Bovington Tank Museum

[SG500]

I went on a trip to the Bovington Tank Museum yesterday which happened to cooincide with the Tiger day when they got the Tiger 1 tank out and put it through its paces in the arena. What a privalage to see it working and driving past only a few feet away!
http://www.tankmuseum.org/

I took a few photos, they don't really do the day justice so you'll just have to go there if you can make it. They really have got the most awesome display of AFV's.

Tiger photos.



Little Willie constructed in 1915



Tiger 2



Jadtiger with its 128mm gun



Can't remember what this one is but its in all the tank books.



17 pounder defeated by armour plate



More to follow...................

 

[SG500]

A selection of tank barrels numbered from 1-10, I've photographed the sign too which explains which is which.
The photo of the inside was of the biggest one!



Various photographs of 40mm littlejohn attachments.

 

[pointblank0]

I love Bovington tank museum. Probably my favorite museum.

 

[Slick]

You Brits should be proud of your museums. Some of the finest in the world.

Rick

 

[RichardB]

Hi Thanks for the pictures, I believe you attended Tiger day at Bovington, there is another in September that I as able to get tickets to, although i believe its all sold out now.

The barrel below the Jagdtiger is used to fire the 38cm Raketenwerfer 61, as used in the SturmTiger ....which would be best described as self propelled rocket launcher on Tiger I chassis - there are quite a few videos on youtube, if you search for Sturmtiger.

If anyone has a 38cm Rocket knocking around, possibly as a door step etc, please let me know and ill happily swap if for some wodges of cash

Bovington is an awesome museum, thanks for the pictures

Cheers
Rich

 

[SG500]

Hi Thanks for the pictures, I believe you attended Tiger day at Bovington, there is another in September that I as able to get tickets to, although i believe its all sold out now.

The barrel below the Jagdtiger is used to fire the 38cm Raketenwerfer 61, as used in the SturmTiger ....which would be best described as self propelled rocket launcher on Tiger I chassis - there are quite a few videos on youtube, if you search for Sturmtiger.

If anyone has a 38cm Rocket knocking around, possibly as a door step etc, please let me know and ill happily swap if for some wodges of cash

Bovington is an awesome museum, thanks for the pictures

Cheers
Rich

Thanks for the info on the 38cm Rich.
Just to clarify, the Tiger day yesterday was easy to get tickets for, we just showed up on the day, paid for entry to the museum and the display was held at 1.30pm in the arena. What did sell out were the premium tickets. Presumably these were more and if you were one of the lucky people (100 I think) you got a closer inspection/tour of the Tiger.
Seeing it drive past within a few feet was good enough for me, it certainly makes you realise how intimidating it would be on the battlefield.
Dave

 

[Snufkin]

A few more shots of the 38cm rocket launcher and one of the Tiger on a day out a couple of years back.



Tom.

 

[Snufkin]

And the Australian Sentinel, a tank with attitude. Only the Aussies could come up with such protection for the hull MG...





Tom.

 

[bazooka chris]

Hi guys

It wasn't a special tiger event day as such unlike there proper tiger days, it was them giving the tiger it's first test run since it's overhall. Getting it ready for there tank fest event later in the year think its June some time but could be wrong.

You didn't need any special tickets for they day, just normal museum entry and if you had been in before and declared gift aid you can return to the museum free of charge as many times as you like for a year Which I do all the time as it's just down the road from me.
But unfortunatly I couldn't make saturday as I had to help my Gf dad fit his new kitchen grrrrrrr.

From bazooka chris

 

[bazooka chris]

SPOTTER !!!!!!!!

what have you done to my Avater you (beeeeep) I know it's you as you got my primary school pic off my facebook a mate of mine had posted I will get you back lol.
trouble is I am posting this with my mobile phone, and won't be able to fire up the laptop to change it back until after work tomorrow you got me like a good'n.
I want my kermit the frog with the ak47 avatar back lol

from bazooka chris

 

[bazooka chris]

Right I have removed the spotter replacement avatar until I can sort it out after work as can't upload from my mobile.
Any forum members got any embarrasing pics of spotter please feel free to send them to me as I feel a new avatar coming on hehe

from bazooka chris

 

[blu97]

Hi RichardB, we got one lying around, but I think we keep it ourself.

 

[Fjordhouse]

It was a nice weekend, had fun at the museum, special when they started the Tiger, was nice to meet Dave, regards Ben

 

[Tony Williams]

Does anyone have any decent photos of the prototype Centurion?

A fellow author in Japan is looking for some.

 

[Dronic69]

I gather you are referring to the Mk 1 (A41)?

If so, unfortunately not as I was more focus on the "dark side" armor................

Here is one shot of Mk1 from the Museum:

From memory one of our forum members works there? Perhaps you could organise with them for photos.

Cheers
Drew

 

[RichardB]

I have 1000's of photos from Bovington it's very worth while a visit.... they now also have the German Elefant Tank destroyer there on loan, and have set up an exhibit of tigers including Tiger I (131) Tiger II Henschel turret, Tiger II wit Porsche Turret (shot trap), Jadgtiger, and of course the Elefant, based on the Tiger I Vk4501 chassis.

I urge anyone to visit as this is only the tip of an amazing place.
....and yes we do have a memeber that works (and plays) hard to keep these rare pieces of history running or in tip top condition

 

[Slick]

I believe this is a Mark 3, so not exactly what you're looking for. BUT, it is a major feat of engineering cutting in half like that. And may even provide reference to the differences after the prototype design was tweaked.

 

[Tony Williams]

Thank you gentlemen, it is many decades since I visited Bovington. The trouble is that it's too far for a day trip, so I would have to find some reason for staying in that part of the country...

 

[smle2009]

Thank you gentlemen, it is many decades since I visited Bovington. The trouble is that it's too far for a day trip, so I would have to find some reason for staying in that part of the country...

If you are looking for a reason,they do sell proper beer in the pubs in that neck of the woods :bigsmile:

 

[Dronic69]

Apart from the Tigers etc, one of the many other attractions was this 1920 armoured car - now that's a "Rolls-Royce"!!!

Cheers
Drew

BTW - Yep the local beers were great (not too warm either!!! Hahaha)