Just a year after the Tank Museum launched a £50,000 fundraising campaign to revive its M47 Patton tank, the iconic Cold War-era vehicle roared back to life and wowed the crowds at TANKFEST 2025 – the world’s best display of historic moving armor. The vehicle was unveiled to 24,000 visitors from around the world at the museum in Bovington, Dorset.
The US-built M47 is an important part of the Cold War story and therefore a significant addition to the Tank Museum’s running collection. It also has a famous fan in Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served in one while in the Austrian military, later purchasing the tank he crewed.
Membership and Fundraising Officer Kevin Hygate said:
“We were all so thrilled when the M47 made its grand return in full running order at a gloriously sunny TANKFEST 2025!
“Engineer Matt Pyle, who headed the restoration, has done a fine job in helping save the life of what was once nearly a range-wreck. An achievement only made possible by the incredibly generous donations from our supporters.”
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Visit the Tank Museum’s website to find out more about how you can support its initiatives.