The Tank Museum

Calling model makers!⁠

⁠Following the success of our last competition, we are delighted to announce that the Model Making competition will return for The South West Model show this Autumn, 14-15 September.

Enter here: https://tankmuseum.org/events/autumn-model-show

15 August 1944: Operation Dragoon begins with the landings of US VI Corps in Southern France. To effectively use their M8 Greyhounds and tanks, they form Task Force Butler. Butler’s speed punches through the Germany 19th Army and clears the way for the liberation of the French ports. Learn more about the vehicles here: https://youtu.be/wPbRkrF8Oh8

To celebrate the launch of the brand-new World War II Tank Spotter's Guide, we’ve teamed up with Osprey Publishing to give three lucky tank-fans the chance to win a copy of the book! This beautifully illustrated pocket guide is guaranteed to tell you all you need to know about some of the most iconic tanks of the Second World War.

Enter today by signing up to our mailing list, ends 22 August 2024: https://tankmuseum.org/ww2-tank-spotters-guide-competition

Guess the tank!

Caption Competition!

Check out this British Centurion Mark 3 of C Squadron 1 RTR, Commonwealth Division in Korea 1953. Throughout the Korean War the Centurion provided close and long-range support for Commonwealth troops, but never saw tank-on-tank combat.

For more: https://youtu.be/zuMz7-K-N4M

Guess the tank!

📸This photo hasn’t been edited; this is a genuine shot of the tank being washed.

Tanks and aircraft cooperate to great effect. Tanks are large targets vulnerable from the air, but fighters can effectively protect them, or bombers can destroy enemy positions to clear the way for armoured forces.

Learn more about Covenanters like this on our YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6j4aB5ekm0

By 1943 the Stuart was showing its age. Rather than phasing it out though, it was changed to the reconnaissance role. By removing the turret, it lowered the tank’s profile so it could hide more easily, while keeping the tank’s speed. Learn more about the Stuart on our YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=stuart+tank+museum

Despite the mixed record of British tank design during The Second World War, there were several very successful designs.

One of these was Matilda II. Its 78mm cast-steel armour made it near impervious to German guns in 1940. For more: https://youtu.be/ll90l2kWCbM

This pair of Panther tanks are a part of the reconnaissance platoon of the second battalion of the 5th SS Panzer Division ‘Wiking’ in Kovel, Poland. Their unusual camouflage scheme appears to be unique to this platoon.

Learn more about Panthers here: https://youtu.be/9rUocSj2dHc

😴Join us for the very first sleepover at The Tank Museum on 19th October!

This is a unique opportunity to sleep amongst the world's finest collection of armoured vehicles and discover the Museum after dark!

Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out: https://tankmuseum.org/events/sleepover

📅 On This Day!

9th August 1945: The Soviet invasion of Manchuria begins, with over five thousand tanks and a million men. The Japanese surrender on the 15th is partly caused by Soviet advances in this offensive. Shermans helped in this mobile war. Find out more: https://youtu.be/AetDM3fJVIE

💥NEW ON YOUTUBE

M-47 The dullest tank ever?

The US built M47 probably isn’t the most interesting tank in history – but it was a vital part of the NATOs Cold War tank force.

Rushed into production at the outbreak of the Korean War, it never saw active service with the US military and was quickly superseded by the M48.

But large numbers were supplied to US Allies around the world – with Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Jordan, Pakistan and Austria being among the most significant users.

Probably the most famous M47 crewman of all, Arnold Schwarzenegger, served on the tank during his National Service.

And now, we’re fundraising to our M47 tank running for TANKFEST 2025! 🎞️Watch: https://youtu.be/fZPwe41UVZE

Did you know that the M47 was the first tank operated by the newly reformed West German Bundeswehr from 1955? They received over 1,100.

Help us get the Museum's M47 running in time for TANKFEST 2025, and receive perks including your name on the turret!

https://tankmuseum.org/support-us/m47-fundraiser

🗓️ On This Day!

On 8th August 1918, The Tank Museum’s Mark V tank fought in the Battle of Amiens. It was commanded by 26 year old Harold Whittenbury who destroys German dugouts and machine gun posts, and even rams a farmhouse during the battle. He was be awarded the Military Cross. To learn about our Mark V: https://youtu.be/Lf6xMm0GVlw

Our Centurion has featured in many TANKFESTs, including in this striking shot from 2014.

Have you booked your tickets for 2025? Don’t miss out on the world’s biggest moving armour event.

Tickets: https://tankmuseum.org/events/tankfest/

📅On This Day!

7th August 1942: The Guadalcanal Campaign begins. The Americans supported by tanks like this M3, push the Japanese off the island by the 9th of February 1943, claiming a key forward base for the Allies. For more on the M3: https://youtu.be/0_hscohAH3Y

DYK we run exclusive free events just for Friends and Patrons, including talks and behind-the-scenes tours and you can even win a ride in a tank!

Become a Friend of The Tank Museum and receive lots of perks as well as the knowledge you are supporting a great cause of keeping military history alive!

Join us: https://tankmuseum.org/support-us/friends-of-the-tank-museum