US Army Museum, M4A3 Jumbo “Cobra King”

At the US Army Museum at Fort Belvoir, is a M4A3 Jumbo named “Cobra King”. The history of this tank is that it was the first armored vehicle to reach encircled force as part of the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, this tank served as a gate guard in Europe, McKee Barracks in Crailsheim, Germany (1957-1967); at Ferris Barracks in Erlangen, Germany 1967-1993; and, later, Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany (1993-2008). In 2008, this vehicle was identified by Army historians after an Army chaplain began to do some research.

The vehicle was shipped to the United States where the Patton Museum did exterior restoration work along with sources era correct parts. Work was also done at Fort Benning before being sent to The US Army Museum for display.

Trip Report, Fort Benning, The U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection Open House, April 2023

In late April 2023, the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection held an Open House to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the collection. Not only was the main building available but bays housing a World War II German JagdPanther and JagdTiger tank destroyer were opened for display.

Additionally, a M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank and M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle from the U.S. Army Armor School ‘s 316th Cavalry Brigade were brought to the collection building for display. There was also a open invite to travel over to the Red Cloud range to watch a live fire demonstration to include an Abrams, Bradley and Stryker.

It was an amazing day at the collection.

German Tanks at the Armor and Cavalry Open House, Fort Benning April 2023

The US Army Armor and Cavalry Collection at Fort Benning, Georgia held an Open House and featured two WW2 German vehicles.

The first was a Jagdtiger (serial number 305020). It was produced in October 1944 and was attached to the 3rd Company of the s.Pz.Jg.Abt. 653, bearing the vehicle-number of 331. It was captured by American troops near Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany in March 1945. Shell damage is still visible on the gun mantlet, glacis plate and lower-nose armor. This vehicle used the later-version nine-tooth drive sprockets for use with the ‘contact shoe’ and ‘connector link’-style continuous track it shared with the Tiger II on which it was based.

The second was Jagdpanther (chassis number 303018) which was produced by MNH in November/December of 1944 and took part in the Ardennes Offensive, where it was captured and eventually taken to USA.

Trip report, Fort Benning, The U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection Open House

In December 2022, the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection held its first Open House in the new facility to allow the public to see the collection. This collection is not open to the public as the mandate to teach current and future armor troops. There is no funding to make this a day-to-day museum.

Staff and volunteers gained permission from Post leadership to have this event. Additional Open Houses are planned with the next one at the end of April 2023.

I have had the opportunity to see this collection 3 times and every time, I see more amazing things each time.

Images below are from the The U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection, Patton Park and the National Infantry Museum.