Panzer museum Thun (Switzerland)

[Fred]

You wont find references to this on any swiss tourist guides but there is a great tank museum the the town of Thun in central Switzerland. Its actually within an active army base but it is open to the public. On arrival at the gate, you will have to leave your passport for security and you will be escorted to the display by a soldier. I visited the display recently and found the staff to be very helpful.

They have about thirty vehicles, Panther, Sherman, T34, Jagdpanther, Panzer IV, Centurion, Hetzer, Flakpanzer 68, Centurion bridgelayer, T54, various MICVs and much more. They also have a king tiger but it is currently off site for restoration - to full running condition!

You can find out more at www.armeemuseum.ch or just google Panzermuseum Thun.

well worth a look
Fred

 

[StielGr]

Thanks for the info Fred.

Were you allowed to take pictures. If you have any please post a few.

Thanks
PC

 

[Fred]

Yes, I was allowed to take photographs, in fact I was allowed to climb all over the tanks. Try doing that in a British museum! I have lost the SD card with all my holiday pics but when I find it I will post some. The display is outdoors so dont go on a rainy day.

Fred

 

[Fred]

As promised...

 

[StielGr]

Thank you for the pictures Fred.

Is the 2nd one a Panther and the 3rd a Jagdpanther?

Such a shame that all the displays are outdoors. It can't be much good for them getting rained on, frozen, covered in snow and then baked in the sun.

PC

 

[Fred]

Yes, you are correct. The panther is actually in quite poor condition with hatches and decking replaced by steel plate but it looks good from ground level. The collection is maintained by the base staff and most exhibits seemed to be in good condition in spite of the weather. They are trying to secure an indoor venue but no success yet.

I would be happy to take the panther off their hands and keep it safely indoors in my shed!
Fred

 

[Fred]

a few more...