military museum near detroit displaying tanks

“Most of the parts were built or recreated from pictures, but that’s what we pride ourselves on-building what was lost to history,” said Becht. The 7-ton machine had very few original parts, and no blueprints. Over 18 months, Becht and his team, Grant Becht and Brian Bartholome, made slow-but-steady progress rebuilding the tank. It’s equipped with a machine gun and keeps a crew of two soldiers. Patton’s tank - a WWI-era M1917 - stands more than 7 feet tall and is 16 feet long.

“She told the (Indiana Military Museum) CEO, Jim Osborne, that we could do it.”

“It was my wife Janet who had the idea of rebuilding Gen. But his newest project was perhaps his most ambitious ever, and he knew he had to call on the best to make it a reality. “Randy’s tank project reinforced that one never will know it all.”īecht has been in the street rod business for many years, and throughout his career has restored military vehicles for museums and movie sets alike.

“I am amazed by the things I get to learn in this business,” Eaton said. But a call from Randy Becht, owner of Hoosier Restoration and Movie Props, particularly caught Mike Eaton’s attention.

Military museum near detroit displaying tanks