Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - a close up of something in the museum or our collection for you to guess what it is in the comments!![]()
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What is it?! We are looking for what it might be part of within the museum and, for more of a challenge, what the exact part is and what it does! ![]()
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Thanks to everyone who played last week… the answer for August 28 was a ballistic computing cam in the Kommandogarat 40 fire control computer… see the previous post for the full details!![]()
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Good luck on this week’s challenge! ![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma
The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question of August 28th is one of the ballistic cams used in the German Kommandogerät 40 that is part of the anti-aircraft battery exhibit in the Defense of the Reich gallery. The Kommandogerät (“command device”) is a fire control computer that used a combination of optics and mechanical computing to develop a firing solution that would be relayed to the anti-aircraft gun crews, like the 8.8 cm Flak 36 German 88 mm anti-aircraft cannon we have displayed. What is pictured is a solid computing cam that, when combined with precision gears connected to rollers on follower arms, could solve multivariate calculus problems in real-time to provide accurate fire to track bomber formations and time shells to detonate at precise altitudes. There are a number of these cams within the Kommandogerät 40 and combined they made a powerful mechanical analog computer that made Flak the most dangerous defensive weapon against daylight precision bombing. ![]()
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Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” later today! ![]()
#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday
Join us for a great 5K run around the American Heritage Museum grounds this Saturday, September 7th in support of the Travis Manion Foundation. We invite you to run, walk, or ruck to honor our nation’s first responders who selflessly sacrificed on September 11th and service members who have served in the wars since. Join us to raise awareness and honor the fallen. Participants get a 50% admission discount to the American Heritage Museum. For more information and to register see: www.travismanion.org/events/911-heroes-run/2024-bostonnew-england-ma/
The American Heritage Museum not only honors those who served in the service of the United States, but we also honor those who served with our allies during all wars and conflicts. Because of this, we’d like to take a moment in honor of Polish Aviation Day on August 28th, to highlight the story of Stefania Wojtulanis-Karpińska, a female pilot of the Polish Air Force at the outbreak of WWII. After the Soviet invasion of Poland in September 1939, she evacuated to Romania with the Polish Air Force and made her way to France where she once again had to flee in 1940 as France fell. She made her way to England and was assigned to the Polish Air Force Headquarters in London until later in 1940. In January 1941, she and Anna Leska became the first two Polish women pilots to join the British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), which delivered aircraft to operational units from factories and ferry aircraft for maintenance. This role, very similar to that assigned to female WASP pilots in America, required pilots to learn and fly a wide variety of aircraft types in all sorts of weather and mecahnical conditions.![]()
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As it turns out, the American Heritage Museum’s Supermarine Spitfire IX, BR601 was one of the aircraft that Wojtulanis-Karpińska flew in her career with the ATA. On July 9, 1942, she ferried BR601 from Prestwick, Scotland to its first operational unit, 64 Squadron at Hornchurch, Essex, stopping in three places in poor weather before arriving on July 11th. The photo in this post is her in BR601 and her logbook entries of those flights!![]()
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74 years later, BR601 would fly once again after a full restoration by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar and arrive shortly after in the United States to join the collection of the Collings Foundation. Though not currently on display at the American Heritage Museum, Spitfire BR601 is maintained in flying condition and is stored off site to fly at events. The next event it will be taking part in will be Green Mountain Aviation Field Days in Burlington, VT on September 14-15, 2024. Eventually, when our expansion is built, BR601 will be displayed at the AHM.![]()
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#polishaviation #wwii #spitfire #supermarinespitfire #worldwarii #femaleaviator
Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - a close up of something in the museum or our collection for you to guess what it is in the comments!![]()
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This one might be a little more challenging! What is it?! We are looking for what it might be part of inside the museum and what exactly it might be for even more challenge!![]()
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Thanks to everyone who played last week… the answer for August 21 was the crew compartment of the Daimler Mk.I Dingo scout car in the Pacific War Gallery. The Dingo was used in Burma by the 16th Light Calvary of the British Indian Army armored car regiment.![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma
American Heritage Museum Lifetime Membership
Experience the heroic stories and courageous acts of the brave men and women who have served our country with our Lifetime Membership Program for the American Heritage Museum!
Our Lifetime Membership Program is the perfect way to honor those who have served and gain a deeper understanding of military history – both in America and throughout the world. With unlimited access for you and your family to our extensive collection of artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the triumphs and sacrifices of those who have served from the Revolutionary War through today.
As a lifetime member, you’ll have access to exclusive events, such as private tours of our collections, special lectures by historians and authors, and behind-the-scenes looks at our latest exhibits. You’ll also receive VIP treatment, with priority access to tickets, and invitations to member-only events.
But that’s not all – our lifetime membership also comes with perks like discounted tank driving or ride experiences and discounts on museum merchandise. Also included are two (2) experience certificates for a WWII Tank Ride Experience on either the M24 Chaffee, M4 Sherman, or M36 Jackson.
By joining our lifetime membership program, you’ll become a part of a community of living history enthusiasts who share your love for the past and a desire to learn and explore. Whether you’re a veteran, a history buff, or just someone who wants to honor those who have served, our lifetime membership program is the perfect way to support the preservation and celebration of our American heritage!
Join us today! Click on this link to enroll online or call us at 978-562-9182 and speak with Ryan Keough, Director of Development (rkeough@collingsfoundation.org).
Summary of Lifetime Membership Benefits
Unlimited Free General Admission to Lifetime Member and Family/Guests
Up to six (6) persons per visit – but more can be requested.
Free Admission to all Summer Special Event Weekends including Battle for the Airfield WWII Re-Enactment for Lifetime Member and Family/Guests – Up to six (6) persons.
Certificate for Two (2) Complimentary Tank Ride Experiences and 10% discount on all future Tank/Armor experiences (rides/drives).
Special Access to Advanced Member exclusive events and experiences such as “inside the hatch” tank tours, cockpit tours, and VIP tours.
Recognition on the American Heritage Museum Donor Wall (Coming Summer 2024).
Recognition in the American Heritage Museum Annual Magazine.
All benefits of membership including member cards, subscription to all museum publications, and 10% discount at the AHM Gift Shop.
American Heritage Museum Lifetime Members
| Anonymous Donors Mr. Robert A. Bartlett Mr. John W. Bassick Mr. Robert and Mrs. Janet Baylis Mr. Dana M. Beach Mr. Curtis D. Burton Carlson Family Trust Mr. Kevin Chapman Mr. Frank Cooke Mr. Roy Cotta Mr. Billy Crowe Mr. Steve J. Demeo Mr. Charles Deuser Mr. John L. DiVincenzo Mr. Ryan Donovan Mr. Daniel M. Ervin Ms. Kristin Everett Mr. Steven Fitzsimmons Mr. Michael Forte Mr. Michael Gentuso Mr. Robert D. Gilligan Mr. Stephen Gladstone Ms. Julianne Glowacki Mr. Edward J. Hamer Mr. Rod A. Hendrick Mr. Scott A. Hindley Mr. Stephen B. Jeffries Mr. Mark T. Kacprowicz Mr. Glenn D. King Mr. Christopher Knorr Mr. Rich Magnotti Mr. Paul Messina |
Mr. Kenneth J. Mooney Mr. Steven R. Murray Mr. Mark Muto Mr. William Neal Northeast Industrial Technologies, Inc. Mr. Joe and Mrs. Lori Osentoski Mr. Wally Owens Mr. Earle M. Palmer Mr. John F. Penders Mr. Paul Petry Mr. Larry Polhill Mr. Joseph Reinsch Lt. Gen. L. Scott and Dr. Nancy Rice Mr. Sean Rogers Mr. Robert C. Rooke Dr. Alberto Savoretti Mr. William Shanley Mr. Ed and Mrs. Dorrinda Shea Ms. Venita Shirley Mr. John S. Smith Mr. Richard C. Smith Mr. Robert G. Smith Mr. Vernon T. Squires Mr. Robert E. Stack Ms. Elizabeth Steese Mr. Chuck Thornburg Toeniskoetter Family Foundation Mr. Pierre Trepagnier Mr. Don Venterosa Mr. Daniel C. Verdier Mr. Peter J. White Mr. Dan Wrightington |
