The old Ft Benning museum was pretty good. With the Patton collection additions it should be great once it's set up. But seriously, today's Army is not the one that I joined. They would not have built on a burial ground, but the nesting area? Farewell critters!

Geez, what a freakin' shame! That museum USED TO rock, big time!

I was there in 1987 and was allowed to go into and photograph the interiors of the Stug G and the Panther II/G turret. I had written and requested access earlier before going. It was AWESOME. The Stug still had all of its original paint, and was unrestored in any way. I have those pics in an album.

It doesn't even look worth going to it now...sad....

Hey Spruce I'll do that. I have some pre-sinkhole photos around somewhere, gosh what a giant mess...

And thanks Dan and BD, it was on the advice of I think it was you guys I skipped the museum last time I was in the area.

DantheMan85

Sturmgeschütz 42.

Actually that is a Sturmhaubitze 42, the version equipped with a 105mm gun

DantheMan85

Unknown Panther sitting outside, next to the Museum.

Another shot of the Panther.

The hull is a Panther G (no drivers flap opening), but if that is the original turret, it is an early G before the reinforced chin was introduced on the mantlet.

Very nice photos!

I used to serve with a guy whose Great Uncle was the guy who was driving Patton when he got in the wreck that led to his death. Kind of an awkward family claim to fame.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/09/us/h-l-woodring-dies-at-77-was-driver-in-patton-crash.html

Here's some more information about his StuG.

The StuG III was found in a bog in Latvia. It fell through the ice at some point during the war. During the seasons as the water rose and fell, the muzzle brake and end of the tube was uncovered and exposed to the air which made it rusted and pitted while the rest of the StuG remained in the oxygen deprived muck and preserved. When it was discovered, a tow hook was place inside the cupola which tore loose and took most of the cupola and part of the roof armor. Another attempt was made when it was excavated from the bog and a T-54 ARV was used to pull it out of the bog.

When it was released from the bog, it was a veritable time capsule. Main gun ammo, MG ammo and other equipment was retrieved. I believe that personal effects and personal weapons were not found, but I don't know for sure. The crew was able to bail out before it went under as there were no human remains found. The vehicle had its zimmerit intact, but after its retrieval, it began to peel off. Most was collected in bags and sent with it to Ft. Knox. How Ft. Knox got possession and the time frame, I'm not sure

Here's some walk around pictures of there Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G, after doing some research this StuG III was found in a bog in Latvia and is still in its original paint.

First photo is from 2005.

The rest are from my past visit.

All photo's where taken on a tripod,  with a shutter remote.  The fastest shutter was 6 seconds, and the longest was in bulb mode at 38 seconds.  And all where shot at a aperture of F/16.

Thanks Sprue-ce Goose:  They did have a Flak 88 back in 2005, that's another
thing that was removed.

Gamera: I'd say the new Museum is only worth going to if your in the area or
driving by.  Not a place to make a special trip out of the way to.  Been trying
to get down to the Mammoth Caverns this year.

Thanks BarrettDuke:  Yeah it's pretty empty inside and out.  From what it sounds
like down at Fort Benning, GA when they get the museum built, they'll have a pretty
large collection of armor.  Looks like three Panthers, King Tiger 332 and
Tiger 712, which from what I've heard it's still in pieces.

Thanks Jersey66.

Thanks Greg: Yes you can use a tripod inside, there's plenty of room for it.

And to note for those who are planning a visit, the original gate off of Dixie Highway/31W is closed.  You can get to the museum by entering through the Fort Knox Army Post through the Chaffe Gate via Bullion Boulevard East exit from Dixie Highway/31W.  Use far left line, and all adults must show a valid ID.  Then just fellow the signs to the museum.

Some very nice interior natural light work, Dan.

Did they let you in there with a tripod???

Thanks for posting the pics. The Patton Museum isn't really worth visiting anymore if you are hoping to see armor. Almost everything has been removed. It's especially discouraging to hear that it's all just sitting in storage somewhere indefinitely. Too bad. They had some pretty nice pieces. That King Tiger actually had a side of the turret cut away so you could see inside it.

Gamera

......... the Corvette Museum again (about a year before the sinkhole!). Guess I'll have to go by again next time I'm in the area.

Very cool! I visited about ten years or so ago but had heard most of the outside stuff had been moved so I didn't go back last time I hit Kentucky to visit Mammoth Caverns and the Corvette Museum again (about a year before the sinkhole!). Guess I'll have to go by again next time I'm in the area.

Cool photos, DantheMan85.

I do not recall seeing those vehicles during my time there.

IIRC, the only photos I have of the collection were of me next to a Panther and a FLAK 88 - both  outside.

Thanks Sprue-CE GOOSE,  it does look like the First Division Museum has a larger collection than the Patton museum. 

Here's some more photo's, that I took back in 2005.  There from a JVC Digital CyberCam.

Armor that is included are, King Tiger 332,  Panther II Ausf. G, Panther, two M4A3E8 Sherman, M5 Stuart, M4A1 Canadian built Sherman, M10,  WWI tank.

Mark V WWI tank.

T28

StuG III Ausf G

Unknown Panther sitting outside, next to the Museum.

Sturmgeschütz 42.

Panther, T34 & a Panzer III siding outside together.  Only the T34 had it's tracks.

Another shot of the Panther.

Panther II chassis with Ausf. G turret.

M31

M4 Sherman Ole Henry.

M10.

M7.

M5 Stuart.

M4A3E8 Sherman.

King Tiger 332.

M4A3E8 Sherman.

Engine deck of the King Tiger.

M4A1 Canadian built Sherman.

King Tiger 332.

Thanks for posting the photos.

I haven't been on the base since the late 1980s so things have really changed since I was there!

It appears the First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton Illinois may have much more armor now.

http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/museum/exhibits/tankpark/default.aspx

Thanks Tojo72.

Thanks ikar01,  I beleive that Priest was outside during my first trip back in 2005.  Patton's car
and those horns were really shinny.

Nice shots.  I always liked the Priest.  We used to get them in our parades when I was a kid.  

That was quite a set of horns on that staf car.  I wonder what it sounded like.

Very nice,thanks for sharing.