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Alf_Adams · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:50 pm Post subject: Minnesota trip report

This fall I did a driving holiday taking me through 3 states and 2 provinces. Naturally I can’t do that without taking my copies of the AFV Registers along and doing some tank spotting along the way. The list of vehicles that I visited is long, so I will break it up. Here are the results of my travels in Minnesota. Some of these numbers will just confirm what is already in the Register, but some are new and will help fill in some blanks. Naturally, I also took photos of each of the vehicles, and I have posted these to my Photobucket page. Lastly, I must say how much I appreciate the efforts of my wife, who puts up with my hobby, and has even learned to tell the difference between a Sherman and an M60. I will post results for Michigan, Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec later as I get it all organized. s698.photobucket.com/h.../allalbums

Minnesota

Aitkin
M4A3(75)VVSS is at VFW Post 1727, however correct address is 36558 410th Ave (Minnesota Ave) This is a very nice direct vision hull. The number 2800 is visible stamped into the rear hull, however I am not sure if this is a SN as it is only 4 digits. It may just be a part number for the rear plate. Perhaps someone with more expertise can comment on this (Neil? Kurt? Anyone?).
N46 32.480 W093 42.421.
The M48 listed in the Register is not there. I asked about it at the town museum and armory and was told that there never was another tank in town. This listing is probably an error.

Akeley
M114A2 listed in the AFV Register is not there. VFW Post 8508 is at the listed address, but has an M114 155mm howitzer out front, not an M114 AFV. I spoke to the bar tender inside and 2 long time residents/customers. They all stated that the howitzer had been there as long as they remembered, and there had never been an AFV there or anywhere else in town. This entry should probably be removed.

Brainerd
M3A1 Stuart and M4A3(75)VVSS are at listed address. There is also an M60A3 in front of the armory.
Stuart SN is 10135, just visible through the paint on the lower right front of the hull.
Sherman SN is 12601, visible on vehicle hull corners. This tank has what appears to be a real muzzle brake fitted. Not an obvious fake like I have seen on some other Shermans in the area. I don’t know why someone would go to the trouble of doing that, but there it is.
M60A3 SN is 2862A, RN is JJ04WF
N46 20.181 W094 11.534 is for the M60A3
These vehicles can be seen on Google Streetview.

Cloquet
M60A3 is in Veterans Park on Ave B E, just west of Hwy 33. It is not at the listed address.
SN is confirmed as 4255A, RN is 9B7148
N46 43.388 W092 27.485
This vehicle can be seen on Google Streetview.

Crosby
M4A3(75)VVSS is in Crosby Memorial Park on Hwy 210 (3rd Ave SW)
SN is 12188, clearly visible on hull corners.
N46 28.746 W093 57.438
This vehicle can be seen on Google Streetview.

Fosston
M60A3 in Melland Park on Hwy 2 at junction of Co hwy 1.
N47 34.132 W095 44.222
SN is confirmed as 3414A, RN is JJ01D6
This vehicle can be seen on Google Streetview.

Jenkins
M60A3 is at the listed address
N46 38.738 W094 19.949
SN is confirmed as 4113M, RN is JJ02DW

Melrose
M60A3 is in a Memorial Park beside the Melrose Public Works Bldg. on W Main St.
SN is confirmed as 2863A, RN is JJ04WG
N45 40.514 W094 48.897

Nisswa
M60A3 is at listed address
SN is confirmed as 2871A, RN is JJ04WC
N46 31.546 W094 17.644

Stephen
M114 at Legion Post 390, on Atlantic Ave at the corner of Dewey St.
N48 27.195 W096 52.425

Thief River Falls
M60A3 at Legion Post 117, on Hwy 1 at Brooks Ave.
N48 07.164 W096 11.422
RN is JJ01C8
Could not read SN on tow lugs or rear deck due to too many layers of paint.
This vehicle can be seen on Google Streetview.

Kurt_Laughlin · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 577

Alf, that serial is valid for the Aitkin M4A3, and 2800 would almost certainly be a DV tank.

FSMMREP · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: Minnesota trip report

Alf,

Should you find yourself in Minnesota again, let me invite you to stop at the Fort Snelling Military Museum. We are located next to the Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport, on the Army Reserve base at Fort Snelling. See our website at www.FSMM.org. We have several pieces of operational armor and we try to do our best to accomodate visitors in the Spring, Summer, and Fall months.

John H

Joe_D · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: Minnesota trip report

John,

I will most likely take you up on the offer you made in the Newcomers thread next year.

Thanks

TrevorLarkum · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: Minnesota trip report

Nice work, Alf.

panamadan · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 29, 2006 Posts: 174

Alf,
Wished that I knew that you were in MN, I live here and could have shown you many more Sherman's amd M60's that are in our State.
Here's a short list:
Princeton-M4A3
Milica-M4A3, no pistol port
Waconia-M4A3, also a DV
Appleton-M4A3, no pistol port
Camp Ripley-M4A3E2
Redwood Falls-M4A3
Watkins-M60A3
Hutchensin-M60A3
Long Prairie-M4A3
If any members are in the MN area, please drop me a line so we can set up a tank spotting day!
Dan

Alf_Adams · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Minnesota trip report

Thanks for the invitations from John Hutterer and panamadan. Unfortunately the leaves are falling now and my tankspotting trips are likely ended until next year, however I will keep these in mind for next year when I hope to be in Minnesota again to cover most of what I missed this trip.

Alf

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