Every year for TANKFEST we bring you the star running vehicles from the Museum’s collection.
M47
The Tank Museum’s M47 spent its service life with the Italian Army from whom it was acquired 1987 – having nearly ended up as a range target. After a halted restoration in the 1990s, it is currently being restored, ready to run at TANKFEST 2025. Find out more HERE.
FV4005
The FV4005 was restored in time for its world debut at TANKFEST 2024. This 1940’s prototype was fitted with an 183mm L4A1 gun, the biggest ever to be fitted to a tank and was designed to defeat the new generation of Soviet heavy tanks.
M103
The United States produced the M103 in the early 1950s as a counter to the Soviet IS-3 and T10 heavy tanks. It was riddled with faults, and was almost immediately retired in favour of the M60. Our example is painted in the markings of the US Marine Corps and was donated by the United States Army.
Matilda I
Built to be slow but heavily armoured in order to support soldiers on foot, The Matilda I spearheaded the British attack at Arras. This vehicle was recovered from Otterburn firing range and was painstakingly restored by The Tank Museum Workshop over a period of three years. This is the world’s only running Matilda I.
Panzer III
The Panzer III was conceived in 1934 as the principal combat tank of the Panzer divisions. The Museum’s Panzer III went into action in the North African theatre of war and is believed to have been captured at the Battle of Alam Halfa.
Matilda II
The Matilda II was dominant in the Western Desert battlefield between the autumn of 1940 and the spring of 1941. The Matilda II first saw action at the Battle of Arras in 1940 and was the only British tank used throughout the Second World War. In North Africa the thick armour earned the Matilda II the nickname, ‘Queen of the Desert.’
Churchill III
The Churchill tank was a key British tank design of the period, seeing service in the Dieppe Raid, North Africa at El Alamein, Tunisia, Italy and North West Europe. On long-term loan from the Churchill Trust, this is the only running example of its kind in existence.
M4A2E8 Sherman ‘Fury’
The Sherman is the most prolific tank of the Second World War and played a crucial role on all fronts, in all theatres, by all Allied armies. This Sherman came to The Tank Museum in 1985 from the Defence Academy at Shivernham, and is the star of the 2014 film ‘Fury.’
Comet A34
Designed as an upgrade to the Cromwell tank, the Comet entered service in 1945 and conducted occupation duties in Germany. This vehicle is widely regarded as the best tank Britain produced during the Second World War.
T-72
The T-72 is the most widely used main battle tank in the world. It has been manufactured in six countries, is in service with the armies of 35 nations and has fought in all the major wars of the last 20 years.
Valentine
Designed by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd in 1938, this popular tank made a name for itself in the North African campaign and also served with the New Zealand forces Pacific and with Soviet troops on the Russian front.
