Twice a month, passengers can board the Evansville Wartime Museum’s 1943 Chrysler M4A4 Sherman Tank, known as “Rosie’s Revenge,” for a ride. The Evansville P-47 Foundation acquired the tank from the Museum of the American G.I. in College Station, Texas, last summer.
Evansville Living climbed aboard for a tank’s-eye view and learned more about this nine-foot-tall, 32-ton war machine.
The Scoop
Museum volunteers begin each 30-minute session by tracing the tank’s history from World War II Britain and post-war France to Evansville.
After going over safety protocol, passengers — clad in helmets and earplugs — determine seating positions. The commander gets a view from the top; the loader and gunner positions peer through periscopes below. The co-driver’s seat has an unobstructed view in front of the tank. A member of the tank committee takes the driver’s seat.
Passengers get on and off the tank assisted by a set of stairs. Climbing across it, you will notice friction tape grips the steel surface.
The Verdict
It’s not every day someone gets to see, let alone ride in, a Sherman tank — nothing quite compares. Passengers leave with knowledge and appreciation of soldiers’ experiences in the field.
A few things to know before getting on: An early ride guarantees the tank has not yet heated up under the sunlight. Passengers must be able to climb in and out of the tank’s hatches. The ride is smooth, but passengers may feel a jerk or two, especially since the tank uses brakes for steering.
“You want to have a hand on something. It’s a tank, not a limousine. Things can get jerky,” says Mike Rasche, head of the tank committee.
Need to Know
Participants should wear closed-toed shoes with a good grip and fit. Bags and phones are not allowed aboard because they easily can slip into small crevices.
Rides lasting 10-15 minutes on a field adjacent to the museum are offered noon – 3:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of every month April-October. Sessions are rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Each seat costs $100, and all riders must be over five feet tall.
