Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Share #1 Posted July 1, 2013 Britain's famous "Tank Museum" at Bovington, Dorset, is generally regarded as the world's finest collection of vintage armoured vehicles and is at the cutting edge of armour conservation....after all, it is literally the "home" of the tank, which was first invented and trialled here back in WW1. Recent years have seen major developments on the site with new buildings added and the visitor experience enhanced. The newest building is the Vehicle Conservation Centre which will officially open to the public in September. Apart from increased exhibition space, this new display area will also allow the public to observe the museum's skilled conservation engineers at work restoring and maintaining vintage armoured vehicles. There is a program of events all year round at the museum, but the highlight is the annual "Tankfest", when the museum can let loose its many runners in the arena. There's nothing quite like getting close up and personal with the noise, smell and dust of armour on the move...especially when Tiger 131 struts its stuff! I attended this year's event under clear blue English summer skies last weekend. Apart from the stars of the show...the tanks...there was much else to see such as re-enactor displays, trade areas, demonstrations, plus the attractions of the museum itself. As this is a US militaria forum, I'll focus primarily on the various US exhibits which were to be seen. However, in order to convey the flavour of the event as a whole I'll also include some shots which give the bigger picture. (Please note. If you open this thread whilst I'm still uploading,please bear with me as I have a lot of images to go through! Thank you) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted July 1, 2013 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted July 1, 2013 Cont'd.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted July 1, 2013 Cont'd.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted July 1, 2013 Mrs Sabrejet at the main entrance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted July 1, 2013 View from the gallery....a Sherman Firefly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted July 1, 2013 M-48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted July 1, 2013 Sherman DD, as used on D-Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted July 1, 2013 Cont'd.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted July 1, 2013 Firefly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted July 1, 2013 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted July 1, 2013 M48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted July 1, 2013 How to scare the commies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted July 1, 2013 The very first M4 delivered to Britain under lend-lease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted July 1, 2013 Achilles TD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted July 1, 2013 Ex Brazilian Army M3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #20 Posted July 1, 2013 Sherman Flail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #21 Posted July 1, 2013 M5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #22 Posted July 1, 2013 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #23 Posted July 1, 2013 Yours truly with Tank #1..."Little Willie" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #24 Posted July 1, 2013 OK...let's go outside! Tiger 131 on the move!! (the world's only complete running Tiger) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share #25 Posted July 1, 2013 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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