WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014
The largest U.S. Army museum in the world is recruiting volunteers for painting and blasting work on historic armored vehicles.
The National Armor and Cavalry Heritage Foundation is creating the 30-acre museum at the new Maneuver Center of Excellence in Ft. Benning, GA, to house the lineage, history and heritage of the U.S. Army's Armor and Cavalry Force.
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| Ricky Young, NACHF |
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Historic army tanks and helicopters need volunteers to restore them to museum quality. The project's organizer, the National Armor and Cavalry Heritage Foundation, could use at least 10 volunteer contractors. |
With an estimated project cost of $50 million to 60 million, funded by private sources, the foundation is calling for volunteers to assist in the maintenance and restoration of historic armored vehicles.
The work will include setting up containment, blasting and painting tanks and helicopters as they arrive on their permanent concrete pads.
10 Contractors Needed
Tanks from the Army's earliest years to post-World War II have been moved from Ft. Knox, KY, to the museum, where the foundation hopes to finance and build a dynamic and innovative multi-dimensional museum facility that not preserves and presents history, while actively supporting education, recruiting, retention and public affairs.
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| Ricky Young, NACHF |
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The privately funded project will cost $50 million to $60 million. Pictured is the post-restoration version of the tank shown in the top photo. |
While cash donations are being accepted, the organizers say "in kind" donations would be even better, especially if 10 contractors were able to commit to doing one unit each.
Project organizers are seeking containment, paint, abrasives, moisture control, air and blasting equipment, and project management and labor.
The current schedule is to have 10 units done by the end of June, and the entire museum completed at the end of next year.
Highlighting History
The museum will highlight unit organization and bring to life the history and heritage of U.S. soldiers. It will also provide a historic window into mounted warriors, their history and their role in the nation's history.
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| Susan Boyd, Vulcan Painters Inc. |
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Many tanks need work. The current schedule aims to have 10 units completed by the end of June, with the entire project running through the end of next year. |
"It will show our servicemen and women that we as a nation and an industry appreciate what they have done to protect our country and the sacrifices they have made throughout our history, from the early Cavalry soldiers on horseback to those who are presently serving in mounted units in Afghanistan," the foundation says.
For more information, donations or to volunteer, visit www.armorcavalrymuseum.org or contact Executive Director Ricky Young at nachfexecutivedirector@gmail.com or 706-341-6123
706-341-6123.
Tagged categories: Contractors; Historic Preservation; Historic Structures; Paint application; Preservation; Program/Project Management; Project Management; Surface preparation; Tanks; U.S. Army
