VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) — In Vincennes, a lot of people make their way to the Indiana Military Museum. It attracts viewers, from all of over the country. There’s so much to see and so much to learn, and the volunteers are always adding new pieces of military history.
So many things catch your eye at the Indiana Military Museum, like the conning tower of the sub USS Indianapolis, the various planes and helicopters, the lifelike scenes from the Homefront during World War II, and the Higgins boat with jeep on board.
The many volunteers have spent countless hours on so many displays and they’re always adding to the facility.
Judge Jim Osborne is a driving force behind the museum.
“I always like to say that this museum is one of the top ten comprehensive military museums in the country, with the exception of course of the World War II museum in new Orleans and the air force museum, things like that, said Osborne.
A lot of the work that makes the items “display ready”, happens in the workshop. There’s the center section of a German V-1 rocket that they’ve had for 30 years. They’ve located a tail section in Germany and the hope is that it will on display next year.
Next to it, is Marmon-Herrington World War II tank that was originally made in Indianapolis. It’s
almost ready for display after 4 years of work. On the other side of the room, is frame of this World War I Liberty truck which will painstakingly be put together.
Outside, is a German Flak 88, which they acquired from England and this piece of artillery, is scheduled to be in a film
“The film is going to be about a time when it was the Russians versus the Germans, but it will be the Ukrainians, the Ukrainian portion of Russia and it will be the Ukrainians fighting the German soldiers,” said Osborne.
Back inside, many filmgoers may remember this German Kubelwagen from the movie “Valkyrie” starring Tom Cruise. And just behind it , is this impressive Russian T 34 The Soviet Union mass produced this tank and it was crucial in the defeat the Nazis. Judge Osborne says it arrived in this country after a simple request.
“This particular tank was sent over here by President Gorbachev of the Soviet Union in 1991 at the request the simple request by a museum up in Wisconsin, a fellow by the name of Bob Costa running that museum wrote him a letter,” remembered Osborne.
And behind a building, a destroyed helicopter could someday be a part of the museum. They’re not exactly sure how it will be used, but it’s important. That’s because this is the helicopter from the Sullivan VFW, it was destroyed during the tornado that hit the town.
The museum is really impressive, it’s definitely worth a visit. Also, the museum is always looking for volunteers, who have a passion for military history.
