The American Heritage Museum is excited to announce the launch of a new restoration project aimed at restoring a rare and historically significant piece of original World War II armor: the Type 97 Tankette “Te Ke,” used by the Imperial Japanese Army.![]()
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Read the full article at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/01/rare-japanese-type-97-tankette-te-ke-restoration-project-b...![]()
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The Type 97 Tankette was a light armored vehicle developed and employed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Introduced in 1938, the Te-Ke was designed as a reconnaissance and infantry support vehicle, embodying Japan’s focus on lightweight, mobile forces. ![]()
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The Type 97 Tankette was powered by a 65 horsepower, inline 4-cylinder diesel engine, giving it a top speed of around 26 mph. It featured a two-man crew: a driver and a gunner/commander. Armament included either a 37 mm Type 94 tank gun or a 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun, making it effective against lightly fortified positions and infantry but inadequate against heavier tanks.![]()
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Our particular project vehicle has been determined to be a variant of the Te-Ke that was specifically designed as a gas scattering vehicle to either deploy chemical agents such as mustard gas or other chemical agents offensively or similarly scatter agents to counter poison gasses defensively. Vehicles in this role carried their scattering agents in a towed tracked trailer and though we do not have one of these trailers, we are actively looking for one to add to the restoration.![]()
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The rare Type 97 Tankette will be restored at the American Heritage Museum by our restoration team over the next 3-4 years and will include a full overhaul of the original and rare Ikegai air-cooled diesel engine that is part of the project. We intend to restore it to operational configuration as a running tank and it will eventually become part of an enhanced exhibit documenting the years leading up to World War II. The restoration team is seeking any technical materials, drawings, or documentation of the Type 97 Tankette type – so if you have any resources to assist, please email us at admin@americanheritagemuseum.org
A huge THANK YOU to our hardy re-enactors, dedicated volunteers, and enthusiastic guests for braving the cold and muddy conditions this past weekend for the Battle of the Bulge History Experience! This was our first cold weather outdoor experience and we were happy to welcome so many visitors who took part, deploying in the M3 Half Tracks to our slice of the Ardennes Forest! Please enjoy a selection of photos from Warren Disbrow and Roland Brooks from the weekend! Let us know if you think we should plan another in 2025! #AmericanHeritageMuseum #battleofthebulge #tanklife #WWII #worldwar2 #WorldWarII #WorldWarIIHistory #1944 #visitma #hudsonma
Looking for an adventure with the kids during school break? Come visit us at the American Heritage Museum! We are open today (Monday 12/30) and tomorrow (Tuesday 12/31), 10am to 5pm. Fun activities and Jim will have the game board set up.
Great time to bring friends and family to the American Heritage Museum. Battle of the Bulge Weekend continues through Sunday and the museum will be open this Monday and Tuesday. Happy New Year to all!
Remember, the Battle of the Bulge History Experience Weekend starts tomorrow! Half track rides to and from the wooded encampments go from 10am to 4pm all day and the museum is open as well! There will be food available in the pop-up canteen in the museum by the Kith & Kin Food Truck too! Remember that the encampments are going to be cold and muddy like they were in 1944, so dress accordingly! Info & Tickets at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/battle-of-the-bulge-history-experience-weekend/
- This event has passed.
World War One & Aviation Weekend
September 16, 2023 @ 9:00 am, ending September 17, 2023 @ 5:00 pm
$15 – $25
The American Heritage Museum presents the World War One and Aviation Event Weekend at our museum and airfield in Hudson / Stow, MA!
Real aviation history takes to the skies each day* with flying demonstrations combined with presentations by historians and restorers for our featured aircraft:
The original 1918 Nieuport 28 WWI fighter – America’s First Fighter. This incredible aircraft is the oldest flying American fighter in existence and is restored in the markings of Douglas Campbell, America’s first ace.
Demonstration & talk from 11:00am-12:00pm each day.
The 1933 Waco UIC that is a survivor of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This aircraft was owned and flown by Bob Tyce, a flight instructor and the first civilian casualty of the attack when he was strafed by Japanese aircraft on the airport ramp near the Waco.
Demonstration & talk from 12:00pm-12:45pm each day.
The original 1944 Piper L-4 Grasshopper “Rosie the Rocketer” that was flown by Maj. Charles Carpenter in a role it was never designed for… attacking German tanks! This incredible “David vs. Goliath” story is one you don’t want to miss!
Demonstration & talk on both the L-4 & L-5 from 12:45pm-1:45pm each day.
The 1944 Stinson L-5 Sentinel that is a Pacific War veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and was present during the Battle of Okinawa. This unique air ambulance variant can convert to hold a stretcher in the rear seat.
Demonstration & talk on both the L-4 & L-5 from 12:45pm-1:45pm each day.
In addition to the flying displays, WWI & WWII re-enactor camps will be set up showcasing this history.
* All flight demonstrations are weather and wind dependent and forecast conditions on Saturday may not allow flights. If that is the case, we will still offer presentations on the aircraft in the hangar at the times listed above.
We will also be bringing some of the original rare WWI uniforms and flight clothing of noted World War I aviators that is part of the Parks Collection that has moved to the American Heritage Museum. Such examples are the original uniform of Douglas Campbell, America’s First Ace; and the original leather flight coat of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.
Gates open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm each day. Demonstrations and schedules will be firmed up as we get closer to the event.
All three museums will be open: The American Heritage Museum, The Historic Aviation Hangar and Classic Automobile Barn. This is a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most rare aircraft, extraordinary American classic automobiles, historic tanks, armored vehicles, military artifacts and much more.
There is over 100,000 square feet of space within the American Heritage Museum and Hangar combined.
Food and beverage will be available for purchase on site and picnics are allowed.
*Flight demonstrations are fair weather dependent. Flight demonstrations are subject to change.
Advance Sale and Event Day Admission Tickets
Admission for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:
$25 Adults | $20 Seniors/Veterans | $15 Children Under 12
Members, WWII/Korean War Veterans and Children Under 3 are Free – No ticket required.
Admission discounts can not be used for special event weekends.
Buy Tickets Online Today!
Tickets for Saturday, September 16th – Click Here to Purchase
Tickets for Sunday, September 17th – Click Here to Purchase
Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event by Credit Card or Cash at the entry gate on the access road as well.
Admission for AHM / CF Members
This is a Members Free Event Weekend: one (1) free admission per day for Individual and Participating Members, two (2) free admissions per day for Dual Members, and two (2) adult and two (2) child free admissions per day for Family Members. No advance ticket purchase required, just bring your VALID membership card or recent membership receipt to the entry gate for proof. You may buy tickets online or at the gate for any additional people in your party.
Tank Driving Experiences and Tank Rides Available
Tank Driving experiences and Tank Rides will be taking place over the weekend. You can register online, by phone, or on-site, but spaces are limited!
Tank Driving Experience Prices:
– M24 Chaffee Light Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $995.00 donation (tax deductible)
– M4 Sherman Medium Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $1495.00 donation (tax deductible)
Tank Ride Experience Prices:
– M36 Jackson (10 minute ride) – $195 per person. Maximum of five (5) riders per ride – four in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.
– M24 Chaffee (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Three (3) persons – two in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.
– M4 Sherman (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Two (2) persons – one in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.
Schedule your tank driving or ride experience above or call 978-562-9182 to reserve.
