I want to drive something like this. Is it actually possible? This year’s bucket list is mainly focused on land adventures. This would be one hell of a ride. I didn’t think flying a jet pack was possible, but I accomplished that last year. Driving a tank would definitely fit in the extreme category.
What’s the craziest thing you drove?
Bucket List Publications 
I was fortunate enough to take the controls of a fighter jet during an incentive flight. It was an F-16.
LikeLike
Sold! I’m now following you on wordpress and twitter and I’ll check back regularly. Any woman who takes the controls in flight is a friend of mine 🙂
LikeLike
Haha! Here’s the post about it: http://kittyknievel13.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/incentive-flight-in-an-f-16/
LikeLike
That is a pretty bad ass vehicle! Never driven anything crazy in my life, so wouldn’t mind testing that one out :).
LikeLike
I saw this several years ago when I was in France. After looking through the photos, it got me thinking… can I drive one of those? Is there a company out there that offers something like this? I’m pretty good at making things happen but I don’t know if this is within the realm of possibility. I’m going to look into it 🙂
LikeLike
Look what I found for you http://driveatank.com/
LikeLike
I guess I’m one of Lesley’s few followers who is not an ‘adventure’ freak so don’t follow her for this reason, but this drive a tank link made even me think it’s “something you should do before you die”. I drove a single seater hovercraft when they were something very new – on a lake in the 1960s. They handle a bit differently and I broke it when it took to the land.
LikeLike
I would be too tempted to run things over with it 🙂
LikeLike
I think that’s the point of driving it 😉
LikeLike
That is why I would get one! 🙂
LikeLike
I would love to fly in an F-16. Only thing I flew was a small 2 seater plane, or as Iike to call it – a metal box with wings.
LikeLike
It was an amazing experience even though I threw up half of the flight http://kittyknievel13.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/incentive-flight-in-an-f-16/
LikeLike
Whoa! That is one serious machine! And I’ll bet you will get a chance to operate it!
The most unusual piece of machinery I’ve operated was a J.I. Case 580D Construction King loader/backhoe. It was pretty cool, but a bit dangerous with me at the controls. 🙂
http://47andfearless.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/baby-got-backhoe/
LikeLike
I drove my parents up the wall.
Probably not the answer you were looking for.
LikeLike
I say you should go for it. Based off of your previous adventures, where there’s a will, there’s definitely a way. No crazy tanks for me, “most extreme” vehicle for me was a trip in a family member’s sportscar. 🙂
LikeLike
That’s little more than an APC. (armored personnel carrier) They have a top speed of about 40 mph and can’t drive over much. What you want to drive is an Abrams MIA1 Main Battle Tank. 🙂 I do believe there are places you can take a ride… but unless you are actually driving in some kind of course, it’s about like driving a tractor. A big heavy tractor. Since you asked, I flew a UH1 Iroquois helicopter better known as a Huey for a couple of years. That’s a little more fun than driving a tank.
LikeLike
I have quite a bit of flight experience, never enough; I could live in the sky, but some type of tank is appealing. A course might be the way to go 😉
LikeLike
Yeah, but my flying was what we called “sporty.” I wouldn’t wish that on you or anyone.
But here you go…
http://adventuretravel.about.com/od/usadventureresorts/qt/Drive-A-Tank-Drive-Authentic-Military-Tanks.htm
LikeLike
I’ve driven an M1A1. I was a heavy wheel/light track mechanic. Only female in my platoon!
LikeLike
Our old neighbor is a hobbyist and he has one from WWII. It’s pretty neat! We have pictures of the kids sitting in it but never have gone for a spin 🙂
LikeLike
You rode a jet pack?? *instant virtual love*
Watch, you’re going to find THIS very tank and the whoever is guarding it will give you the keys with out discussion just because you flew in on a jet pack.
..or theyll get in it and shoot you down 😮
youll do something equally as awesome 🙂
you are cool
LikeLike
Oh! My! God! I WANT!!!!
LikeLike
Drove Panama’s version of a mini van full of drunk airmen across the Bridge of the Americas. A wood block for a brake pedal and vice grips where the steering wheel used to be. Never let people know you don’t drink when you go to foreign countries. You’ll quickly be everyone’s best friend.
LikeLike
I had to drive a vibratory asphalt roller when i went to work for a construction company… as a graphic designer… they wanted me to have personal experience with the equipment I was advertising…. it was in the company parking lot and they were lucky I didn’t side swipe the employees’ cars! The other vehicle was while I was the passenger in my EX-husband’s single engine airplane… he let go of the controls and told me unless I took over we would crash into the mountain ahead of us. Did I mention he is my EX-husband?
LikeLike
That would be awesome! Let us know if you get the chance!
LikeLike
You can do anything. Don’t ever think you can’t. 🙂
LikeLike
Craziest thing I ever drove? That would have to be a D9… kinda, sorta without permission though. You know the story…
Its summertime… bunch of teens out at the lake… county is doing some construction work… they left their ‘toys’ out… one teen dares another… next thing you… little old me… sitting in the cab, cranking that big diesel over! My BFF Talia had to help me though… the D9 is a lot of ‘cat’ for this girl! Lol!!
LikeLike
No fighter jets unfortunately, but I did take the controls—and land—a 2-seater Cesna once. The pilot—my date for the evening—gave me the controls and talked me through it. Whew! Quite a thrill.
LikeLike
I got to ride along in a snowcat grooming a pretty wild mountain pass. It was pretty cool seeing huge drifts and even cornices leveled with ease. You’ve got me thinking it’d be pretty awesome to drive one.
LikeLike
Some would say my motorcycle! I am a 58 year young woman!
Bobbie Murphy Your Active Travel Pro 513.708.1803 Sent from my I-Phone
LikeLike
Lesley, check out this site. http://driveatank.com/
LikeLike
Your enthusiasm is captivating and I’m happy you are living your dream. I have never driven anything unconventional. Although, I must say, I feel like I’m driving a plane every time I land or take off from the runway in Unalaska, AK (PADU). I have a grip so tight on both sides of the seat cushion that I just know I’m being a big help to the pilot in flying the plane. It’s phenomenal. With that excitement to look forward to, I don’t go looking for extra!
LikeLike
You so have to come check this place out – http://www.comeplayinthedirt.com/ All kinds of fun stuff to play with!
LikeLike
Favorite ride: My Surly Necromancer Pugsley in deep snow. However, that tank would come in a close second!
LikeLike
I would so love a tank, just for the tailgaters.
LikeLike
I had the opertunity to drive and load a D9 dozer on a flatbed trailer.
LikeLike
You should be able to drive vehicles like that, you just have to find a community of military enthusiasts in your area, a lot of them own tanks, IFVs, APCs, but usually decommissioned and older vehicles. Museums might let you as well.
LikeLike
I’ve driven a couple of huge boats and tugs, thanks to my tugcapt hubs! you go, girl, with that tank driving! I bet it could easily get accomplished through PR at Camp Pendleton!
LikeLike
I believe you can, as long as you make sure the firing trigger is deactivated
LikeLike
I’d say the craziest thing I ever drove was a van filled with excited campers – destination, white water rafting. Can’t wait to hear about the tank drive!
LikeLike
You flew a JET PACK?! That is definitely one of the coolest things ever!
LikeLike
Yes, you can do it in southern California, as well as a few other places. Super cool for sure 🙂
LikeLike
That’s an armoured car, not a tank … and I have driven one; rather like an ordinary car, but much more fun! Craziest thing I ever drove was, I think, a thing called a ‘Supacat’ … think of a quad bike, but with six wheels. (If you ever saw the TV series ‘The Banana Bunch’, there was something like it in the titles … we were singing the signature tune for most of the afternoon!)
LikeLike
Well, I want the full tank experience. Some people suggested Minnesota. have you heard anything about that experience? When did you drive a tank? I’d love to hear about it 🙂
LikeLike
I haven’t driven a tank, just an armoured car. We were loading some on to our aircraft, and the Army lads let us have a clutch around the airfield in one. Not sure where you can get to drive a tank … but I’m sure that someone, somewhere, offers the ‘experience’. (I take it joining the Army is out of the question? 😀 )
LikeLike
I live in Minnesota, but I’ve never heard of a place for civilians to drive tanks. Not that it doesn’t exist, I just haven’t heard of it. We have a few National Guard armories and posts, so who knows. My son is National Guard, but he deals with heavy wheeled vehicles, not tanks.
My dad, brother, husband and a few uncles were military, and it seems all branches are very closed about their track vehicles. I wonder if there’s a civilian company with full-on tanks for your adventure… maybe retired tanks?
Thanks for liking my post, by the way! I guess I chose my adventures to be in the kitchen and raising 5 sons and 1 daughter! 😀
LikeLike
I used to taxi aircraft, had a licence for DC10 MD11 and 767. You can not imagine how great it was to drive those aircraft around some of the biggest airports in the world.
LikeLike
A tank?! Impossible…lol!
LikeLike
I drove a bus for ten years – even got one airborne at one stage. That was interesting! lol. I also drove a forklift when I did a six week stunt as a milk delivery driver. No expertise, no know how, just got told to get in and drive it. I did okay. lol
LikeLike
you are so awesome! you inspire me to be more adventurous (as i haven’t driven anything extreme : ) !! i’ll just live through you!
LikeLike
http://driveatank.com/pricing.html
LikeLike
The craziest thing that I’ve driven that didn’t have four legs was a very old ex-army Landrover with dodgy brakes and a lousy gear change – in Scotland. Swerving corners on steep inclines wasn’t such a problem but avoiding tourists when driving through the holiday village of Girvan was a challenge. Flinging yourself in front of oncoming traffic is a local pastime. Good luck with the tank thing although flattening things you can’t see may diminish the thrill
LikeLike
I ‘ve been in a tank and driven a HETS. Heavy Equipment Mover. They are 2000 TON trucks. It was like driving a 2 story house down the roads on the courses. I been in a fighter pilot simulator and that is the end of flying except some crazy pilots while I was in Korea.
I want to fly through the grand canyon in a helicopter. That is a canyon you have to see in person. There are no pictures that can capture it.
LikeLike
I used to own a 1991 Volvo 240 Polar. Looks and feels like a tank.
Good luck, I’m sure you can do it!
LikeLike
ahahahahaha – send us a pic if you do 🙂
LikeLike
An Army Stryker, or maybe an M88 Recovery Vehicle =o) But its cheating I think if your IN the Army right?
________________________________
LikeLike
Pingback: Is It Possible? Driving an Army Tank « S K Y
It sounds really exciting!
LikeLike
River Kayaks. But I was crap. Every time i went over the tiniest rapids, I pulled the skirt.
LikeLike
Right there with you – would love to drive something like that. Craziest thing I’ve ever been given control of was a helicopter. Friend was flying it and handed controls over to me – she must have been mad!
LikeLike
I once rode a bus, with public on it, single mums struggling with prams and shopping, drunks trying to navigate a route home, teenage dirtbags with filthy mouths, loud speakers plugged in ears, forced to budge up to realise my seat was damp…toughest ride of my life.
LikeLike
I love the movie tank girl so GO FOR IT!!!!!
LikeLike
I’m pretty tame compared to you but I do drive or should I say steer a canal boat and I used to help my hubby tree felling and drove an old grey 1950’s Ferggy tractor.
I love your blog. :0
LikeLike
I’m super jealous! I would love to drive something like that! And I thought I was all bad driving my lifted Superduty! LOl
LikeLike
It’s not a tank, but the Hummer plant in South Bend, IN, used to offer ride and drives on their off-roading course. I don’t know if they still do, but it’s worth looking in to.
Craziest vehicle? I once drove a ton and a half truck … That’s it. I don’t think ATVs count 🙂
LikeLike