My visit to the Tank Museum! (Finally)

[langy71]

Some excellent pictures Steven, they seem to have had a 'shift' around since I last went, as the Challenger was on the 'half a bridge' that the Leopard 1 is now on, and the King Tiger was built into a smashed up building 'dio', maybe I'll have to arrange a visit again when I'm off during my 'birthday' week holiday...

It does look as though BobtheStug took the dog with him and let it have a good chew at the turret of the Sherman...

[Allen Dewire]

I just had a good look through Steven and they are some great pics!!! Thanks for that and may I suggest buying a dishwasher to get you through the year of hard labor...Just a thought...

Prost
Allen

[adt70hk]

@ Tim Marlow : The conservation centre is huge but you can only watch it from a platform unfortunally, it was open from 14:00 to 15:00h.

You now have the perfect excuse for going to TankFest, as they normally open up to conservation hall to allow people to wander around....

It's well worth a look because there a number of unique vehicles/prototypes in there. A most excellent excuse if you ask me!!

[Tim Marlow]

I first went to the Tank Museum around 1964 - my father, who was a WWII veteran, told me quite a bit about the tanks he had seen in action in Europe & especially pointed out a Dingo armoured car - he'd been wounded when his ran over a mine! I've been back many times & it has changed a lot over the years. Much more professional!
Dave

I went there first in about 1969. Different location then as well wasn’t it Dave? I seem to remember some smaller naval guns outside the entrance for the kids to play on? At that age I was one of them……

[BattleshipBob]

Hi guys,
This year the misses wanted to spend some of our vacation in the UK, and with the Tank Museum on my bucket list for decades - I told her I knew this amazing flower store in Bovington and soon we walked through the gates of 'The Tank Museum' :hugging-face: (We traveled by train to 'Wool' and walked about 30min to the museum).

I picked out some photos I shot - Enjoy!

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The Tiger I
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The Panther
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Panzer II Ausf L - Tiger II
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The Jagdtiger
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The Jagdpanther
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StuG III
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Some guy put his name on the tank, they are still investigating the incident...
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Panzer I
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- End of part I -

Not me too neat lol, very cheeky Steve but very good and how on earth did you do it!!

[boatman]

WELL Bob i should say Steven superimposed it on that stug OR did you go there an sneak in to put your mark on that stug as you are crazy about them LOL :rolling: :tongue-out3::smiling::smiling::smiling:

[KarlW]

Some changes since I was last there, I was 16 at the time so it wasn't yesterday.

[Waspie]

I worked at Bovington. I had free access to the tank museum - I mean! What a perk! Used to spend my time in search of Grubers 'little tank'. Never did find it but spent many an enjoyable time wandering around. The highlight for me was the sectioned tank. Split right down the middle so you could walk through it front to back!! Impressive.
Trouble was, and I regret now, was not actually appreciating it!!!

[Waspie]

I first went to the Tank Museum around 1964 - my father, who was a WWII veteran, told me quite a bit about the tanks he had seen in action in Europe & especially pointed out a Dingo armoured car - he'd been wounded when his ran over a mine! I've been back many times & it has changed a lot over the years. Much more professional!
Dave

The Tank Museum acquired a new director early 2000's. His remit was to turn the place around from the few low grade bits they had to a world class museum. He has certainly done that. Funds from all over the place, Gave the WW1 machines a section of their own and much much more.

[Tim Marlow]

I worked at Bovington. I had free access to the tank museum - I mean! What a perk! Used to spend my time in search of Grubers 'little tank'. Never did find it but spent many an enjoyable time wandering around. The highlight for me was the sectioned tank. Split right down the middle so you could walk through it front to back!! Impressive.
Trouble was, and I regret now, was not actually appreciating it!!!

Don’t think Bovington has an Skdfz 222? Might be wrong though.

[minitnkr]

Thanks for sharing some fine pics.

[KarlW]

I worked at Bovington. I had free access to the tank museum - I mean! What a perk! Used to spend my time in search of Grubers 'little tank'. Never did find it but spent many an enjoyable time wandering around. The highlight for me was the sectioned tank. Split right down the middle so you could walk through it front to back!! Impressive.
Trouble was, and I regret now, was not actually appreciating it!!!

My access was free as my dad was DSgt at the JLR across the road, also got into the garrison open days for free and was meant to get a go on the simulator but it never happened.
I must of spent two thirds of my summer in there.

[Waspie]

About ten or twelve years ago when the Tiger had its make over. The Armoured Base Repair Organisation, (ABRO), at Bovington, stripped it down to its last nut and bolt. The brief was, repaint, replace but don't repair any of the war damage. Engine went off to BMW for overhaul only to blow all the gaskets when fired up back at Bovi'. It, (the engine), then went off to Daimler Benz for overhaul - returned perfect! While the body was in repair, the whole known history of that vehicle was displayed around the work area. Crew, action it took part in. The internals had a good respray and all the wording for stowages etc were hand painted in German script. Very very impressive. Was a privilege watching the rebuild. It drove out the workshop under its own power. Awesome sound.

[Waspie]

My access was free as my dad was DSgt at the JLR across the road, also got into the garrison open days for free and was meant to get a go on the simulator but it never happened.
I must of spent two thirds of my summer in there.

Stanley Barracks as the JLR now is, (maybe was then). Now home to the RM's and their Viking tracked amphibious unit. As well as the RN and Army schools of recruiting.

[KarlW]

Stanley Barracks as the JLR now is, (maybe was then). Now home to the RM's and their Viking tracked amphibious unit. As well as the RN and Army schools of recruiting.

I think it was Stanley then, JLR for AAC and RMP as far as I remember.
(Others too.)