STEUBENVILLE - Zombies beware. A retired military Humvee may be hunting you down.
The Wells Township Haunted House was able to obtain a military Humvee that has been transformed into a "Zombie assault vehicle."
Wells Township Police Capt. Sean Norman said the vehicle had only 16,000 miles when it was driven back from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.
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ZOMBIES ASSAULT — Zombies need to be looking over their shoulder because of a new vehicle from the Wells Township Haunted House. Wells Township Police Capt. Sean Norman, who is in the turret, said the township was able to get a military Humvee for free. The Humvee will be on display at the haunted house when it opens on Sept. 28. -- Mark Law
"We didn't pay a dime for it. The military said take it or it will be scrapped by them," Norman said.
Stilwell Auto Sales outside Rayland did all the repairs to the vehicle, including the painting, Norman said. Haunted house volunteers did body work repairs. He said a bullet hole in the rear of the vehicle was left to keep a part of its history.
The machine gun in the turret obviously was removed but Norman said a mock-up of a 50-caliber machine gun was built for the vehicle. The gun doesn't fire bullets, but a propane and oxygen hookup allows it to shoot an 18-inch flame, Norman said.
Smaller fake machine guns were mounted on the hood, and a sound system inside the Humvee plays the sound of gunfire.
The haunted house traded in an unused furnace at the house for custom rims, and LED flashing lights were bought and installed for free.
Paula Martin of Follansbee did the graphics, and First Class Customs of Wintersville provided seat covers. Other donors included Blue Ribbon Rentals of St. Clairsville, Thorn Web Designs of Amsterdam and Tire USA of Follansbee.
Norman said any money spent on the Humvee came from proceeds from the haunted house.
"The haunted house is self-sufficient. All the funds to operate the Humvee come from admissions and concessions," he said.
Norman said there are plans for more improvements and additions to the Humvee, which will make appearances in area parades.
The haunted house begins on Sept. 28 and will be open on weekends from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Norman said the haunted house has a staff of about 150, with 120 being juveniles. Norman said police officers from all over the area also donate time at the haunted house.
