Just a year after we launched the fundraising campaign to revive our M47 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 armour.
The M47 Patton has been fully restored following a public appeal to raise the £50,000 that was required to return it to full running order. It was unveiled at TANKFEST 2025 in front of 24,000 visitors from around the world at The Tank Museum.
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 purchased the M47 he crewed when serving in the Austrian military.
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.”
