 |
WOW what an event
4th Annual
Tank Museum Military Extravaganza
had over 1600 visitors
If you missed this one, mark your calendar now for next years Extravaganza.
It will be a real BLAST! |
|
The Battlefield had over 25 1/16th scale Radio Control tanks from all over the country doing battle on the largest and
only indoor RC battlefield in the world.
Thanks go out to the following groups that organized this part of the event. AGE ( Armor Group East),
East PAC (East Piedmont Armor Club),
& HEAT. You Tankers are the best! |
 |
 |
The highlight of the day was the flame thrower demonstration. This weapon puts out intense heat and it always
amazes me to see the crowd all step back several paces due to the heat that the flame thrower puts out.
Thanks go to Charlie Hobson
for making the flame thrower demo possible.
Marshmellows any one! |
| Along with the RC Battles there was the Museum's Military model show where some of the countries
best military modelers competed for trophies. Visitors learned the history behind these small scale monsters,
and visited with the model builders. |
 |
This years trophies went to:
Nathaniel Denny - M103 APC - 8 yrs old
Michael Phillips - Stalingrad - diorama
Mark Dowdy - AV8B Harrier II Plus
Travis Denny - M12 Motor Gun
John Cunningham - The Destruction of Europe 1939-45 - diorama
Joe Koenig - M4A1 Sherman
Danny Prejoles - M2A2 Bradley
& 2 Honorable mentions went to:
Anthony Johnson - Soldier of the Future
Michael Phillips - Kharkov - diorama
These folks put in lots of time and effort and it showed - the judges had a very hard time deciding of the
30 models entered who would
go home with a trophy. |
 |
Reenactors, Reenactors, Reenactors!
The Museum was home for the weekend to many reenactors. Here is a group shot of just a few of them. Many camped out
over night and were up bright and early the next morning to get ready for their maneuvers of the day.Every where you turned there
were soldiers in uniform from the American Revolutionary War, to World War II G.I.'s and German troops. These guys were alot of fun
and we are still finding hob nails left behind. |
|
Here is the picture of the winner of the best Military Dress contest. His clothing, stance and overall look was right out
of the history book, and he was a German tanker to boot! |
 |
 |
Militaria dealers were on hand at the Militaria show where visitors got the opportunity to search for that medal,
award or piece of military memorabilia to add to your collection or replace one that you have lost. |
|
The wargamers had some 10 tables with many different scales and
different time periods gaming all day long. Many of the museum visitors tried their hand at this fascinating game. |
|
Along with the wargaming tables, there was also a group with Radio Control 1/24th scale tanks. These
tanks are a bit smaller then the ones that run on the battlefield, but they are so fun to watch. This group
also does Star Trek impressions. What fun it was to see USS federation of planets and others wondering about the museum.
|
|
The Museum's raffle table did a bang
up job of selling raffle tickets with over 36 raffle items ranging from flag kites, museum t-shirts, models, up to a M4 Sherman
Radio Control Tank with radio and battle unit. Thanks go out to Tamiya USA for sending some wonderful raffle items to help
support the museum. Also thanks go out to Barbara and Laraine who sold the raffle tickets. |
 |
 |
Talk to the Tanker
was another big hit this year. Here is Lt. Colonel James Clark from Lisbon, NH that came to the extravaganza to tell visitors
about his experienced in the M60 tank. Thanks go out to all the Talk to the Tankers, Artilleryman, Bicyclist, and Ordnance
veterans that were on hand for the event. To these men we salute you for your service
to this country and for also taking the time to be part of the event.
Click on Talk to a Tanker to see how you can participate.
|
|
The big event of the day,
everyone loves, is the Tank crushing a car demo.
The museum staff used an M60 Patton Tank this year to do our crushing and was able to crush 4 cars. Here is some
pictures of the M60 in action.
You can get a preview
of what the car looks like by clicking here Leftovers |
|
New to this years event was Buster and his handle Mr. Eanes. This amazing dog was put thru his paces with several
demonstrations of how he and his handle work as a team to sniff out bombs. Buster found the target everytime. |
 |
 |
The museum would like to thank
many of the community organizations for their participation in the event. The Danville Science Center was on
hand with a wonderful exhibit teaching the museum visitor about the physics of the bullet. The Pittsylvania County
Sheriff's department 's DARE program had literature and talked to the visitor about smoking, drugs, and drinking.
The Danville welcome center had a booth with literature about the many wonderful things to do and see in the area, and many
thanks go out to the local businesses that helped spread the word about the event. |
| The Tank Museum concession stand did a bang up job in sales of mouth watering hot dogs, chicken salad and BBQ
Over 600 hot dogs, 133 pretzels, 658 sodas, 5 pots of coffee, 139 BBQ sandwiches were sold! |
Host Hotel for this event as usual was great to the museum visitors
and we hope to have them on board for next years event
When ever you come to Danville make sure you check out the
Innkeeper North
1030 Piney Forest Road
Danville - 434-836-1700
Event code: Tank Museum
Free Deluxe continental breaksfast and dinner restaurant
|
TANKS A LOT !!!!!!! to all those who helped make this event
a major success
|
Attention modelers, vendors. battlers or reenactors who wish to participate, just click on the application that applies,
filled out the form and sent it in to guarantee your spot in this event. |
If further information is required, do not hesitate to contact the museum by
E-MAIL
|
