Help us Build a WWI Tank
Donation protected
In order to support Rockford Midway Village Museum's WWI Days a group of reenactors has decided to build a WWI tank.
Our group is based out of Northern Illinois and our tank is being built in Lakemoor, IL. The money we raise will pay for materials for the project such as steel sheet, angle iron, and bar stock. Our big expenses will be steel and the donor vehicle for an engine and drive train. Doug Strong and Sam Johnson are taking the lead on this project.
We began our project by building a full size wood and steel mock up of an FT-17 tank that the museum used as a static display. This served as a learning tool to work out our patterns and to determine the best ways to construct it. Now that we have successfully completed the static tank we have begun building a full scale, all steel Schneider tank. This one drives and functions exactly like a real one with the exception of no working guns or cannons.
Historically these tanks were built by the French for their army and are considered by most to be the first modern tanks. These tanks were also used by the American army and several were captured by the Germans. They continued to be used by the French and then the Germans in WWII.
We are well on our way to completing this tank but we need your donations to push us over the edge so that we have the funds to complete it in time for the centennial celebrations and memorials of 2018.
Thank you for your support.
Doug Strong,
Hawthorn Woods, IL
Our group is based out of Northern Illinois and our tank is being built in Lakemoor, IL. The money we raise will pay for materials for the project such as steel sheet, angle iron, and bar stock. Our big expenses will be steel and the donor vehicle for an engine and drive train. Doug Strong and Sam Johnson are taking the lead on this project.
We began our project by building a full size wood and steel mock up of an FT-17 tank that the museum used as a static display. This served as a learning tool to work out our patterns and to determine the best ways to construct it. Now that we have successfully completed the static tank we have begun building a full scale, all steel Schneider tank. This one drives and functions exactly like a real one with the exception of no working guns or cannons.
Historically these tanks were built by the French for their army and are considered by most to be the first modern tanks. These tanks were also used by the American army and several were captured by the Germans. They continued to be used by the French and then the Germans in WWII.
We are well on our way to completing this tank but we need your donations to push us over the edge so that we have the funds to complete it in time for the centennial celebrations and memorials of 2018.
Thank you for your support.
Doug Strong,
Hawthorn Woods, IL
Organizer
Doug Strong
Organizer
Lake Zurich, IL
