Hello There! I visited Bovington Tank museum recently, on the 'Tiger Day'. The weather was great and there were plenty of restored and moving vehicles and tanks to see, as well as many stationary exhibits.
The only real problem with such an event is that when there is always something going on in the main arena, there is little chance to view what is in the museum itself, without risking missing something from the main show.
This Dodge Command Car was immaculate! Plenty of little details were present, including the aerial mount, the complete tool rack on the back, map cases in the back seat and webbing straps across the doorways.
At the entrance to the museum is a memorial to those personnel who lost their lives, while on active service, since World War Two. Sadly there are far too many names on that memorial. There are also many conflicts since 1945, some that you may not even remember.
In the centre of the memorial is the following statement from Pericles. Something which is just as relevant today.
There were two kettenkrad on display, one of which was working in the arena. It was nice to see it working. According to the commentator this could work just as well without the front wheel.
This one had the markings of the fallschirmjager unit Ramcke.
Next a more common sight at military shows. A Daimler Dingo. I do like the smaller vehicles and my wargame forces both in the desert and Normandy have some of these in them.
This was a surprise to see. I do not know if it is the same vehicle but I saw the shell of a Grant tank about ten years ago, at a previous show. Never thought I would see a working one. While there is more space inside than a 'normal' tank, it is still cramped. It is very tall!
A M5A1 Stuart tank was also parked alongside the previous two vehicles. This was in American markings and was also a working vehicle.
Inside the restoration hangar was a prototype version of the Tiger II. The turret has already been removed as the museum intends to restore this to working order. I cannot remember if this has recently been procured by the museum or if it is the one they had on display. They have an appeal for £1,000,000 to complete the restoration.
In the background I saw a Sherman BARV. Further around the path I was able to get a better shot of it.
What appears to be a Crusader, ( I am not good at telling that from a Covananter), was tucked away in a hangar.
There were many kettenkrad on show, on the day.
My partner even found something to interest her, with a number of motorbike on display
Also a German Motorcycle combination.
As you can see there were a lot of little details on this combination.
A large variety of small arms and support weapons were also in evidence.
In the arena the displays included a vast variety of vehicles on show. Here is the kettenkrad I had photographed earlier, with the markings of the Fallschirmjager division Ramck.
Next, one of my personal favourites, a Daimler scout car.
This later version of the Stuart Tank did appear very small when driven alongside some of the larger exhibits. Especially the Grant tank!
This may well have been the Grant chassis and 'shell' I photographed a few years ago at the 'War & Peace Show' As you can see, it is now a runner!
This was also a runner, but before the demonstration, all these vehicles were parked alongside the arena.
After the World War Two vehicles, a number of more modern vehicles were displayed. including a Leopard 2 and recovery vehicle.
Then a re enactment of the combat which led to the capture of the Bovington Tiger tank was played out.
It was great to see a Matilda MkII in the ring as well. I have never seen one of those moving!
It was joined by a Panzer III.
A too and fro battle was shown, albeit in a relatively small area for practicality.
Obviously, the Tiger did appear noticeably larger to the other vehicles in the arena.
Overall it was a highly enjoyable day and the weather was moderate and managable. Usually it is difficult to see the exhibits in the museum as well as the demonstrations in the arena but with the outside building being open to view and wide walkways to the museum, it was easier to get to the museum and have a look around.
