❗️HELP US GET THE FV4005 RUNNING❗️
We are on a mission to restore the FV4005 tank to running condition for TANKFEST 2024.
We need your help to raise £20,000 – to match the amount generously pledged by
@worldoftanks
.
️Find out how you can help:
TANKFEST showcases an unparalleled line-up of historic and modern running armour, from the Museum’s collection, to the British Army's current operational vehicles. Saturday and Sunday, sold out. Friday tickets are selling fast! Book Today:
6 June 1944: Operation Overlord begins with D-Day. Thousands of Allied men and tanks pour onto the beaches of Normandy and secure a beachhead. Though the Nazis will cling on for some time, this heralds the end of the Reich. For more on the D-Day tanks:
The Panzer III was conceived in 1934 as the principal combat tank of the Panzer divisions. See the Museum's Panzer III in action in the arena alongside other star vehicles at TANKFEST:
Today, at Tiger Day, a dramatic battle was re-enacted to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Tiger 131's capture, after being knocked out by the Churchill. Find out more:
The capture of Tiger 131 was an incredible opportunity for the Western Allies. With a functioning Tiger, they could learn its strengths and weaknesses, and then decide how best to destroy them in the field. See Tiger 131 in action this Tiger Day Spring.
With only a few hours left of the year we thought we would share just some of the highlights from 2023!
We hope you all have a very Happy New Year!🎉
See you in 2024!😃
This M-50 started life as a Sherman M4A4 during WW2. It was then repurposed for the Israeli Defence Force with a new gun and redesigned as an M-50. Its paint scheme was designed to blend in with the blue sky when high on a ridge line.
*NEW UPLOAD* The hilariously outlandish and tank-loving YouTuber Lazerpig came to see us recently. Not only did he pick out his Top 5 Tanks from our collection… but he honoured us with his very first on-camera appearance. Neither will disappoint! Watch:
*TANKFEST STAR* The Comet was probably the best British tank developed during World War II and was roughly comparable to the German Panther, although the German tank entered service 18 months earlier than the British one. For more TANKFEST stars:
We are on a mission to restore this iconic tank to running order by TANKFEST 2024!
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far🙏🏼
🔗Find out more:
The hilariously outlandish and tank-loving YouTuber Lazerpig came to see us recently. Not only did he pick out his Top 5 Tanks from our collection, but he honoured us with his very first on-camera appearance. Watch the full episode over on our YT Channel:
We often get asked if our Sherman Fury tank is really from the 2014 Hollywood blockbuster 'Fury' - the answer is yes! See inside the Fury at our premium experience ‘Fury’ day and discover everything you need to know about the Sherman Tank.
👀The Tiger 131 will return to the Kuwait arena for the first time in 2024 this Saturday. 81 years on from its capture.
🤝Let us know if you’re coming! Just 24 hours left to get your early bird Tiger Day Autumn tickets.
🔍️
In this footage you’re looking at over 100 tons of heavy metal moving, and as you can see in one shot here, you can see what that feels like💥
🔍️Find out more on the Tiger II:
13 June 1944: The Battle of Villers-Bocage begins with Michael Wittmann’s famous ambush of the British 22nd Armoured Brigade. The British are driven from the town, but they retreat in good order, destroying six tigers in the process. For more on the Tigers
The Vickers Machine Gun could use indirect fire to target enemies outside of visual range. Known as barrages, these operations required specialist training and preparation, as well as large quantities of MGs, ammunition and water (for barrel-cooling) to be fully effective.
Looking for a Christmas gift for a tank-fan, or fancy treating yourself to something special? 🎄🎅🏼
We are still offering a limited number of £50 supporter packages which include the opportunity to see your name on the turret of the FV4005!
Learn more:
90 seconds of Tiger 131. If you attended Tiger Day Autumn 🍁, you might even spot yourself in the crowd!
Tickets for Tiger Day Spring are on sale now. Book:
This WWII Panzer I tank ran for the first time in the UK at Tiger Day and will run in the arena at TANKFEST 2023! This authentic replica will come all the way from Spain. Find out more:
We were honoured to host Captain Sir Tom Moore at The Tank Museum, in 2007. He served with distinction in the Royal Armoured Corps during the Second World War and carried on serving his country through the recent pandemic. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.
Sadly, one of this year’s special TANKFEST guests the Nashorn was unable to come. Due to circumstances beyond the control of either the Friends of the Nashorn or The Tank Museum, the vehicle was prevented from crossing the channel. We hope to see the Nashorn at TANKEFST 2024!
Today HRH The Duke of Kent today opened a new Royal Armoured Corps memorial and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the Museum’s Centenary. The new Memorial Room honours the sacrifice of almost 13,000 RAC soldiers who have died in service since 1939.
Take a look inside the famous Tiger 131! In recognition of the 80th anniversary of its capture, we have released a special publication featuring new and updated research, technical specifications and details of its restoration programme in the 1980s. Shop
The Tank Museum workshop have recently brought our Bergepanzer 2 back to life after many years of being in a non-running state. The power pack was removed and started externally which makes it easier for the team to ensure the engine is running correctly
TANKFEST GUEST 🚨
The M3 Grant is coming to TANKFEST! This rare tank was used extensively in gunnery trials (with 494 holes to prove it) but rescued from the ranges. Restored by C&C Military, it's the world’s oldest running American Medium tank.
One of the smallest, yet eye-catching, tanks we have at the museum is the L3/35, also known as the Carro Veloce.
📽️For more videos on tanks, join our YouTube community today:
#tank
#tankmuseum
This guest vehicle was definitely a head turner at TANKFEST 2024! Once a range target, this M3 Grant was restored to working order, with a majority of the cosmetic damage conserved.
🔍️Find out more about the M3 grant:
One of the most imaginative and original tank designs of all time - the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 S or S-Tank - it dispenses with a turret and aims the main gun by moving the vehicle.
*ON THIS DAY* 29 August 1942: The Tiger makes its combat debut south-east of Leningrad as part of the 502nd Heavy Tank Battalion. See the world's only running Tiger I in The Tank Museum's arena this Tiger Day:
It has been an incredible journey to restore the FV4005 in partnership with World of Tanks, A W Hewes and our FV4005 supporters. 🙏 👀Watch FV4005 in the arena live this Sunday 1pm;
Murray Walker OBE has sadly passed away, aged 97. Well-known as the voice of F1, he was known to the Museum as a WW2 Veteran, commanding Sherman tanks in the Royal Scots Greys. He was a great supporter of The Tank Museum & will be missed personally by many of the Museum staff.
The FV4005 has arrived! Restorations like these are possible thanks to our generous supporters. Support The Tank Museum to preserve vehicles like the FV4005.
Join now for behind-the-scenes content, free entry, discounts, and more!
🔍️ Find out more:
Our Tiger II (P) has returned to The Museum following its European tour of museums in Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland. 👀Find out more about the Tiger II with David Willey;
☄️This may be a Comet, but currently, you’re listening to the beautiful sound of a Meteor. 🤤
The Rolls-Royce Meteor produces a lovely sound, see more on the Comet here:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
*TANKFEST STAR* The Panzer III was conceived in 1934 as the principal combat tank of the Panzer divisions. The Museum's Panzer III went into action in North Africa during WW2 and is believed to have been captured at the Battle of Alam Halfa in 1942.
🚀Our Workshop has recently brought our Bergepanzer 2 back to life after many years of being in a non-running state. The power pack was removed & started externally, which makes it easier to observe 📽️For more videos on tanks, join our YouTube community:
The Tiger II, also known as the King Tiger, is one of many German heavy tanks we have here at The Tank Museum. It was designed to be a bigger and better version of the infamous Tiger I.
Want to see more videos on tanks? Join our YouTube community today:
A Centurion lies at rest under thick snow during the Korean War, where the Centurion proved itself. When the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars covered the retreat of 29th Brigade, the Centurions armament and speed saved dozens of lies. For more, see:
Meet the all new Challendeer 1! Originally a Challenger 1 prototype, it’s been extensively modified and re-purposed to serve St. Nicholas this Christmas. Learn more about it over on our Instagram reels:
One of the most imaginative and original tank designs of all time - the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 S or S-Tank - it dispenses with a turret and aims the main gun by moving the vehicle.
The Tiger 131 got a washdown this week! This Tiger was captured on 24th April 1943 on Point 174 on the way between Medjez el Bab and Montarnaud in Tunisia, by 142nd Battalion RAC and 2nd Sherwood Foresters. Find out more:
16 April 1945: The Battle of Nuremberg begins as the American 7th Army with tanks, artillery and air support assault the city. By the 20th, the garrison surrenders and the Stars and Stripes are raised over the city. More about the tanks used in the battle:
The turret of the FV4005 has arrived at AW Hewes, who will now mount it on a Centurion Mark 3 chassis. Big shoutout to all those who have supported the project 🙏 Who is looking forward to seeing the FV4005 in the arena at TANKFEST 2024? 🙋 👀Check out
The Tank Museum’s King Tiger V2’s loan to Panssarimuseo – The Parola Armour Museum in Finland will now be extended until March 2024 due to the successful impact on the number of visitors for the museum. Learn more about King Tiger:
A WW1 Luger Pistol has been donated by the local Wiltshire Police. An inscription in the holster, reads ‘Souvenir of the Big Advance at Cambrai November 1917’. Given the significance of the Battle of Cambrai, this donation is of real significance to the collection.
The A7V was the first tank that Germany ever produced. It was almost the size of a small house🏠️, weighed 32 tonnes and had a crew of 18 men!
📽 Want to watch more videos on tanks? Join our YouTube community today:
#tank
#tankmuseum
#A7Vtank
When we need FamTheTankMan to go and film some tanks for us, he sometimes gets distracted... For more videos like this, head over to our Instagram Reels:
Excited for Tiger Day Spring this April? Take a glimpse of what you can expect to hear when the Tiger drives out for the first time in 2024.
🔗Get your tickets here:
The Panzer IV was the most numerous German-built tank of the
Second World War. The first models were built in limited
numbers to support Panzer IIIs, but it was soon found
that the larger Panzer IV had greater upgrade potential.
More on Instagram Reels:
Take a look at one of the most unusual vehicles in our collection... The Praying Mantis. Want to see more videos on tanks? Join our YouTube community today:
We have some sad news. Due to a mechanical failure the T54 will now no longer be attending TANKFEST 2024.
In better news, we can report that the FV4005 has had a practice rampage in the arena!
Here is the FV4005 arriving! 👀
Pictured are Churchill tanks with their crews in Italy, 17 May 1944. Picture belonged to Lance Corporal E. Perkins, who said, “Rations are shared out among tank crews before moving off. Tanks are RHQ 51st RTR I knew them all. Several didn’t make it home''
Tiger Day is fast approaching!🔥
See a WWII tank display and explore The Tank Museum on a day dedicated to the world’s most infamous tank.
Tiger 131 only runs twice a year at Tiger Day – so you can’t afford to miss it!
🎟️Grab you tickets today!:
We say farewell to the Type 95 Ha-Go. This tank will be missed, but we wish it the best of luck in its new home. Watch the Ha-Go leaving the Musuem here:
*TANKFEST GUEST* The world’s only running Nashorn will be making its UK debut at TANKFEST 2023. Nicknamed the Nashorn ‘Phoenix’ after restoration was delayed by a devastating fire, this WW2 German ‘Tank Hunter’ is one of just three Nashorns in the world.
The AMX 13 was a French light tank that entered service in 1953. It was a huge success. Over 7000 were built for almost 30 countries, and it was developed into dozens of variants. Check out AMX 13 roaring around our arena back at TANKFEST 2021:
The Tank Museum is home to the only known surviving Mark I in the world.
📽️ Learn more about it over on our YouTube Channel:
#tank
#tankmuseum
#firstworldwar
📷️Do you have a picture of you and the FV4005 when it stood as a gate guardian at The Tank Museum?
We would love to see your photos. Please drop them below!
The Panzer III was conceived in 1934 as the principle combat tank of the Panzer divisions. The Museum's Panzer III went into action in the North African during WW2 and is believed to have been captured at the Battle of Alam Halfa, in 1942.
This T-72 was built in Poland in 1984 and remained in service until 2013. It’s painted in green camouflage and has Polish Army markings on the turret. It was acquired by the Museum in 2014 from the Land Forces Museum Poland in exchange for a Chieftain Mk11
The Centaur III will be running for the first time at TANKFEST 2023. Part of the Bannister Collection, this Centaur III was modified into a Dozer prior to D-Day but has now been fully converted back to a gun tank. For more TANKFEST guests:
The AMX 13 is a French light tank that entered service in 1953 and enjoyed huge success. Over 7000 were built for almost 30 countries, and it was developed into dozens of variants. The AMX 13 has seen extensive combat, mainly with Israel and India.
28 July 1917: The Tank Corps is formed, meaning tanks and tank crews have been recognised as a separate and distinctive part of the British Army. Granted the ‘Royal’ title in 1923, in April 1939 it adopts the name it still holds today: The Royal Tank Regiment.
Today marks the 80th anniversary of the capture of Tiger 131 in Tunisia by British forces at Point 174. This was the first Tiger to be captured intact by the Western Allies. Find out why people are still fascinated by Tiger 131:
🎉£20,000 in 24 hrs! 🎉 We have been overwhelmed by your support for our project to return the FV4005 to running order for TANKFEST 2024. We would like to thank all our supporters who have contributed.
#FV4005
#thetankmuseum
Ever wondered what happens when you mix a tank and motorbike? 🤔 Enter the Kettenkrad!
📽️For more videos like this, follow FamTheTankMan on TikTok:
#tank
#tankmuseum
#kettenkrad
The Nashorn, nicknamed the ‘Phoenix’ after rising from the ashes after a workshop fire. See this German tank destroyer of World War II in action for the first time in the UK at TANKFEST 23–25 June. Take a look at which guest vehicles will be appearing:
For many years TOG II was a curiosity at The Tank Museum. Thanks to
@worldoftanks
, it has seen a surge in popularity. The single TOG II was completed in March 41. Trials and tests continued until 44, when the project was finally abandoned.
It might not seem particularly impressive, but the M14/41 is one of our more uncommon vehicles in our collection. For more videos like this follow FamTheTankMan on TikTok:
21 May 1940: The Battle of Arras begins with British tanks descending on the German 7th Panzer Division. British Matilda tanks wreak havoc among the German column and buy time for the evacuation at Dunkirk. For more on Matilda II:
Produced from 1941 – 1942 the Italian M14-41 was one of the main tanks used by Italian forces in World War Two. For more videos like this, follow FamTheTankMan on TikTok:
24th April 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of the capture of Tiger 131 in Tunisia. Tiger Day, 22nd April, will feature a special battle re-enactment of Tiger 131’s capture to mark the anniversary. But why is Tiger 131 so popular?
After over 100 Tank Chats and 23 million views, Historian David Fletcher MBE has decided to hang up his microphone and retire from Tank Chats. We take a look back at some of his best bits from the Tank Chat series and ask him what it was like to film them.
*JUST 4 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL TANKFEST 2023* The Museum’s Panzer III went into action in the North African theatre of war and is believed to have been captured at the Battle of Alam Halfa. See it in the arena 23 – 25 June. More:
#tank
#panzeriii
#TANKFEST2023
Despite eighty years of improvements in firepower, protection and mobility between the Mark V and Challenger 2, one factor hasn’t changed – the humans inside. Hear from the crew in our Challenger 2 Tank Chat
FV4005 UPDATE! 🛠️
The largest gun ever fitted to a tank, has now been removed as the next stage of the restoration.
🔍️Find out more about the FV4005 with David Fletcher;
The Panzer III was conceived in 1934 as the principal combat tank of the Panzer divisions. The Museum’s Panzer III went into action in the North African theatre of war and is believed to have been captured at the Battle of Alam Halfa. See it at TANKFEST:
*TANKFEST STAR* This beautifully restored M3A1 Stuart will be taking part in TANKFEST 2023! Find out what other vehicles will be appearing over the weekend:
📣 TANKFEST GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT
The AMX-13 is returning to TANKFEST 2024. Don't miss out on watching this speedy, light French tank zip around the arena!
🎟️Get your tickets now:
The first action of the German A7V tank, on March 21, 1918, is not very well known from the British side. However, we now have a German account to work from. Read on our World War One blog:
The M22 Locust light tank is a fan favourite and one of the smallest tanks at The Tank Museum.
👀Want to see more videos on tanks? Join our YouTube community today:
#tank
#tankmuseum
#m22locust
*TANKFEST STAR* The Churchill Mark III, one of the most iconic British tanks, will be running at TANKFEST 2023. Tough and powerful, like the wartime leader whose name it shares, the Churchill tank was a key British tank design of the period.
Challenger 2 sporting Multi Colour Digital Camouflage 5 (MCDC 5). A series of experiments testing vehicle camouflage have been taking place at Bovington – jointly run by the Armoured Trials and Development Unit and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.