Why on earth would they shell out $40,000 each on the vehicles at Aberdeen to restore them and just put them back outside in the elements. Wouldn't it make more sense and be a better use of our tax dollars to use the money to put up a building to house the APG collection. You wouldn't need anything extravegant. Just a big metal warehouse style building to keep the sun, snow, and rain off of the vehicles so they don't rust.

I wonder if writing our Congressmen would have some effect. I think it is a shame that all these pieces of history (and in some cases, the last known surviving example of a particular vehichle) are sitting outside to rust away. We as Americans should be more willing to shell out our money to protect our history for future generations to enjoy.

Just my 2 cents.

Any comments?

Money is funded through donations from the museum. They are also attempting to raise additional funds to put them under some type of shelter. IMHO, complaining will only impede the restoration, letting the vehicles slip into further decay. At least they are getting a facelift that is proper (as opposed to just slapping any paint on it) and will halt the decay (and for some vehicles, reverse the decay). The newly restored vehicles at least have a fighting chance for a few more years until some type of pole barn is built.

How are they attempting to raise additional funds? I would be more than willing to donate money if I knew it was going toward giving those tanks some shelter.

I agree that it is nice that they are doing these restorations, but I just think that they money would have been better spent putting up a building of some sort. If you've ever been down to the Quantico Marine Air & Ground museum they have their collection in quanset huts which do the job just fine.

Speaking of APG, are they going to open it up to the public any time soon?

Joining the museum foundation is the first step to helping them out. Here's a link that will let you sign up now...
http://www.ordmusfound.org/join.html

That website also listed information about a tour that had been arranged for today. They allowed 44 people per hour into the museum at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM today. The gates are opening, albeit very, very slowly.

Later,
Tim

Adam--you are absolutely right. It is almost criminal to witness the heart and soul of armor rusting away. The last time I spoke with the museum director, George Perdie, as I recall, he told me they had some fantastic building scheme envision to protect the collection. Don't look for that to happen anytime soon. As for getting on the installation, I am guessing but I bet that would be next to impossible without a military ID.
DJ