Tankfest: A WW2 German Panther, two Russian T-34’s, a Sherman Firefly and a Japanese Ha-Go, will be among the rare and unusual guest vehicles taking part in arena displays at TANKFEST 2019.
“At TANKFEST The Tank Museum displays some of the finest running armour from its own collection,” said Curator David Willey. “What makes this event extra special is our ability to attract some amazingly rare guest armour. For many of our visitors this will be a first opportunity to see these vehicles running.”
For the first time at TANKFEST a WW2 German Panther tank, lent by the French Tank Museum, will be running as part of the arena displays. The Panther is considered to be one of the best tanks produced during the Second World War.
The restoration of the Panther and its transportation across the Channel has been generously funded by TANKFEST sponsors World of Tanks.
The iconic Russian T-34/85’s are coming from the Cobbaton Collection in Devon and private collector John Sanderson. John Sanderson’s T34-85, came off the production line in 1944 and is thought to have been damaged during the Battle for Prague and then went on to fight at the Battle for Berlin.
The Sherman Firefly comes from the Bastogne Barracks in Belgium, part of the War Heritage Institute. It was manufactured in the USA in 1942, delivered to Europe in 1943 and converted to a Firefly in early 1944. After the war, it was due to be scrapped, but avoided this fate and was recently restored to running order by the Museum.
Only two operational Ha-Go tanks exist in the world and this is the first time that one has ever run at TANKFEST. Around 2,300 of these tanks were manufactured by the Japanese Empire for the Second World War, less than 25 now survive and only two of them are in running order. The Ha-Go on display at TANKFEST is being kindly lent by Oliver Barnham.
The StuG III, Valentine DD and Centurion guest vehicles are all returning for TANKFEST 2019 and the Royal Netherlands Army are bringing the Cheetah PRTL and Boxer vehicles.
As well as an incredible line-up of guest vehicles, The Tank Museum’s extensive collection of historic moving armour will be on display alongside vehicles from The British Army.
TANKFEST 28 – 30 June, the biggest display of historic moving armour in the world, is an advance ticket only event. Visitors wanting to attend the event must buy their tickets in advance online. See The Tank Museum website for more details.
Buy your tickets here
ABOUT THE TANK MUSEUM
The Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset brings the story of tanks and tank crews to life.
With over 300 tanks from 26 nations, The Tank Museum holds the finest and most historically significant collection of fighting armour in the world. These range from the world’s first ever tank, Little Willie, through to the British Army’s current Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2.
Ten powerful exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. As you explore the Museum’s seven large halls, you come face with face to face with tanks and hear incredible true stories from the last century.
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