Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
1. M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Marker
Equipped with a series of radical design changes, the M1 tank represented a marked departure from previous American tanks. The fire control system for its cannon was mounted with a laser rangefinder and thermal day/night sights for both the commander and gunner, rendering conventional camouflage useless. The M1 had a solid state ballistic fire control computer which automatically corrected for speed of target, barometric pressure, crosswinds, ammunition temperature, the angle of its gun trunnions, the wear on its barrel, and many other gunnery biases. It was also equipped with seven gyros used to stabilize the the main gun in all types of terrain. Similarly, the M1's Chobham composite armor made it possible to resist shaped charge warheads fired from a variety of infantry and aircraft weapon systems.
The Museum's Abrams is an example of an XM1 (serial number 004).
Vehicle Specifications
Armament: 1 x 105 mm M68 rifled cannon with 55 rounds, 1 x 50 callber M2 HB machinegun with 900 rounds, 2 x 30 caliber M240 machineguns with 11,000 rounds
Fire control range finder type: Neodymium yitrium aluminum garnet (YAG)laser
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Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, and driver)
Weight: 58 tons
Speed: 45 mph (governed)
Maximum effective weapons range: 4,000 m
Maximum armor thickness: classified (in excess of 2 ft)
Production: more than 7,000
Year entering service: 1981
[Captions:]
The M1 was named in honor of General Creighton Abrams, Commander of the 4th. Armored Division during the Second World War
SABOT petals separating from a long rod kinetic penetrator
Erected by Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Camp Shelby. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, 2nd Iraq • War, Afghanistan. A significant historical year for this entry is 1981.
Location. 31° 11.816′ N, 89° 13.427′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street, on the left when traveling north on Forrest Ave W. The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Forrest Ave W, Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America.
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
2. M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s Pine Belt. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M60 Patton Medium Tank (a few steps from this marker); OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter (a few steps from this marker); The Spirit of the Red Cross (within shouting distance of this marker); AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter (within shouting distance of this marker); M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker); M42 Duster Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); First Marine Division / Mississippi Medal of Honor Recipients (within shouting distance of this marker); M103A2 Heavy Tank (within shouting distance
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
3. M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Marker
The view of the U.S. Army tanks with the Abrams being the first on the left side.
More about this marker. The marker and the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum are located at the historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
4. M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank Marker
The full side view of the Abrams tank.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
