We have always felt that an immersive experience in history brings you to a closer sense of appreciation and excitement in wanting to learn more. Aside from flying in a WWII aircraft, there is nothing quite like driving a real tank. The American Heritage Museum is offering a unique tank driving instruction program in the M4A3 Sherman medium tank and M24 Chaffee light tank.
Being a crew member or driving a tank is not particularly comfortable. These metal beasts are all business, designed to go over most obstacles with ease and destroy anything in its path. Once in a tank, it is clearly evident you are driving a machine with great power! Learning to drive a M4 Sherman and M24 Chaffee is an experience you will never forget!
The tank experience programs have been developed by our veterans and museum docents who were tank instructors in the Army. The quality of instruction comes straight from the book. Instructors will cover the history and theaters of operation, basic procedures, potential malfunctions, and driving skills. The training guidelines lay out the tasks into stepped achievements to the point that you are driving either the M4 Sherman or M24 Chaffee through an obstacle course featuring turns, climbs and descents.
Learn about each tank driving program and schedules by clicking here!
You may also call us to book at 978-562-9182 M-F from 9am to 5pm (ET).
The Tank Driving Experience is conducted by one instructor and trainee. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tanks are cleaned and disinfected before each session and every precaution is taken to assure the health and safety of everyone.
All tank driving experiences are considered tax-deductible contributions and 100% of the donations for the experience goes into the upkeep and restoration of the vehicles and growth of the programs at the American Heritage Museum. Your support is essential and there is no better way to enjoy your support than participating in this unique, one-of-a-kind program.
Tank Driving Experience Pricing
All experiences are a tax-deductible donation:
M24 Chaffee Driving Program: $995
M4A3 Sherman Driving Program: $1495
*Manual transmission experience preferred, but not required.
M24 Chaffee Light Tank: The Cadillac on the Shores of the Rhine
Armament: 75mm M6 Cannon, 1x .50 cal. MG and 2x .30 cal. MGs
Crew: 5, Commander, Gunner, Driver, Loader, Co-Driver
Engine: 2x Cadillac Series 44T24, 220 horsepower each.
Range: 100 miles
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.
M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank: The Allies Workhorse
The World’s Only Full Dual Control M4 Sherman Tank!
Armament: 75mm M3 Cannon, 1x .50 cal. MG and 2x .30 cal. MGs
Crew: 5, Commander, Gunner, Driver, Loader, Co-Driver
Engine: 450 Horsepower Ford GAA, 1,100 cubic inch V-8
Range: 130 miles
One of the most produced tanks of WWII, the M4 Sherman saw its debut storming across the hot sands of North Africa in 1942, and went on to see combat in every theater. M4s could be seen everywhere, from the island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific to the dangerous hedgerows of Normandy, even fighting in the steppes of the Eastern Front. Packing a 75mm main cannon, the M4 was a strong and reliable tank on the battlefield. Through progressive upgrades, the M4 remained the definitive Allied tank throughout the Second World War and into Korea. Loved by crews for its ease of use and maintenance, the M4 Sherman remains a symbol of the Liberation of Europe and a testament to the bravery of the crews that fought in them.
AHM’s M4 Sherman – The Celebrity Tank – Transformed into the world’s only full dual control Sherman.
Promotional poster of the 1984 movie TANK starring James Garner. Click on image to see trailer.
The American Heritage Museum’s Sherman played a star roll! Back in 1984, Universal Pictures produced the movie “Tank” starring our Sherman and some well-known (and some not so well-known) actors such as James Garner, Shirley Jones, James Cromwell, G.D. Spradlin, Thomas Howell and Jenilee Harrison.
Plot: US Army Command Sergeant Major Zack Carey (played by Garner) is about to retire from the military after taking his last post in rural Clemmons County, Georgia. Despite being offered the possibility of becoming Sergeant Major of the Army, he insists he just wishes to finish his tour and retire in peace to spend time with his family. Zack owns a vintage Sherman tank from World War II that he has restored with his younger son’s help, and he drives it for parades and other public events. While visiting an off-base bar, he meets a young woman named Sarah (Jenilee Harrison). During their conversation, the local deputy sheriff, Euclid Baker (James Cromwell) sees them together, insulting her and slapping her in the process. Carey quickly intervenes, subduing the deputy……
The evil sheriff unjustly locks up Zack’s son. It is then up to Zack to ‘level’ the playing field by driving the Sherman tank through the jail and rescuing all from such retched injustice.
The American Heritage Museum’s tank restoration crew has recently completely restored the M4 Sherman with a full set of dual controls! This is the only M4 Sherman in the world to feature this configuration. The drive mechanisms, controls and gauges are the same on the right as they are on the left. This Sherman is immaculate inside and out!
