Aberdeen Proving Ground Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen, Maryland August 2001 & June 2002

I had the opportunity to install some test equipment at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in August. During the installation I was able to get some photographs of a few of the vehicles in the Ordnance Museum that is just outside the base. Cameras are not allowed in the Test Center itself (where all the really cool stuff happens), but the Museum does have over a hundred guns and probably a hundred armoured vehicles. I have tried to remember most of the vehicles that I photographed; however, I am not sure that I have correctly identified all of the vehicles. This is particularly true for some of the WWII German vehicles. The photos show a few WWI tanks, quite a few WWII tanks, and of course the winner of the Gulf War - The M1A1 Abrams.

Again in June of 2002, I was able to return and get a LOT more photos.
Please e-mail me if you can help me identify some of the vehicles that I do not know.

Japanese WWII Light Tank

This is the same model of tank that I photographed at the Shirahama Zero Park in Japan. It is quite small and is probably only about 1/2 the size of a typical German tank. Mikael Olrog identifies this tank as a Type 95 HA-GO w/ 37mm Gun.

Japanese Heavy Tank

I was surprised to see a heavier tank that was still quite small by European standards; however, it had a much larger gun than the light tank. Mikael Olrog identifies this tank as a Type 97 CHI-HA w/ 57mm Gun.

Japanese Self-Propelled Gun

I did not even know that the Japanese had such a vehicle. The gun is not very large; I think it is 75mm. Mikael Olrog thinks that chassis is same as Type 97 CHI-HA.

British WWI Tank

This is the tank everyone has seen in photographs of WWI tanks. Mikael Olrog identifies as Mark V. BUT, Robert Robinson identifies it as a Mark IV.

British WWI Tank

Mark A Whippet Medium Tank. ID courtesy of Paul Mc Donald, Perth, West Aust.

British WWII Churchill Tank

This type of tank saw action in North Africa against the Afrika Korps.

French WWII Tank

This tank has been identified as an American tank sold to the French; it has been identified as a M3 General Grant by Mikael Olrog and Stefan Wollbold. Al Sumrall has identified this tank as the American M3 Grant w/ a 75mm side gun and 37mm turret gun. The M3 Grant is supposed to have served w/ distinction in North Africa and Burma.

German WWII Gun Carrier

This is the smallest German vehicle in the museum. Just 2 machine guns in the turret. This has been identified as a Panzerkampwagen I by Al Sumrall.

German WWII Tanks

The signs were not very legible for these 4 tanks. All I know is that they all were called Panzers, but there is quite a difference between them. I could use some help in identifying these vehicles. Mikael Olrog identifies these vehicles as:
#1: Waffenträger IeFH 18/1 auf GW 1V Weapons Carrier, 105mm gun (Grasshopper) 1943 (w/ Help from Dave McDonald).

#2: Jag IV, 75mm gun 1943

#3: JagdPanther V, 88mm gun 1944

#4: JagdPanzer 38(t) (HETZER-BAITER), 75mm gun 1944

#5: PzKpfor. V Ausf. A Panther, 75mm gun, 50.2 tons

#6: PzKpfor. V Ausf. G Panther, 75mm gun 1944

#7: Pz. Kpfw. IVF2 (the first Pz. Kpfw. IV with a long gun).
#8: Pz. Kpfw. H or J Model.

German WWII Tiger Tank

This tank is REALLY, REALLY BIG! It is the LARGEST in the museum. There is no doubt that you can believe the reaction of Allied troops encountering these behemoths. The M1A1 Abrams is only about 1/2 the size of this tank. Mikael Olrog identifies this tank as a Jagdtiger V or VI. Also, he says that the vehicle in front of the Jagdtiger in the center photograph is a Jagdpanther V. The plaque at the museum identifies this vehicle as "P2 Tiger Tank, 128mm gun, 80 tons".

Many More Tiger Tank Pictures

German WWII Self-Propelled Guns

I did not take any notes about these self-propelled guns. I could use some help in identifying these vehicles. The 4th vehicle is unusual because it was the only German vehicle with a national symbol on it. Mikael Olrog identifies these vehicles as:
#1: Pak 43/1 (Rhinocerous) 88mm gun 1942

#2: JagdPanzer 38(t) (MARDER III), 75mm gun 1943

#3: Stu H42, 105mm gun 1943

#4: Panzerjäger IV "Nashorn" antitank gun with an 88mm gun.
#5: Sturmpanzer IV "Brummbär".
#6: FH 18/40 auf Geschützwagen 38H (f) with a 15 cm haubits.
#7: Post-WWII Jagdpanther II

German WWII 88mm Gun

This is the famous 88. There are 2 versions in the museum. A 2 wheel and a 4 wheel carriage for the guns. Ordnance experts here at the Test Center say that this gun is still one of the best ever made. Its versatility was unprecedented, being used for Anti-Aircraft and Anti-Tank actions. Note that the tires are solid rubber and not inflatable type.

German Railroad Gun

Courtesy of Brett, Brooklyn, NY
The German Railroad gun is a K5(E). This is the finest railroad gun ever made. several where made and were the back bone of German railroad artillery. This particular gun was captured by US forces during the allied invasion of Anzio Italy. The German nicknamed this particular gun Leopold, and the Americans called it Anzio Annie. One American G.I. claimed the gun was so accurate the Germans seemed to be able to hit a jeep in the city if they so liked. The gun's caliber is 28cm (11.02in) and has a range of 38.64 miles with standard munitions, 53.7 miles with a rocket boosted shell and 93.8 miles with the Peenemunde arrow shell (which requires the barrel to be out to 12.2in smoothbore). This is one of 2 K5's in existence the other being at Cap Gris Nes France. They are the only WW2 rail way guns to survive the today.

Russian KC-1C Tank

76.2mm gun, 52 tons 1939.

Russian WWII T-34/76 Tank

Stefan Wollbold thinks that these possibly are Russian T-34/76 B Tanks (T34/76 means 76,2mm Main Gun ) & Mikael Olrog agrees.

Russian WWII T-34/85 Tank

These 2 tanks are the famed T-34 of the Eastern Front. Stefan Wollbold identifies these as T-34/85 I or IIs & Mikael Olrog agrees.

Russian IS-3 Stalin Tank

Mikael Olrog says this is a IS-3 and actually served in 1945 before the end of the war and set the standard for awhile in tanks.

Russian PT-76 Model 2 Tank

76.2mm gun, 14 tons 1960.

Russian T-55 Tank

100mm gun, 39.6 tons 1961.

Russian T-62 Tank

This is a Post-WWII tank from the 60s.

Russian T-72 Tank

This tank has been identified by several people to be a T-72.

Russian SU-100 Tank Destroyer

100mm gun, 1944 (Stefan Wollbold identifies this vehicle as a SU-100).

Russian SU-76 Self-Propelled Gun

76.2mm gun, 12 tons.

M-1974 Russian Self-Propelled Howitzer

A 122mm M-1974 Self Propelled Howitzer mounted on a modified PT-76 chassis. The 122mm weapon is a modification of the Russian D-30 towed field howitzer with an approx range of 15.3 Km. Entered Soviet service mid 70's. ID courtesy of Paul Mc Donald, Perth, West Aust.

T-92 Self-Propelled Gun

Costas Tsaganas identifies this as the T-92 light tank prototype with a 76 mm gun.

U.S. 16 Inch Army Coastal Defense Gun

Courtesy of Brett, Brooklyn, NY
The 16.in gun is a US army M1919 coast gun. Because of the 1921 naval treaty many nations had to stop construction of their battleships. The US Navy had extra 16.in guns from their cancelled Lexington class basttlecruisers, and so were given to the Army. The Army had no money for the mounting so they where not all installed until 1939 and finally were all scrapped in the late 40's. The guns where placed at the approaches of Pearl Harbor, San Francisco and New York (thre is supposed to be a concrete emplacement for the NY gun near my house). During the war more were set up at Boston, San Diego and New Orleans. I don't how many where built or where they were all located. This one at Aberdeen is the last one.

U.S. Mobile Atomic Cannon

This gun is capable of firing a shell with a tactical nuclear weapon warhead.

U.S. Bradley APC

The Bradley is current inventory for infantry transport.

U.S. M1A Abrams

72 Tons of destruction. A 120 mm smooth bore gun with incredible range and accuracty. Note that this vehicle has the been used recently by the tracks in the grass next to its parking pad. You have to park these vehicles on pads or else they sink. Definitely a vehicle for traffic jams.

Back to Home
warbirdpics@yahoo.com