ABOUT
US
The museum was started in the 1990's by Richard
Rench, a former Ohio State Trooper and Ohio State Representative, a long-time
collector of military equipment. He was assisted by his son Thomas E. Rench,
M.D., a doctor now working in Akron, Ohio.
The museum has grown from its start of
a single Korean war jeep to its present size of over 60 pieces of
military history. Military equipment from WWII, the Korean War, and
the Vietnam war is on display and is used for parades.
Almost all of the equipment is in working condition
and is available for rides.
The largest vehicle is the huge 60-ton M-60-A1
tank, while the smallest is the 1942 Harley-Davidson military motorcycle.
The museum
has 3 "Huey" UH-1H helicopters and one AH-1A "Cobra" attack helicopter.
Two of the Hueys are kept in flying condition and are available for rides.
Both "Hueys" are veterans of the Vietnam War. Most pilots used are also
Vietnam veterans, and most also were in the Gulf war.
The museum is believed to be the
only military museum that has original military "Hueys" in flying condition.
Both flying Hueys -- 66-00992 and
67-17658 -- are combat veterans of the Vietnam War.
The museum is always looking for
current helicopter pilots with over 2,000 hours experience in a "Huey".
Other persons, such as crew chiefs
and maintenance personnel, are encouraged to contact
the
museum.
p.s....What's
the Firelands, you may ask? That's the local name for our region of Northwest
Ohio area. Click here
for a bit of local history and to find out more about the Firelands.