Tank
AUTUMN 2018 | ISSUE 39
Times
PUBLISHED BY THE TANK MUSEUM, BOVINGTON, DORSET BH20 6JG
TIGER DAYS THERE IS STILL ONLY ONE RUNNING TIGER TANK IN THE WORLD – AND THAT IS TIGER 131.
C
aptured by the British in Tunisia in 1943, Tiger 131 was the first of the new German Tiger tanks to be captured intact by the western Allies. It was in such good condition that it was sent back to the UK for evaluation and trials – which undoubtedly helped influence future British tank designs.
The Tiger Collection In a world first, The Tank Museum’s new Tiger Collection exhibition has brought every member of the Tiger Tank family together in one display. The Tiger Collection, supported by Wargaming, features the Museum’s Tiger I, two Tiger IIs, Jagdtiger and an Elefant tank on international loan – which has gone on public display in Europe for the first time since it was captured in 1944. The Elefant has been lent to The Tank Museum by US Army Ordnance Training and Heritage Center at Fort Lee, VA, by The United States Army Centre of Military History and is one of just two surviving examples of the 91 Elefants that saw service with German forces.
When it was donated to The Tank Museum in 1951 it was in something of a sorry state – but was restored to running order in 2004.
The one Tiger unable to be present – the Stürmtiger – is being represented using ground-breaking augmented reality, supplied by software developer Wargaming.
During the Second World War, for every hour the Tiger rank it required 10 hours of maintenance. Today it requires over 200.
The new exhibition, which was opened in April 2017, is aimed at enthusiasts of German armour and features new and previously unseen crew interviews and testimonies and accounts from those who faced them in action.
As a result Tiger 131 is only operated now operated twice a year during our Tiger Day events – proceeds for which help keep the tank in running condition. Real Tiger enthusiasts must be sure to get hold of Premium tickets for increased access to Tiger 131 and the other Panzers in our collection.
With veteran stories, supporting artefacts, unseen imagery and the stories unique to the vehicles on display, the exhibition showcases the Museum’s collection of what were arguably the most feared and famous tanks of the Second World War.
Tiger Day X takes place on 15 September 2018 and Tiger Day XI on 27 April 2019. For more information, see our website.
Find out more about Tiger Tanks on our Tiger Blog. Tiger-Tank.com
Tiger Merchandise The following Tiger products are available to buy from The Tank Museum shop and make great gifts for yourself or the Tiger fan in your life. Remember – every purchase from The Tank Museum supports our work in keeping history alive! tankmuseumshop.org
#39
CONSTRUCTION SETS
HAYNES MANUALS
T-SHIRTS
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The Tiger Collection
WHAT’S INSIDE?
TANK 1OO
CENTENARY AT THE TANK MUSEUM
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TANKFEST
SEE 2018 HIGHLIGHTS
PATREON
THE TIGER COLLECTION exhibition has been extended and will now be open until Autumn 2019.
SUPPORT THE MUSEUM
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AUT UMN 2018
THE TANK MUSEUM
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YouTube You can continue your Tank Museum experience at home, by visiting The Tank Museums’ popular YouTube Channel. The Museum’s YouTube channel features a wealth of videos about the First World War as well as popular series exploring the Museum’s collection.
Tank vs. Tank: Villers Bretonneux
‘The Tank Centenary’ playlist includes a short documentary on the first tank vs. tank battle, Villers-Bretonneux, and an in-depth look at the Battle of Cambrai; the First World War attack that secured the future of the fledgling Tank Corps. You can also hear from the descendants of the first Tank Men, in the ‘My Tank Ancestor’ series. See famous faces in ‘Top 5 Tanks’ and find out what the likes of Chris Barrie and Al Murray consider to be their favourite tanks.
British soldiers with a line of Mark IV tanks
TANK 1OO First World War Centenary at The Tank Museum The following books are available to buy from The Tank Museum shop. Remember – every purchase from The Tank Museum supports our work in keeping history alive! tankmuseumshop.org
Hear from Tank Museum experts in ‘Tank Chats’, where they’ll examine the tanks in the Museum’s collection. ‘The Matilda Diaries’ series takes a more mechanical view, as it follows the restoration of our Matilda II tank – as told by the team that have done it.
The Victoria Cross exhibition To mark the First World War Centenary, The Tank Museum has reunited each of the four Victoria Crosses won by the men of The Tank Corps during the conflict. The display in the Museum’s main entrance tells the story of these four heroic men, each of whom died during the action for which they were awarded their VC.
Victoria Cross medal
BRITISH BATTLE TANKS WORLD WAR ONE TO 1939
by David Fletcher MBE & The Tank Museum
And better yet – by subscribing to this channel and watching our videos, you are helping The Tank Museum raise funds through the advertising revenue the channel generates. To find this treasure trove of tank videos, head to YouTube and search The Tank Museum.
GREAT WAR TANK OWNERS’ WORKSHOP MANUAL
by David Fletcher MBE & The Tank Museum
Tank Corps Recipients of the VC: Wain, Sewell, Robertson, Annesley-West
Tank Men This exhibition, which was opened in 2016, explores the stories of eight men who served in tanks during the First World War. It features the world’s largest collection of First World War tanks and personal objects from the pioneers of tank warfare. THE TANK BOOK
by David Willey & The Tank Museum
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Find out more about tanks in the First World War on the Museum’s Tank 100 blog. Tank100.com
The Tank Men Exhibition
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AUT UMN 2018
THE TANK MUSEUM
Leopard 2 tank from the Royal Netherlands Army
TANKFEST
T
ANKFEST is the world’s best display of historic armour, held at The Tank Museum every year on the last weekend of June.
The annual armoured vehicle spectacular is The Tank Museum’s most important fundraising event, with over 20,000 visitors expected from across the globe. TANKFEST features unparalleled displays of mobile historic armour and modern British Army vehicles in the Museum arena. Alongside its own historic collection, each year the Museum also invites a number of guest vehicles from other collections.
Running at TANKFEST 2018 was the mighty IS-3 tank from the Belgian Royal Military Museum, the Second World War Char B1 from the French Tank Museum at Saumur, two First World War FT tanks from the Weald Foundation, the Marder III and Stug III from the collection of Jon Phillips, and the Leopard 2 from The Historic Collection of the Royal Netherlands Army. Visitors are also treated to a range of living history encampments, illustrating the living conditions and equipment used by soldiers from different countries through the 20th Century.
With a range of trade stands to browse and museum admission included, TANKFEST must surely be an essential entry in the diary of any true tank enthusiast. Tickets are on sale now for TANKFEST 2019, 28 – 30 June. Visit Tankfest.com for all the latest news and information on TANKFEST 2019.
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Model Tanks If models are your thing, The Tank Museum now hosts two scale model shows per year, the South West Model Show. Exhibitors from across the UK, will come to the Museum to display their creations. Miniature, remote control and scale models will all be on show, with designs from across the spectrum ranging from boats, planes, motor racing cars and of course militaria and armoured warfare models. If you’re inspired by what you see, The Tank Museum's own volunteer modelling association will be in attendance and will be on hand to give advice in creating your own miniature scale model. Get inspired and discover the hints and tricks behind making your own miniature. There will also be the chance to buy your own kits and accessories, from stalls around the Museum.
A Sherman tank
The Autumn South West Model Show takes place at The Tank Museum from 13 – 14 October 2018 and the Spring South West Model Show will be in early 2019. Annual passes are valid! Scan this QR Code WW2 Valentine tank
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Guest IS-3 tank from the Belgian Royal Military Museum
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AUT UMN 2018
THE TANK MUSEUM
Support The Tank Museum BECOME A FRIEND! A great way to support The Tank Museum is by becoming a Friend. A £30 Adult membership will give you free entry to The Tank Museum and a subscription to the tri-annual Tracklink magazine. Save 10% off lectures, special events, including TANKFEST, and selected experiences. You will also be entitled to 20% off entry to the Museum for three accompanying guests. Join online at TANKMUSEUMSHOP.ORG
Friends & Volunteers Day
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PATRONISE THE TANK MUSEUM Patreon.com is a membership platform which allows supporters and online followers of The Tank Museum to show their appreciation for The Tank Museum by making monthly donations in exchange for various benefits, like merchandise and access to exclusive content. So far, the Museum has raised over £16,000 through Patreon, which has allowed us to fund a year-long internship for a newly graduated film student. Patrons can receive early access to new Museum videos, behind the scenes videos, exclusive merchandise, Friends membership and even a private tour of the Museum. Visit patreon.com/tankmuseum to find out about the different tiers of membership on offer.
Early access to new videos
Although currency on Patreon is listed in $, any nationality can support The Tank Museum using this platform and they will be charged a small currency conversion free.
TRACKLINK If you are unable to take advantage of all the Friends benefits, you can now support The Tank Museum by subscribing to our tri-annual magazine Tracklink, from £18. Subscribe online at TANKMUSEUMSHOP.ORG
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Behind the Scenes with Curator David Willey
issue 99 SPRING 2018 PRICE £6
TRACKLINK MAGAZINE OF THE FRIENDS OF THE TANK MUSEUM
THE FIRST EVER TANK ON TANK
DUEL IS-3 VIETNAM VC OBSESSION TANK SPOTLIGHT
CENTURIONS IN
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THE WAIN
CHILDHOOD
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New Workshop opened by HRH Princess Anne in May
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THE TANK MUSEUM - THE WORLD’S BEST COLLECTION OF TANKS An Independent Museum and Registered Charity No 1102661
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