Rod's WarBirds
Aberdeen Proving Ground Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen, Maryland August 2001 & June 2002
I had the opportunity to install some test equipment at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in August. During the installation
I was able to get some photographs of a few of the vehicles in the Ordnance Museum that is just outside the base. Cameras
are not allowed in the Test Center itself (where all the really cool stuff happens), but the Museum does have over a hundred
guns and probably a hundred armoured vehicles. I have tried to remember most of the vehicles that I photographed; however, I
am not sure that I have correctly identified all of the vehicles. This is particularly true for some of the WWII German vehicles.
The photos show a few WWI tanks, quite a few WWII tanks, and of course the winner of the Gulf War - The M1A1 Abrams.
Again in June of 2002, I was able to return and get a LOT more photos.
Please e-mail me if you can help me identify some of the vehicles that I do not know.
Japanese WWII Light Tank
This is the same model of tank that I photographed at the Shirahama Zero Park in Japan. It is quite
small and is probably only about 1/2 the size of a typical German tank. Mikael Olrog identifies this tank as a Type 95 HA-GO w/ 37mm Gun.
Japanese Heavy Tank
I was surprised to see a heavier tank that was still quite small by European standards; however, it had a much larger gun than the light tank.
Mikael Olrog identifies this tank as a Type 97 CHI-HA w/ 57mm Gun.
Japanese Self-Propelled Gun
I did not even know that the Japanese had such a vehicle. The gun is not very large; I think it is 75mm. Mikael Olrog thinks that chassis is same as Type 97 CHI-HA.
British WWI Tank
This is the tank everyone has seen in photographs of WWI tanks. Mikael Olrog identifies as Mark V. BUT, Robert Robinson identifies it as a Mark IV.
British WWI Tank
Mark A Whippet Medium Tank. ID courtesy of Paul Mc Donald, Perth, West Aust.
British WWII Churchill Tank
This type of tank saw action in North Africa against the Afrika Korps.
French WWII Tank
This tank has been identified as an American tank sold to the French; it has been identified as a M3 General Grant by
Mikael Olrog and Stefan Wollbold. Al Sumrall has identified this tank as the American M3 Grant w/ a 75mm side gun and 37mm turret gun.
The M3 Grant is supposed to have served w/ distinction in North Africa and Burma.
German WWII Gun Carrier
This is the smallest German vehicle in the museum. Just 2 machine guns in the turret. This has been identified as a Panzerkampwagen I by Al Sumrall.
German WWII Tanks
The signs were not very legible for these 4 tanks. All I know is that they all were called Panzers, but there is quite a difference between
them. I could use some help in identifying these vehicles. Mikael Olrog identifies these vehicles as:
#1: Waffenträger IeFH 18/1 auf GW 1V Weapons Carrier, 105mm gun (Grasshopper) 1943 (w/ Help from Dave McDonald).
#2: Jag IV, 75mm gun 1943
#3: JagdPanther V, 88mm gun 1944
#4: JagdPanzer 38(t) (HETZER-BAITER), 75mm gun 1944
#5: PzKpfor. V Ausf. A Panther, 75mm gun, 50.2 tons
#6: PzKpfor. V Ausf. G Panther, 75mm gun 1944
#7: Pz. Kpfw. IVF2 (the first Pz. Kpfw. IV with a long gun).
#8: Pz. Kpfw. H or J Model.
German WWII Tiger Tank
This tank is REALLY, REALLY BIG! It is the LARGEST in the museum. There is no doubt that you can believe the reaction of Allied troops encountering these behemoths. The M1A1 Abrams is
only about 1/2 the size of this tank. Mikael Olrog identifies this tank as a Jagdtiger V or VI. Also, he says that the vehicle in front of the Jagdtiger in the center photograph is a Jagdpanther V.
The plaque at the museum identifies this vehicle as "P2 Tiger Tank, 128mm gun, 80 tons".
German WWII Self-Propelled Guns
I did not take any notes about these self-propelled guns. I could use some help in identifying these vehicles. The 4th vehicle
is unusual because it was the only German vehicle with a national symbol on it. Mikael Olrog identifies these vehicles as:
#1: Pak 43/1 (Rhinocerous) 88mm gun 1942
#2: JagdPanzer 38(t) (MARDER III), 75mm gun 1943
#3: Stu H42, 105mm gun 1943
#4: Panzerjäger IV "Nashorn" antitank gun with an 88mm gun.
#5: Sturmpanzer IV "Brummbär".
#6: FH 18/40 auf Geschützwagen 38H (f) with a 15 cm haubits.
#7: Post-WWII Jagdpanther II
German WWII 88mm Gun
This is the famous 88. There are 2 versions in the museum. A 2 wheel and a 4 wheel carriage for the guns. Ordnance experts here at the Test Center say
that this gun is still one of the best ever made. Its versatility was unprecedented, being used for Anti-Aircraft and Anti-Tank actions. Note that the tires
are solid rubber and not inflatable type.
German Railroad Gun
Courtesy of Brett, Brooklyn, NY
The German Railroad gun is a K5(E). This is the finest railroad gun ever made. several where made
and were the back bone of German railroad artillery. This particular gun was captured by US forces
during the allied invasion of Anzio Italy. The German nicknamed this particular gun Leopold, and
the Americans called it Anzio Annie. One American G.I. claimed the gun was so accurate the Germans
seemed to be able to hit a jeep in the city if they so liked. The gun's caliber is 28cm (11.02in)
and has a range of 38.64 miles with standard munitions, 53.7 miles with a rocket boosted shell
and 93.8 miles with the Peenemunde arrow shell (which requires the barrel to be out to 12.2in
smoothbore). This is one of 2 K5's in existence the other being at Cap Gris Nes France.
They are the only WW2 rail way guns to survive the today.
Russian KC-1C Tank
76.2mm gun, 52 tons 1939.
Russian WWII T-34/76 Tank
Stefan Wollbold thinks that these possibly are Russian T-34/76 B Tanks
(T34/76 means 76,2mm Main Gun ) & Mikael Olrog agrees.
Russian WWII T-34/85 Tank
These 2 tanks are the famed T-34 of the Eastern Front. Stefan Wollbold identifies these as T-34/85 I or IIs & Mikael Olrog agrees.
Russian IS-3 Stalin Tank
Mikael Olrog says this is a IS-3 and actually served in 1945 before the end of the war
and set the standard for awhile in tanks.
Russian PT-76 Model 2 Tank
76.2mm gun, 14 tons 1960.
Russian T-55 Tank
100mm gun, 39.6 tons 1961.
Russian T-62 Tank
This is a Post-WWII tank from the 60s.
Russian T-72 Tank
This tank has been identified by several people to be a T-72.
Russian SU-100 Tank Destroyer
100mm gun, 1944 (Stefan Wollbold identifies this vehicle as a SU-100).
Russian SU-76 Self-Propelled Gun
76.2mm gun, 12 tons.
M-1974 Russian Self-Propelled Howitzer
A 122mm M-1974 Self Propelled Howitzer mounted on a modified PT-76 chassis. The 122mm weapon is a modification of the Russian
D-30 towed field howitzer with an approx range of 15.3 Km. Entered Soviet service mid 70's. ID courtesy of Paul Mc Donald, Perth, West Aust.
T-92 Self-Propelled Gun
Costas Tsaganas identifies this as the T-92 light tank prototype with a 76 mm gun.
U.S. 16 Inch Army Coastal Defense Gun
Courtesy of Brett, Brooklyn, NY
The 16.in gun is a US army M1919 coast gun. Because of the 1921 naval treaty many nations had to
stop construction of their battleships. The US Navy had extra 16.in guns from their cancelled
Lexington class basttlecruisers, and so were given to the Army. The Army had no money for the
mounting so they where not all installed until 1939 and finally were all scrapped in the late 40's.
The guns where placed at the approaches of Pearl Harbor, San Francisco and New York (thre is
supposed to be a concrete emplacement for the NY gun near my house). During the war more were
set up at Boston, San Diego and New Orleans. I don't how many where built or where they were
all located. This one at Aberdeen is the last one.
U.S. Mobile Atomic Cannon
This gun is capable of firing a shell with a tactical nuclear weapon warhead.
U.S. Bradley APC
The Bradley is current inventory for infantry transport.
U.S. M1A Abrams
72 Tons of destruction. A 150 mm smooth bore gun with incredible range and accuracty. Note that this vehicle has the
been used recently by the tracks in the grass next to its parking pad. You have to park these vehicles on pads or else
they sink. Definitely a vehicle for traffic jams.
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