M36 Jackson World War II Tank Ride Experience
Schedule Ride
Take a Ride on the Rare M36 Jackson World War II Tank Destroyer
The American Heritage Museum offers a new World War II Tank Ride Experience aboard the rare M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer. Currently under restoration, the M36 Jackson resembles a 1944 factory-fresh tank. Equipped with a formidable 90mm gun in an open turret, it took down German Panther and Tiger tanks in the European Theater.
Tank rides are tax-deductible donations of $195 per person, with up to 5 passengers. There are four standing positions in the open turret and one seated position in the hull gunner seat. The ride lasts 10 minutes on the tank driving grounds at the museum. Riders must be at least 5′ tall (60 inches) to participate.
History of the M36 Jackson
The M36 Jackson was a highly effective tank destroyer used by the United States during World War II. It was designed to counter the German Panther and Tiger tanks, which had proven to be formidable opponents for the earlier American tanks.
The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, which used the M4 Sherman’s reliable chassis and drivetrain combined with sloped armor, and a new turret with a powerful 90mm gun, which was capable of penetrating the armor of the German tanks from a long range. The vehicle had a relatively low profile, which made it harder for the enemy to spot and target it. It also had a top speed of 45 mph, which allowed it to quickly move to strategic positions on the battlefield.
The M36 saw action in various theaters of the war, including in Europe and the Pacific. It proved to be a valuable asset to the American military, often being used in combination with other vehicles such as the M4 Sherman tank.
After the war, the M36 continued to be used by the United States in the Korean War and as an export to other nations, even being re-engined by Yugoslavia with a 500 hp Soviet-made diesel engine used in T-55. Today, the M36 Jackson is a rare sight with only a few preserved in museums and private collections.
Specifications:
Armament: 90 mm gun M3 cannon, one .50 cal. MG
Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver)
Engine: 450 Horsepower Ford GAA, 1,100 cubic inch V-8
Range: 150 miles
Buy a Tank Riding Experience Gift Certificate!
We’ve got the ultimate gift for any adventurer! An interactive ride or chance to drive an actual WII tank can’t help but blow them away! Put the pedal to some historic metal and give them a gift they’ll never forget.