Tiger 131 at the Tank Museum, Bovington.
The world’s most famous tank will be rolling along on its tracks once more – exactly 75 years after it was captured.
Tiger 131 is the only working example of a Tiger I tank in the world and will be running around the arena at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, on April 28.
Tiger 131 – the world’s only working Tiger tank – seen at the Tank Museum’s Tiger Day in 2015.
Museum Curator David Willey said a significant amount of work goes into keeping the Tiger running and it is extremely fragile and liable to faults.
During the war it took 10 hours of maintenance for every hour the Tiger ran – now it takes the museum staff and engineers an astonishing 200 hours.
The Tiger tank was a formidable weapon introduced by the Nazis and the capture of 131 allowed the allies to understand exactly what had been unleashed.
Tiger 131 was captured 75 years ago when it was struck by a Churchill tank with a lucky shot that jammed its turret in the Tunisian desert in 1943 – prompting its crew to flee.
Troops inspecting Tiger 131 in North Africa
Such was its importance that Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI flew to North Africa to be pictured with it.
King George VI inspects Tiger 131
Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspects Tiger 131 after its capture in North Africa
The Tiger was taken at a place called Gueriat el Atach during an attack there by 2nd Battalion The Sherwood Foresters on 24 April.
It arrived at the Tank Museum in 1951 and in 1987 staff decided to restore it to running order.
A decade was spent overhauling the machine and in 1998 a £96,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund helped complete the task.
In 2001 it was thought the job was completed, but the engine blew up and it finally got going in 2003.
However, the amount of work required to keep this vintage machine running is extraordinary.
David Willey said: “To have this tank working after 75 years is testament to the skill, knowledge and dedication of our staff.
“We couldn’t have done any of this without the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, whose support has enabled tens of thousands of people to see this rare symbol of the Second World War in action.
“For the public to be able to see and hear this tank operating is really remarkable. Whenever we run the tank it attracts huge numbers.
“But for a lucky shot that jammed in the turret during the campaign in the north African desert it wouldn’t be here.
“This 75th anniversary is important, not least because the number of veterans who might have seen one of these in action is now dwindling to a very small number.
“It is pleasing however that many young people are interested and want to learn about the war.
“On this special anniversary we also have the Germans’ current battle tank – a Leopard II – which will be driving around so visitors will be able to compare the two.”
To book tickets for Tiger Day call the museum or buy online.
Notes to editors:
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 01202 534487
Nik Wyness | Head of Marketing | The Tank Museum | pr@tankmuseum.org | 01929 405 096 x234 | +44 7801099390
Roz Skellorn | Marketing@tankmuseum.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
ABOUT THE TANK MUSEUM
The Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset holds the national collection of tanks and brings the story of tanks and tank crews to life.
With over 300 tanks from 26 nations, The Tank Museum holds the finest and most historically significant collection of fighting armour in the world. These range from the world’s first ever tank, Little Willie, through to the British Army’s current Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2.
Eight powerful exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. As you explore the Museum’s seven large halls, you come face with face to face with tanks and hear incredible true stories from the last century.
The Tank Museum is an independent Museum and registered Charity.
