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3-Inch Howitzer Repaint
Eagle Scout Mathew Toich has spent a great deal of time sanding, prepping and repainting the museum’s 3-inch antitank gun. Being one of the museum’s tank destroyer items, this gun’s restoration was much appreciated. The mighty 3-inch was the largest American antitank gun for most of the war, powerful enough to blunt any German armored advance. Note: We still need to repaint our 57 and 37mm antitank guns, which are sporting aging paint over a decade old. Thanks Matthew!

Ferret Repaint
The museum’s Ferret armored car, brought to running condition last year by Ken Lelacheur, has been repainted to authentic British armored vehicle colors. The vehicle was also used at this year’s “Battle for Tolland” tactical wargame, which involved 200 airsoft gun toting wargamers fighting in one huge simulation.

.30 Display
Our museum has a new display open to the public. The case features back lit picture panels of arms designer John Browning’s many inventions and a real WW2 era .30 caliber machinegun that has been cutaway to show the internal workings. This display was refurbished from a case that was discarded by the Aberdeen Ordinance Museum. It is now fully modernized and restored to serve as another great addition. Thanks to our volunteers, this display once again serves to educate and enlighten the public.

Half-Track Restoration
The museums M2 half-track had been in a non-running state of decay ever since its acquisition in the mid 1980s. This very special vehicle is an early example with many original and rare parts that are usually missing off half-tracks.
Since then, numerous attempts at repair and restoration have ended with little effect. Until now! Thanks to the dedication and philanthropy of Director Ken Lelachear, the M2 half-track now rolls again. Many long time Museum alumni were shocked to see the M2 back from the dead and driving on its own power in this year’s Memorial day parade. The half-track has now been named “Miss Bay State” after Ken’s personal truck, which he drove in his youth. This name originated from his experiences with a truck that always broke down whenever it had to leave Massachusetts for a delivery. Furthermore, President John Valluzo supplied wonderful hand painted nose art. It is another win for the museum! A running driving M2 half-track!