The video of the Abrams in the mud got me thinking about driving a tank.   I want to do it.   So where in the US can I go drive one?    

My wife is from the UK and she said she grew up near a guy that had tanks that he would let people drive around his farm, so someone somewhere has got to do this in the states.  

I realize that I probably won't be driving an abrams but I'd be happy with most anything.  

I have a soft spot for these guys




oh and I know the first response will probably tell me to go join the service but that time is gone for me and my back is so fucked at this point I doubt they'd want me.  

Drive A Tank

I just play World of Tanks.  

I posted this thread then found this site, I might have to call them up later

I suppose I should see how much flights will cost me

Go down to United Rentals and rent a bulldozer for the weekend.

Dunno what to do about a turret, though. Make whirring hydraulic sounds??

It looks like fun. They tried to open up the range about 10-12 miles from me, but they got shot down by the neighbors and didn't open.

From their website, some of the package deals:

Packages Available:

Drive Packages include:

"4 Star General's Package"
-2 passengers included
-Introductory tour, history & training
-Drive the Abbott & FV432 APC using periscopes in a combat  driving orientation on scenic wooded course
-Test firing three historic machine guns in our indoor range
-Up to 2 additional spectators- $25.00 each
$499.00 per driver by appointment

"3 Star Lieutenant General's Package"
-Introductory tour, history & training
-Drive the Abbott on the scenic wooded course
-Test fire one historic machine gun
-Up to two passengers, $25 each.

Add a car crush to your thrilling day of tank driving
Single Car Crush:  $499.00

Double the fun  -  Double Car Crush!
Double Car Crush:  $699.00

Helicopter Taxi Service available to and from Minneapolis/St. Paul.
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, we also have H-2 limo service available!
Email us for pricing and details: [email protected]

what would they charge to drive it down Pennsylvania avenue

Minnesota: http://driveatank.com/

Texas:http://www.incredible-adventures.com/texas-tanks.html

I went to the one in Minnesota several years ago when they were just starting up (he told us about the neighbor problems) they didn't have the range or anything then. It wasn't quite as scripted as what they have on the website now. First thing we got to do was shoot his brand spankin new 50 cal semi auto (still had the price tag on it ), this was within like 10 minutes out of the truck. We went around the place, saw his tanks and other misc. military vehciles, drove the APV around a bit, pretty laid back and pretty fun. Nice folks, your basic small town types.

Do you have any skills that might be of use to a reserve armor company in the area?  If there is, there's a way.  

My unit had a contractor build a "mud run" for a charity event.  We took both of the HMFICs of the company on a tour in one of our M1A1s.  They both had a chance to drive the thing under strict supervision.  One got motion sickness sitting inside the turret in the gunners seat.  He had to get up in the loaders hatch for some fresh air.  He had no problem driving, though.      

I even arranged for my bosses at work to do so back when they were helpful in letting me take time off of work for training.  They all had fun starting it up, and driving a tank around the ramp and then turned into pure assholes at work after the event.  I'll never do that again.

"1812? Sure we can do that! No Problem!"







16 Months Later.

You are a no-go at this time.  Return to the classroom for a remedial period of AFVID instruction

Have you not yet passed your 42nd birthday?  Have you talked to 53 different National Guard recruiters, including the ones in Puerto Rico, Guam, & Washington DC?  How bad do you want to drive a tank?

Rent a Broderson Carry Deck crane then.  



 

Unfortunately, tanks are much cheaper in England than than they are here.  Plus the government there, surprisingly, sells them surplus, while here they cut them up or use them for artificial reefs.

You sir have missed the joke!

You shouldn't be joking on the internets.  The internets is very serious business.

Anywhere you damn well want

but often only once.

This is the one I know about.  He's a member on SteelSoldiers.com, a site I frequent quite often.

LC