Thousands of spectators witnessed two rare German Second World War Tiger tanks running together for the first time ever at a special display as part of TANKFEST 2025 at The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.
TANKFEST visitors eagerly awaiting their first glimpse the world’s only running King Tiger tank on loan from the Musée des Blindés were treated to a surprise display including Tiger 131
This unique event marks the first time the King Tiger from Musée des Blindés’, Saumur, France, has been to the UK – made possible thanks to the support of World of Tanks – and the first time a running Tiger I and Tiger II will have been seen in public together in eighty years.
The most feared tank of the Second World War, the German Tiger was heavily armoured and difficult to defeat. It struck terror into the hearts of Allied tank crews – notably captured in the 2014 Brad Pitt film ‘Fury’, which featured The Tank Museum’s Tiger 131.
Tiger 131 is the only running Tiger I tank in the world. It was the first Tiger to be captured intact by the Western Allies and was an important prize – considered iconic even then. To preserve this eighty-year-old vehicle, it is usually only seen out in the arena at twice yearly Tiger Day events, which attract 4000 visitors to The Tank Museum from around the world.
The Musée des Blindés’ vehicle was assembled from parts of different King Tigers captured by the Allies at the end of the Second World War. Its turret and part of its mechanics come from a command vehicle that saw action in Normandy in 1944.
Chris Price, Director of The Tank Museum said:
“To have the only running Tiger tanks in the world together in the UK in the first time, and to be able to display these iconic tanks in public for the first time since the Second World War is a significant historical event.
Our thanks go to TANKFEST sponsor World of Tanks and to Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France for making this possible.”
Nick Booth, Head of Curatorial Services at The Tank Museum said:
“Bringing the only running King Tiger tank in the world to the UK for the first time is a significant achievement, demonstrating the importance of our partnerships with international museums.”
“I’d like to thank our French colleagues and our Vehicle Collections Team for co-ordinating this important loan”
Tickets to TANKFEST 2025 are now sold out, but you can still enjoy the event from the comfort of your home via livestream on Sunday 29 June from 1.00pm.
