b10-memories-of-a-light-weapons-infantryman...
1 month ago ·
Take a Ride Aboard the Famous Light Tank That Spanned Two Wars
The American Heritage Museum is proud to offer tank ride opportunities 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 rides on the M24 Chaffee are a donation of $595.00 for three (3) persons aboard the tank. One seat is in the hull gunner position and two standing positions are in the turret. The ride experience is 10 minutes on the tank driving grounds at the American Heritage Museum.
Ride experiences are being offered in the afternoons of select weekends. Please click the button below for schedules and online booking. Please feel free to call us at 978-562-9182 with any questions.
For safety, all participants must be at least 5′ tall to ride. Children under the age of 14 should be accompanied by an adult on rides if they meet the height requirement.
Gift Certificates Available
Looking to give a tank ride as a gift? We have presentation gift certificates available for gift giving to the tank enthusiast in your family! Tank Ride Gift Certificates are open ended and allow the recipient to schedule their own ride experience. Click here to learn more about and purchase an M24 Tank Ride Gift Certificate at this link.
Don’t Just Ride – DRIVE the M24 Chaffee!
Feel like doing something even more exciting? Learn to DRIVE the M24 Chaffee as part of our Tank Driving Experience Program, a one hour training and driving experience that allows you to take the controls for 20 minutes on our tank track! – Click Here to Learn more!
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
