The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from April 9th is the oar mounted to the side of our German Type 166 Schwimmwagen! The Schwimmwagen is an amphibious car designed for crossing bodies of water, like ponds and rivers! The downside to this is if you break down, you can't just pull over... Thus the oar! Have you ever broken down on the water?![]()
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Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, April 16th at 10:00 am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday
Coming up on Thursday, May 15th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm is our new History After Hours program. Our speaker for May is Jim Busha, author of "Bazooka Charlie: The Unbelievable Story of Major Charles Carpenter and Rosie the Rocketer". Busha will be speaking about how Carpenter transformed an un-armed observation airplane into one of the most effective tank-killers of WWII - a real "David vs. Goliath" story. The actual aircraft used by Carpenter will be on display as well! $20 non-members, free for AHM members with promo code (email or message for details).
History After Hours: May 15, 2025 - Maj. Charles Carpenter & "Rosie the Rocketer" with Jim Busha
www.americanheritagemuseum.org
Learn the amazing story of Maj. Charles Carpenter and his innovative strategy to take an L-4 Grasshopper observation aircraft and make it into a tank killer. A true "David & Goliath" story from World ...
Don't miss the special Speaker Series presentation by author Andrew Lawler tomorrow, Saturday, April 12th, 1pm to 2:30pm, here at the American Heritage Museum. He will discuss his book 'A Perfect Frenzy' which offers a striking new perspective on the American Revolution that reorients our understanding of its causes, highlights the radically different motivations between patriots in the North and South, and reveals the seeds of the nation’s racial divide. More information see: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-a-perfect-frenzy-by-author-andrew-lawler/
What is your favorite tank gun caliber and why?![]()
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Join the conversation and share your thoughts! 💠Each week, We're posing a question about historical military vehicles, and we want YOU to weigh in. Whether you’re a history buff, a tank enthusiast, or just curious—we want to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below to cast your vote! 👇
Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - What is it?! ![]()
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Thanks to everyone who played last week… the answer for April 2nd is a handwheel from a machinist's lathe… see the previous post for the full details!![]()
Good luck on this week’s challenge! ![]()
#americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma
History After Hours: Maj. Carpenter & “Rosie the Rocketer” with Jim Busha
May 15 @ 6:00 pm, ending 8:30 pm
$20
History After Hours is a Monthly Evening Program for American Heritage Museum Guests and Members to learn more about some of the fascinating stories surrounding the history presented in the museum. History After Hours events are 6:00pm to 8:30pm.
Our May 15, 2025 History After Hours Program features Jim Busha, noted aviation historian and journalist and author of Bazooka Charlie: The Unbelievable Story of Major Charles Carpenter and Rosie the Rocketer.
Major Charles Carpenter made headlines during the Second World War when he affixed six bazookas to his tiny Piper L-4 observation plane and began attacking German tanks – successfully destroying six German tanks and destroying or disabling several German armored vehicles. “Bazooka Charlie” and his plane “Rosie the Rocketer” were profiled in a variety of military and civilian publications, including the iconic Stars & Stripes. His efforts earned him the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
The major was a high school educator in the civilian world, teaching history and coaching football. In 1945, the dashing pilot was forced out of the cockpit and into a hospital bed by Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which was discovered in his neck. In addition to the enemy and terminal cancer, Carpenter also battled cynicism and guilt, particularly in regard to the state of his marriage, which was on the brink of failure by the time he returned home from Europe. Charles Carpenter died in 1966, having resumed his career, salvaged his marriage, and long outlived the timeline afforded him by his doctors in the initial prognosis.
This revealing biography of the famous pilot was made possible through the collaboration of Jim Busha and Carpenter’s daughter, Carol Apacki. Along with memories of her father in his postwar years, Carol provided a treasure trove of wartime correspondence between Charles and his wife, Elda Carpenter.
The actual L-4 flown by Carpenter, “Rosie the Rocketer” was found by the American Heritage Museum in 2019 and restored to flying condition. It will be on display this evening for visitors to see.
Program Admission is $20.00 per person and American Heritage Museum members are free with a promo code. Capacity is limited to 150 seats.
Click Here to Buy Tickets to History After Hours on May 15, 2025
