Ropkey Armor Museum, Military museum in Crawfordsville, United States
The Ropkey Armor Museum was a military museum in Crawfordsville that displayed military vehicles, tanks, anti-tank guns, and restored aircraft in a dedicated exhibition hall and workshop building. The collection included operational military equipment such as the M56 Scorpion anti-tank gun, Cadillac V-8 tank engine, and World War II era tanks.
The museum was founded in 1982 by Fred Ropkey, a former Marine Corps Tank Platoon leader, and relocated from Indianapolis to Crawfordsville in 2004. It closed to the public in 2017.
The museum played a role in preserving military vehicles and lent its M4 Sherman tank to the 1984 film 'Tank' with James Garner. This work with the film industry showed how valuable the collection was for documenting military equipment.
The museum had indoor exhibits as well as outdoor areas for larger vehicles and aircraft. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore both sections.
The Bell X-14B aircraft was the only one ever manufactured and remained a centerpiece of the museum's collection. This rare research aircraft drew aviation enthusiasts interested in experimental aircraft development.
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