125 Park Avenue

Danbury, CT 06810

Phone: 203-790-9277

Fax: 203-790-0420

Web: www.usmilitarymuseum.org

Issue # 3 "ON TRACK" NEWSLETTER July, 2006

5/29/06 Danbury Memorial Day Parade

No less than 10 of the Museum's vehicles rolled out for this year’s Danbury parade! The event was a total success, with dozens of volunteers marching and driving. Many of the new vehicles such as the M247 mule, Saracen APC, Ferret scout car, and m751 command truck participated. Following the parade was a special, one day only, Open Turret Day.

The same weekend, two museum vehicles, (Ferret and Mule) attended the North Haven Memorial day parade for a second year in a row. The Sheridan attended in 2005, and was such a hit, North Haven asked us to send some vehicles for 2006. When town's and cities are willing to cover our costs, we can provide vehicles for parades. It's deeply rewarding to participate in honoring our nation and its veterans. We love it!

NEW ACQUISITIONS ABOUND!

M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer! The search for this vehicle began with the founding of the museum 21 years ago. Now our goal to obtain an M36 Jackson tank destroyer has been for filled. After World War Two, Jackson Tank Destroyers like ours were sold to various European countries, some fought in the Korean war, in the United Nations Forces, others went to French indo china and battled the Viet Mihn. Later many of these tank destroyers were sold to the Former Yugoslavia, where they were uniquely useful in the mountainous wooded terrain . Here they remained until the passage of time brought them to collectors market (Note: Our M18 Hellcat Tank destroyer also came from Yugoslavia). Our Jackson has some post war modifications, including the armored turret roof and protected head lights. Work is now underway to convert the m36 back to its WWII configuration. We plan to make the M36 an exact replica of Ken Lelecheur's vehicle in which he spent much of is time while fighting the Nazis.

Ferret British Scout Car

The "Ferret" is one of the smallest armored vehicles still in use today. Used by the British army during the "Troubles", Ferrets patrolled the streets of Northern Ireland much like police cars here in the USA. The Ferret will makes the perfect lead vehicle for our parades!

Clark Aircraft Tug

Made by the Clark firm in Battle Creek MI, during the 1940s. This tractor pulled mighty B24 and B17 bombers along with huge trailers full of bombs. It was a critically important logistical vehicle in the air war of ww2. This acquisition also gives the museum a chance to participate in air shows, where we were previously somewhat out of place.

M274 Mechanical Mule

The Mule is probably the single most recognizable wheeled vehicle from the Vietnam conflict. The museum’s acquisition came in as a donation. The vehicle which stands today as a symbol of the Vietnam conflict, is in mint condition and totally complete. As the museum is currently working to include more emphasis on the Vietnam conflicts, the Mule could not have come at a better time!

Renault UE (Universal Carrier)

Renault UE perhaps the only example in the united states, the Renault UE is a combat tractor, used to tow anti tank guns around the battlefield. The French army used the UE in the Brief 1940 battle with Germany. Afterwards the Germans made extensive use of the vehicle, creating no less than 14 modified variants. In Normandy, UEs fell into Allied hands, and were a common site in use with US Paratroopers.

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