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I finally made it out to the area where the armored vehicles from the old Louisiana Museum of Military History are stored. These vehicles were once displayed in pristine condition. Now after 7 years in the hot Louisiana sun and humid climate, they look horrible! I took some photos and started looking for serial numbers, but my heart just wasn't in it. I am looking for photos from the museum so I can show you what they looked like before.

Here is the link to the photo:Old Warriors
Here is the first vehicle I checked out. It is a M-42, but the data plate says T-141. S/N 380. We ran this vehicle in many local parades. Mufflers would glow cherry-red.


Here is a shot of the data plate:

Next vehicle is an M60A0. It has the following numbers: 9B3211 and on the towing lug it has a 6, then below it a large 6 then two smaller 7's. Could it be 6677?

This tank ran when we parked it! The hydraulics for elevating the main gun had gone out, but everything else worked fine. I have pictures of me TC'ing this one in a Christmas parade.

Here is an M103. It used to be a gate guard at Fort Polk while the 5th ID was there. I could not find a S/N, but I plan on going back soon, hopefully when it is cooler and get photos of data plates. Most of theses vehicles have hatches that are unlocked.

What is the name of the place were these verhicles are stored??

Regards,
Lesley

Mr. Delsing, they are in a private construction yard that also has an asphalt plant and a sand pit (quarry). The owner was a supporter of the museum and also buys a lot of surplus vehicles. Today I found 6 CUCV's and most seemed to have been stripped of a few parts. 2 appear intact. I think I got my next work vehicle here! He also has a couple of workshops where we used to restore vehicles. I haven't made it down there yet. He has a Willys jeep that was a D-Day veteran, then served with LeClerc's 2nd Armored Div. It is fully documented!

PS I love your avatar I finally realized who it is, the star of ICE AGE!

Can the location be revealed - ie address?

Neil

Here is a Google shot of where they are located. I am hesitant to give out anymore info than that. The old man that runs the place is getting a little absentminded and I have to visit him before I go back there. Maybe if any of you are near Lafayette, LA in the near future< I can arrange something, that is, if the following does not take place. I was told that there is a team from CMH coming to look at them this week. Supposedly after that they will be moved to another location. Heard a rumor a NG transportation unit is doing it as part of AT.

Could I just list the vehicles in the AFV Register as being in storage in Lafayette LA?

Neil

Neil, ah man, why didn't you come out and say that from the start. Sorry if I seemed sorta paranoid. Some of the guys still responsible for these vehicles are a little nutty...i.e. New World Order is coming! (The sky is falling, the sky is falling...)The following vehicles are still there:

M60 A0 (in photo)
M48
M47
M42
M41
M75
M59
M103
2 UH-1's
Numerous M-35's

The place is Lafayette Asphalt Co.

I remember the M103 from my days at Ft Polk with 5th ID (89-91).

I'm surprized they didn't stay there.

That M103 was on entrance road at Hwy 71 if memory serves me correctly. Good job tracking them down.

Regards
Don

Dontos, your memory serves you correct. It is still in the 3-color CARC paint scheme that 5th ID painted it. All it needs is a power pack to get it running again. We tried to get a spare pack from an M-88, but the powers that be stopped that pipe dream.

What ever happened to the cheyane helicopter that was at the Old 5th ID Museum. They had a real decent 32nd Ar Regt collection from WWII, also.

Regards
Don

I remember the Cheyenne, but as to its whereabouts, I don't know. When the 5th pulled out, the museum was pretty much gutted. Much went into storage, other things ended up in other museums.

The Cheyenne is at the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker.

Neil

- Tanklord

I remember the Cheyenne, but as to its whereabouts, I don't know. When the 5th pulled out, the museum was pretty much gutted. Much went into storage, other things ended up in other museums.

When I got to Polk in 1989, I stumbled into the Museum. I was amazed at the Cheyenne being there.

I had never seen a real one, but built the model when it was in R&D.




This is the one.....at Ft Rucker now.


Regards
Don