Tankfest 2004,
The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset

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Tankfest is one of the major annual events for the Tank Museum at Bovington, in Dorset. There can be few better places than the "home" of the tank to see heavy armour in action. This year, 2004, saw something rather special. After a prolonged period of restoration, one of their most famous exhibits was run in public for the first time in some 60 years. The Tiger 1, perhaps their most well know exhibit, was driven around the area. It was accompanied by an equally well restored Panzer III. Both of them have been restored both inside and out.

  Being home to the RAC (Royal Armoured Corps), a Challenger 2 was on show from the Army Trials and Development Unit, complete with the extra side armour packs, lower skirting and exhaust shrouds which we normally only get to see on the news footage from Iraq. Modellers would have found this a very useful day to get some close up views of these additional fittings, and I include a few photos of it in this feature. 
Challenger 2 in the arena, and paused to demonstrate laying its' own smokescreen. Put diesel into the hot exhaust and the white smoke you see is generated very quickly. It continued to back into it and hide, before bursting out again at speed. A spirited display, and included the driver balancing it on the knife-edge in the arena and still managing to rotate the turret the full 360 degrees, without losing the point of balance. Below are more detail shots of the add-on armour and exhaust shrouds.
 
   
  The Panzer III from the museum, now beautifully restored to running condition, was originally captured at the Battle of Alam Halfa, in North Africa. My father, no longer with us unfortunately, fought throughout the desert campaign, and I can't help but wonder what his reaction would have been to seeing one of these coming towards him once again, and one he may even have seen during the war. In the picture above, cranking the handle to start the engine just prior to a run around the area.
Another African veteran, the Tiger remains an impressive sight, even if it can;t manage the speed and performance we see from the likes of the modern Challenger. It has been finished in an a well researched scheme, and the two colours I suspect will generate some more discussion for modellers.
 
  One of the vehicles which formed part of the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) display, and beautifully presented. Later on in the parking area the owners even removed the engine cover plate so we could get a good look at that as well.
 
  The AVRE above was having some engine problems, but the magnificant privately owned and restored Valentine DD was a delight to see close up.
The Warrior from the local driver training unit at Bovington gave a spirited run around the arena. 
 
  Above is the Weasel and a chance to get a good shot of the drivers position.

To the left you see Mark Hazzard and his Israeli jeep which was immaculately turned out as ever, and fully stowed. 

©Robin Buckland, 2004