AAF Museum Meet in Danville, Virginia 2019

[Mike Conley]

I attend the American Armor Foundation (AAF) 'Flamethrower Day' at Danville, Virginia this past Saturday and we put on an exhibit of our Armortek AFVs. This was my first time visiting the museum and it's a LOT bigger than I thought! They have a VERY LARGE number of armored vehicles, artillery guns of all sizes, helmets, uniforms, firearms, MGs, a whole BUNCH of stuff. The museum has different LONG wings and is said to be the largest privately owned collection of AFVs in the U.S. and I believe it.

Right before it opened to the public (who comes to see the flamethrowers shoot) we got set up early and I quickly walked around thru all the wings and only saw a small fraction of the AFVs and took a few pictures. After doors were opened we were really busy displaying the Armorteks, driving'em, and answering many questions about'em. The spectators took many pictures, pamplets, and filmed videos of our tanks driving around. Many were AMAZED that there were LARGE 1/6 rc tanks made!

Larry drove there just to see the Armortek AFVs. He's a 1/16 'tanker' who regularly attends the battle weekends there on their BIG inside field. Him and his wonderful wife met me when I arrived at the motel and let the way to AAF and helped unload. Then the next day he helped by driving the tanks around and also helped me load'em up in the van.

Johnny Johnson, who did an outstanding job coordinating and setting up this event, took pictures/videos so maybe he'll post'em. He even built an EXCELLENT bridge for our vehicles to drive over! He was solely instrumental in making the FIRST organized U.S. Armortek Meet a GREAT SUCCESS this weekend!

Here's the few pictures I took of just a few of the MANY tanks they have. (Just LOOK at the M113 and the Sherman with the dozer blade! THEY sure would be interesting Armortek kits wouldn't they??!!!)

Mike

[Armortek]

Sounds like you guys had a great time Mike. Look forwards to the photographs.
Which one of your models was the star of the show ?

Kian

[johnny johnson]

Had to be the Panzer 4 at least in my mind.

[Mike Conley]

Hi Kian!

I only drove a couple of times and relied on Johnny, Larry and his wife Brenda (who has her own 1/16 tank), to drive'em the most so there were usually two to three Armorteks driving at any one time. The museum has a GLASS SMOOTH, sealed concrete floor so after five hours of driving the batteries were still practically fully charged at the end.

I mostly hung around the tables talking to people, answering questions about'em because all my 'drivers' would point to me for answers. But it seemed to me the tanks that were out the most continuously were (in order of preference) the Tiger 1, Panzer IV, Panther, and the Sherman-M3 being equal.

The Tiger 1 then Panther, being the largest, drew the most attention (especially when I was asked the WEIGHT!). The Panzer IV was a 'happy little tank' too! Johnny's bridge was excellent and showed the suspensions working and people took pics/videos of that.

To me was the joy hearing that quick 'tac-tac-tac-tac' and squeeking of the tracks of the Tiger, P4, and Panther inside the building on that smooth concrete floor! If there wasn't anybody for me to talk to I just sat behind the tables watching and listening. People would come by, get down on one knee, and look at the little tools, detailing, and figures and THAT'S when the questions would start.

I've never shown my Armorteks around here because there's no shows. Here at home I'M the only one driving my loved Armorteks around but at AAF I really enjoyed seeing other trusted 'tank drivers' running them around so I could watch and listen. Johnny, Larry, & Brenda had a BLAST running'em and I was happy! There were many people taking pictures and videos, asking questions, and practically ALL of them having never SEEN such large rc tank before!

On Friday, the day before the Saturday flamethrower event, when we arrived at the back doors of the museum (and that IS a really big museum!) most of the museum staff came out to watch them being unloaded. There were BIG EYES when I opened that cargo van door, put the ramps down, and started driving these BIG 1/6 METAL RC TANKS OUT! After seeing them they were VERY ACCOMIDATING to us! Those staff guys hung around our tables where the tanks were parked and again on Saturday cause they liked to see'em driven around!

We all had a very fine time and right now I plan to go again next year. But would sure like to get MORE Armortek owners to show up then! They'd have a wonderful time showing off THEIR Armortek AFVs!!

Mike (P.S.: The room I had at the motel was really nice and off the lobby was a Mexican Restaurant with a BAR! BIG FROSTY MUGS of ICE COLD A-DULT LIBATIONS!! I WAS HAPPY!!)

[johnny johnson]

Here we are in Danville, VA! Here are some of my favorites from the flame thrower event.

HOT

FLAME

THROWER

[johnny johnson]

Best picture yet! Mike working on his tank using his 2' long Panther barrell to beat on his half track!

[johnny johnson]

More Pictures (Sherman)

[johnny johnson]

More Pictures (Panther)

(Ammo carrier)

[johnny johnson]

[johnny johnson]

[johnny johnson]

Either one of these would make a great Armortek model!

[Robert E Morey]

Mike
What a great Armortek collection you have. That must have been one large truck to haul all those! Great pictures, I love the ground looking up at the models, makes them look 1:1. Sherman, M3, Pz4 are super cool. Awesome bridge! Great see what has been a 1/16 scale event being more represented by 1/6 scale! We need more events like this! Way to go!
Bob

[Mike Conley]

Thanks Bob!

We didn't want to use my '05 F150 because it couldn't hold that many tanks AND the bed isn't waterproof if it rains. We rented an 9 foot U-Haul cargo van (which ALSO gets BETTER gas mileage than the truck!) My wife and I loaded up 1400 pounds of Armorteks and put 4"x4"s and foam between'em and LUCKILY there was no transport damage. Total rental mileage was 692.

Johnny did an EXCELLENT job on that bridge and he said he would refine it even more before the next meet. We had a really good time and got to see the museum.

Here's pics of when we loaded'em. We loaded/unloaded two times trying to fit the 222 in but couldn't do it. I had the little 222 all cleaned up with batteries charged and it was excited to be going!... but there was no room... I felt really bad about that... it kept trying to get in the van... I felt so sad when I had to run it back in the garage and put it to bed...

Mike

[Brian Ostlind]

Looking good and very realistic!