Final Push for M47 Tank Restoration Campaign

Thanks to a generous private donation, we’re now close to raising the £50,000 required to restore our M47 tank to running order. But we still need your help!

We announced in November 2024 that we were over half-way to our target for the campaign to restore our M47 Patton, a US-built Cold War era tank. Now, thanks to a donation of £15,000 from William Bannister, around £45,000 has been raised towards the £50,000 target.

Photo of person in overalls and mask spray painting the inside of a tank.
The engine bay of the M47 has been cleaned and painted.
Photo of a green tank on a mud track, with an audience in the background.
The Bannister Collection's Chaffee at TANKFEST 2024.

Head of Collections, Chris van Schaardenburgh said:

“We are hugely grateful for this generous donation towards the M47 restoration project. We have worked closely with William Bannister for many years. His collection of historic vehicles and support of the Museum’s Workshop and restoration projects has been invaluable.

“The Bannister Collection compliments our own running fleet of significant Second World War tanks, which allows The Tank Museum to put on shows like TANKFEST and Tiger Day.”

The restoration work is now well underway in the workshop of engineer Matthew Pyle, but the fundraising campaign continues, with a further £5,000 required to complete the project.

Photo of stripped-back tank in workshop, freshly painted red, with wheels removed.
The next step in Pyle’s workshop is reconditioning the wheel bearings

The M47 is expected to be in running condition ready for TANKFEST 2025.

Skip to content