Help us raise £1,000,000 to restore King Tiger V2 to running condition!
We’re launching our most ambitious restoration project ever – and we need your help to make it happen.
Our aim is to return the vehicle as close as we possibly can to the condition it was in when it fell into British hands.
It’s going to be a fascinating and challenging project – and we’re looking forward to sharing our journey with you online…
Fundraising Progress
TIERS OF SUPPORT
Up to £25
Thank you for your support, please donate via PayPal Giving Fund.
You can of course use PayPal to donate larger specific sums if you wish.
Bronze – £25
Donors will get their name on an online Roll of Honour supporter’s page, a digital certificate, and email updates during the restoration.
Silver – £250
All previous benefits, PLUS a printed certificate, a limited-edition commemorative souvenir*, your name on the tank when complete AND on a permanent donors display board in the Museum.
Gold – £1,000
All previous benefits, PLUS a special workshop tour* and place in a draw for a ride in the King Tiger after the restoration is complete.
Gift Aid It: If you are a UK Taxpayer, please Gift Aid your donation when prompted. It costs you nothing, but allows us to reclaim 25p for every £1 you donate.
*Details of these perks are being finalised. We will email these / publish these soon.
KTV2 – A Unique Survivor
King Tiger V2 is the oldest surviving King Tiger in existence. It was the second of 492 King Tigers to be built. That’s why it’s known as “V2”: the V is short for “Versuchs” which translates as “experimental” or “trial”.
It is the only surviving King Tiger to have been fitted with the pre-production turret.
Fifty of these had been built for an abandoned Porsche design. They were repurposed for use on the earliest King Tigers.
V2 was built in December 1943 and would spend its entire service life at the Henschel testing facility in Germany.
When this was overrun by Allied forces, V2 was found fully stowed and ready to fight – although we don’t believe it ever fired a shot in anger.
Join Us on Challenging & Fascinating Journey…
It’s our intention to complete the project as close as possible to V2’s original specification. Today, the vehicle is a shell. Some parts are in storage, but others are missing. Its original engine block survives, though without many components.
There is no record of a gearbox at all, but most of the connecting parts appear to be in place.
The project will be led by our Workshop team, supported by a range of carefully selected partners from across Europe.
We’ll use the project as a springboard for further research, to develop new skills, and train the next generation of heritage engineers – using external experts to guide us where necessary.
Plus… we’ll share our journey with you online – even the bits that don’t go to plan!
KTV2 Merch
What do I do if I want a different name on the tank/certificate/Roll of Honour?
All tiers will be able to amend the name they have on the tank, certificate, and webpage by contacting us here.
I want to give this as a gift, will I receive something physical in the post?
While you will get a certificate for a £250+ donation, this won’t be until later in the project. If you want something to accompany the donation, we recommend some of our special King Tiger V2 merch. Have a browse HERE.
How do I claim my additional access to the vehicle?
We will be arranging special days where the King Tiger V2 can be viewed by supporters, and we will be in touch with dates once they are confirmed.
The proceeds from this fundraising appeal will fund the King Tiger V2 (KTV2) project and any costs associated with it.
The project will be led by our workshop team, but we will use a range of carefully selected third-parties for services and consultation throughout.
Should the initial £1,000,000 target be exceeded, and in the event that the project is fully funded, we will apply any excess funds to other restoration/conservation projects on vehicles that belong to The Tank Museum.
Your name will be added to the KTV2 supporter’s webpage within 30 days of donations being processed.
Donor names applied to the exterior of KTV2 will be in place for a minimum of 5 years after the project is complete. The Donors Display board will be in place for a minimum of 10 years.
For Gold tier donators, there will be opportunities for special access to the KTV2 after the restoration is complete. These will be arranged at an appropriate time.
