The Tank Museum

If it's too hot outside, sit back and relax with the Tank Chats series. It'll only take 6 hours and 11 minutes to watch them all https://www.youtube.com/playlist…

ODYSSEUS. Soldiers of the 5th Australian Brigade alongside a Mark V* of the 15th Tank Battalion. Both units were part of the first wave at Amiens, crossing the start line at 4:20am on 8th August 1918. The Battle of Amiens was the beginning of the road to victory for the Allies. The Tank Museum is marking Amiens 100 with a WW1 themed event, 8 August 2018. http://tankmuseum.org/whats-on/events/bov evt64445

4 years ago today The Tank Museum held an event to mark the start of the First World War. The poppy explosion hit headlines around the world. On 8th August, Amiens 100 will mark the beginning of the end of the First World War. http://www.tankmuseum.org/whats-on/events /bovevt64445

A member of 11 Troop, 6th Royal Tank Regiment takes aim. It’s 1956 and this photo was taken around the time of the Suez Crisis that October. Although this man is having fun, 12 years later one Australian Centurion driver would do this for real. During the intense North Vietnamese attack on the night of the 25/26th May 1968 NVA soldiers got so close to the Australian positions that Trooper John Dyson, the driver of Centurion callsign 32, was forced to open fire with his F1 sub-machinegun.

German prisoners bring in a wounded soldier on the 8th August. Up to 30,000 Germans surrendered over the four days of the Battle of Amiens, and there were many accounts of prisoners being taken after putting up minimal resistance, a sure sign that the German Army’s will to fight was fading. The Tank Museum is marking the beginning of the end of the war with a First World War themed event on 8 August 2018. http://www.tankmuseum.org/whats-on/events /bovevt64445

This is Challenger 2 prototype V5, one of 9 built by Vickers in Leeds during 1989 and 1990. At this point Challenger 2 wasn’t certain to be the British Army’s next tank. An open competition was to be held, allowing foreign designs to be submitted. The M1A2 Abrams, Leclerc and Leopard 2 were evaluated alongside Challenger in Spring 1991. A combination of political and military factors led to the choice of Challenger 2.

As an all-round, general purpose tank the Sherman was one of the best of World War II, but by 1943 it was getting past its prime. An officer at Lulworth Camp, near Bovington, came up with the idea of fitting a better gun, the British 76.2mm, known as the 17 pounder. The new design would be known as the Sherman Firefly.

The Tiger Raffle to ride in Tiger 131 is still on! http://tankmuseum.org/year-news/bovnews65 901

A Churchill Mark III and crew doing its job – supporting the infantry. British Infantry tanks like the Matilda, Valentine and Churchill were organised into Army Tank Brigades. These were units that could be assigned to support Infantry Divisions as needed. Infantry Divisions contained infantry, artillery, engineers etc, but had no armour of their own.

Our new temporary Victoria Cross Exhibition opens on Monday 6th August. See the new exhibition and a First World War tank display on 8th August at Amiens 100 http://tankmuseum.org/whats-on/events/bov evt64445

Challenger 1 34KA11 is maintained in running order as part of the Tank Museum’s Display fleet and regularly takes part in Tanks in Action displays throughout the school holidays. The tank entered service with the British Army in August 1983, making it one of the earliest of the 420 Challengers built. It was delivered as a Mark 1.

Last Chance to dine with David and Indy! Platinum packages for 8th August will be taken offline tomorrow. http://tankmuseum.org/whats-on/bovart6545 8

This is an inferior Spanish copy of the Italian M35 tank crew helmet. It has a fairly typical design for the inter-war period, being made of leather, which is protective and durable but not as heavy as metal. The padding on the front protects the wearer’s face when their eye is up against a sight or vision slit. This helmet offers no ballistic protection, but the greater danger for tank crews was hitting their head on something inside the tank. For this it was ideal.

The Vickers A1E1 Independent gets some fresh air during the building of the ‘Warhorse to Horsepower’ exhibition in 2014. This unique tank is 7.77m (25’6’’) long and 2.74m (9’) tall. Developed from a 1922 specification, the Independent was built in 1926. Only one was ever made, partly because it was too expensive and partly because testing revealed numerous flaws and faults.

Less than one day left to bid on a ride in Tiger 131, at Tiger Day X. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192596620926†¦

The Tank Museum has the largest collection of First World War Tanks in the world. See them and much more at Amiens 100, 8 August.

See the full JS III video here https://youtu.be/EdkJlTSIMYU

Listen to that engine. See Tiger 131 run for the last time in 2018 http://tankmuseum.org/whats-on/events/bov evt64446

All four Victoria Crosses won by the Tank Corps during the First World War, will be displayed together for the first time ever in a new exhibition at The Tank Museum, open in time for Amiens 100. The Victoria Cross is the highest British award for gallantry. http://tankmuseum.org/year-news/bovnews66 031

Without doubt a fantastic place to go. I love the place & go at least once a year. There is so much to see & do it is a ‘must go to’ place. Tankfest is simply awesome & the icing on the cake for the museum. Thanks to all the staff & volunteers who make the Tank Museum the place it is.

Went to Tankfest preview day yesterday - absolutely fantastic - we bought a three day event ticket and are sadly having to go home today due to ill health, but what we say yesterday was great. We were really impressed by the museum itself. Well organised event. Can’t recommend highly enough. Just hope I feel better soon 😢

Well laid out and presented, all the staff were knowledgeable and cheerful. Some people may think admission is expensive but I thought it was great value for money. And I would definitely visit again.

Was there for tankfest on Saturday and yet again another amazing display of armour for everyone to enjoy with some special guest tanks to boot. Loved the IS 3 and the Char 1b would be we nice editions to the museum one day... Looking forward to my next visit in the near future. Fab day out...

Was there for tank fest18 (1000+ mile round trip). Excellently 2 days with lots to see and do. Excellent staff and with this years changes a much better experience. Would recommend a visit to anyone and would visit again.

Very good w-e Tankfest 2018. I thought the museum was bigger than Saumur but not. The véhicules are more placed « in the light »

This is a fantastic place to visit. The collection of military vehicles is outstanding and well presented. Worthwhile for any enthusiast or first timer alike.

Tankfest 2018 was amazing this year. I booked tickets for both Saturday and Sunday, leaving tired, dusty and bathed in diesel fumes. Money and time well spent.

Keep up the good work.

Tank fest was amazing!!!!

Had a fantastic weekend.

And having the family area was perfect as my boy (3) really enjoyed it ...

Just needed more walk round checks as people with no children was going around the marshals an under rope!!

Will definitely be back next year..

Thanks you for a great weekend .

Some people would say that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. Those people are wrong. The Tank Museum is the happiest place or at least for an autistic history nerd like myself



I went for TankFest and I loved it. Maybe I will return one day

Myself and my 12 year old son travelled down from Yorkshire for the 2018 Tankfest. Have to say, I’ve been to a lot of museums and we have a good selection in Yorks, but wow, this was unbelievable. If you want to see a wide selection from WW1 onwards, then here is the best place to come. If you want to see the tanks perform and I mean perform, then look out for the next Tankfest as it will blow your mind and your kids.

Lovely place to visit with the family lots to keep all ages happy and the arena mock battles are fun to watch. Makes one realise just what our soldiers do to protect ourselves which sometimes some forget.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day in Bovington Tank Museum. I saw and was able to actually touch some iconic hardwear, such as The Tiger Tank. The countryside around the area is gorgeous. My only critiscism was a lack of seating in shaded areas, it was a very hot day. In all other ways it was very good.

Haven't been to the tank museum in over 35 years, still as good as I remember it.... Then add on the tanks that have arrived since then and its a winner.... Add to that #Tankfest and you will not be disappointed!

Great day out, very good exhibits plenty to see.

Decent prices and service in the restaurant.

Soft playing area great for the kids.

Brilliant museum, well laid out, informative and packed full of tanks! Being able to see so many of them running at Tankfest was a brilliant experience

Brilliant day out was sad to hear there is only one mark 1 tank left in the world!!! She needs taking care off!!! My two boys loved the outdoor action display outside in your areana really good full of so much history. We also like your trenches section can't image what life would have been like for the soilders but it sure have you a feel of it...a big thankyou to all the soilders and people who help out there marvelous job!!!

Amazing day out didn’t get to see all of the stuff there need to visit a few times to get it all in

A. Maze. Ing. A brilliant day out. All indoors, if the weather is being a bit British, and plenty to see and experience. Particularly liked the WW1 trenches and WW1 tanks. Some of the exhibits needed a bit more space if anything, even though the place is already massive. Plenty of loos for an old f*rt like me.