Photo TR: U.S. Army Transportation Museum

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My buddy Brian blew into town to eat BBQed tri-tip, drink some beer and wine, and catch the B-52s concert at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. While we were at it, we decided to check out the Hampton Blackbeard Festival--but were distracted on the way down I-64 East.

 

Brian noted how we had both driven past the exit for the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Ft. Eustis about a hundred times (well, probably closer to one thousand times for me), but had never checked the place out. Was there a reason for this? Well, being as the museum was free, it wouldn't cost us to find out. Turned out to be a fairly interesting place, full of old trucks, wagons, jeeps, and even some bizarre experimental vehicles going all the way back to the 18th century--not to mention a fair selection of creepy mannequins in sometimes unnatural poses.

 

So, if you're interested in army transportation ("The Spearhead of Logistics"), jeeps, trucks, and bizarre experimental vehicles, and are looking for something a bit different than BGW and Colonial Williamsburg, you might give the place a shot. (My Dad, who was an Air Force mechanic in the 1950s, would love this joint.) Just cruise on down I-64 East to Newport News and check out the U.S. Army Transportation Museum. What have you got to lose? (Well, other than a few hours, and maybe your car keys if you're not careful.)

Better hurry! Only 18 days until the raffle!

"Yay! Army transportation rocks!"

Bet you didn't know this! Well, you do now.

You know, Brian's wife and kids would've been bored to death here. Go figure.

"Why, I'm just super, . . .

. . . thanks for asking!"

Pick the real mannequin! Win a free pass to the museum!

U.S. Army Donkey says, "Club TPR wants you!"

"Let's see, maybe if I jiggle this wire . . . oh, who the hell am I kidding? I haven't got a freakin' clue!"

Dwight Eisenhower commanded this convoy. It took about 20 days. TPR's Mid-America Trip will beat this time easily.

And here's one of the trucks Eisenhower commanded.

This is for the fans of both jeeps and trains. Satisfied? This one rode the "Burma Road" during WWII. As I recall, the road through Mong Yu eventually got you to Long Wang.

This is a "DUK"--a combination truck and boat developed during WWII.

"'Cause suicide is painless./It brings on many changes."

"I tell ya, it's murder bouncing around in these jeeps with my 'roids! It's like Satan is dancing on my hind quarters."

"My heart bleeds for you, Yankee dog."

OK, can anyone spot the flaw in this particular concept? Seems to me that standing on top of an enormous Cuisnart would be a rather dicey proposition, especially during choppy weather.

"You know, they could've posed me with a machine gun on the back of a truck, but no-o-o-o-o! I gotta sit behind a stupid typewriter!"

This is the only "gun truck" to come back from Vietnam.

I'm sure that Dave and Ice Bat would be very interested in this option for any vehicle they might purchase in the future.

Here's some high-tech Viet Cong transport. Pretty effective, as it turns out.

"Kurtz? You're talkin' about the man! He has enlarged my mind!"

This vehicle saw action in Iraq, . . .

. . . as you can tell by the IED damage.

"Well, at least I'm not sitting behind a typewriter." More to come from the Transportation Museum--with a wee bit of the Blackbeard Festival.

Edited July 14, 2010 by cfc

[cfc]

There's some big stuff outside the main museum building. Let's take a look, shall we?

OK, Matt and Jeff--you got your tissues? Good for you!

This was the train that transported American servicemen, government officials, and their families through the occupied sectors of Germany following WWII.

"I must see your papers, capitalist swine!"

My, that's one big landing craft you've got there.

"Hello, AAA? Have I got a job for you."

It wouldn't be a U.S. Army base without some barbed wire.

Now for some really cool stuff. This was a sort of "hover jeep."

"Hop in my Chrysler, it's as big as a whale, and it's about to set sail!" Actually, this "hover car" could "set sail." The museum has some interesting footage of it operating on land and water.

This looks like something from NASA, but the Army was testing this walker out to use on rough terrain (again, there's video of it in action at the museum).

And now, the USA's greatest contribution to WWII (well, aside from sexy pinup posters of Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth).

We finished our visit with a look at the very first jeep. Onward to Hampton!

Arr! I sense there be scurvy pirates about!

And here be a few, sez I! Blackbeard was killed in battle off the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and his head was displayed on a pike in Hampton harbor; hence, the reason for the festival.

The surviving members of his crew were tried for piracy, convicted, and hanged in Williamsburg.

Aye, there be a likely looking vessel . . .

. . . for them what wants to join a pirate crew!

That winch weighs about 1,000 lbs. They use it to raise the sails.

"Avast! There goes me contact lens!"

The captain's quarters are not for the likes of a swab like meself.

For a daughter who appreciates a good, goofy t-shirt.

"So, whar be Blue Oyster Cult playin' tonight?" (Yes, BOC did perform at the Blackbeard Festival, but we had to miss them.)

"Aye, Blackbeard wants his picture taken with BOC!"

"In walked a jelly fish."

Here be some low-rent pirates! They be bringin' down the property values in their scurvy craft.

Arr, I hates low-rent pirates, sez I!

Send 'em to Davy Jones, wench!

It's always Happy Hour at Bloodthirsty's Tavern.

"Yes, we be Blackbeard's crew. Now buy some crap!"

Well, that what I get fer bein' a scallywag! Thanks for readin', mate.

Edited July 14, 2010 by cfc

[Moose]

Sooo, that Pirate ship, do you know if they actually sail it? Both the winch and capstain don't look like they have too much wear. Also, who would put a step next to the capstain, honestly. As if there isn't enough stuff to trip over on deck, they put a step right wear you need to walk to work the capstain?

 

 

A little, probably not well known fact: I used to work on a tall ship.

 

Thanks for the report on some interesting vehicles. I love the look of the hovercar.

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^I'd wondered about the capstan, too--seems odd to have a hatch right next to it.